Pi Day is almost here! It's a day educators from around the world celebrate the mathematical sign of Pi.
Why pi?
Pi fascinates the mathematical world because it represents a mathematical constant. No matter how big or little a circle is, the ratio of its circumference to its diameter -- or pi -- will always work out to be approximately 3.14159.
We say approximately because pi is also a number that continues infinitely without repetition or pattern. In fact, pi has been calculated to more than one trillion digits beyond its decimal point!
So Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th ... or 3/14 ... or the first three digits of Pi! Need another reason to celebrate March 14? It also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday.
Even if math isn't your thing and just has you going in pi-sized circles, you can still celebrate Pi Day with your kids.
Here are four ideas to get the Pi Day party started:
1. Bake a Pi(e)
You might not even realize it, but you're teaching your kiddos some important math fundamentals while following a recipe. Assuming your pie is round, you can also talk about fractions, circumference, and of course pi ... as you eat your pie. (Check out one of our favorite pie recipes!)
2. Hold a pi scavenger hunt
Have kids find items representing 3.14159... in order. So kids could gather three spoons, one plate, four crayons, one puzzle piece, five paper clips and nine pennies. Who can go the furthest down the infinite decimal line in a certain amount of time -- 3 minutes and 14 seconds perhaps?
3. Create circle art
Cut large circles out of paper, or simply use paper plates. Cut the circles in half or quarters (depending on how many people are participating). Have each person decorate their piece of the circle, then put them back together to make one-of-a-kind art.
4. Play a word game!
Have children think of as many words as they can that begin with the letters Pi. There's 1,158 of them, according to Merriam-Webster's Scrabble Word Finder Dictionary.
There are so many ways to celebrate Pi Day! No matter how you choose to celebrate, be sure it’s filled with numerical fun ... and some delicious pie.
Michelle Melnik is the publisher of Macaroni Kid Deerfield-Greenfield, Mass.
