1. Fourteenth Annual π (Pi) Day Contest and Exhibition
Suffolk County Community College
Grant Campus
Mathematics Department
April 9th, 2011
Enter the Third annual π (Pi) Day Contest and Exhibition hosted at Suffolk County
Community College’s Grant Campus. This contest is jointly sponsored by the Grant
Campus Mathematics Department of Suffolk County Community College, the Math
Museum, Nassau County Association of Mathematics Supervisors, Nassau County
Mathematics Teachers Association and Suffolk County Mathematics Teachers
Association. The contest is built on a model developed by Bruce Waldner, Coordinator
of Mathematics K-12 for the Syosset Central School District and President of the New
York State Association of Mathematics Supervisors.
What is π (Pi) Day?
π (Pi) Day occurs on March 14 (that is , 3/14) and honors the special number 3.14… The
purpose of the day is to foster creativity in and the enjoyment of mathematics. π (Pi) Day
encourages students to participate in mathematics in imaginative, alternative ways.
Schools are encouraged to celebrate π (Pi) Day in their own way, including participation
in the π (Pi) Day contest which concludes with an exhibition of the entrants’ work from 2
PM to 5 PM on April 9, 2011 in the Health, Sports, Education/Convention Center.
Directions are included in this announcement package.
What is the contest’s theme?
This year’s theme is Mathematical Connections. Since math is involved in some way
with many different fields, contest entries must be developed in context of an area of
study such as art, language, technology, music, the humanities and, of course,
mathematics.
Who is eligible to enter the contest?
Students at various levels of learning are encouraged to participate. Each category will
be judged according to one of the four grade divisions:
Intermediate (I): Grades 4 – 5 Middle School (M): Grades 6 – 8
2. High School (H): Grades 9 -12 College (C): Undergraduate levels
How can you participate?
You may enter as an individual or as a group through your school. Create one or more
projects from any of the following three categories:
Posters Tessellations
Geometric Models Poetry
Math Board Games Computer Generated Art: Tessellations and Fractals
Your projects must be submitted to: Professor Andrea Blum, Mathematics Department,
Grant Campus, Suffolk Community College, Health, Sports, Education/Convention
Center, Crooked Hill Road, Brentwood, New York 11717-1092. Entries may be
submitted from March 28th to April 1st 2011. Along with your project(s) a typed list of
project entries must be submitted listing, the student’s first name, last name, grade
division, and project category. Each project must be accompanied by two copies of the
attached entry form signed by the student, parent, and, if it is sent as part of a school’s
entries, the sponsoring teacher’s signature. One copy must be attached to the project and
the other attached to the list of all entries submitted.
What are the contest’s guidelines?
Poster Contest: Subject must be related to the theme, “Mathematical
Connections” Must say “Pi Day 2011” somewhere on the
poster. Maximum size is 22” x 28”. All media will be
considered.
Geometric Model
Contest: A model of one of the five Platonic Solids or one of the
thirteen Archimedean Solids, Toroids for high school
Calculus students a Solid of Revolution for Calculus.
Judging criteria will include creative design and intricacy of
the model. Students are encouraged to incorporate these
models in creative combination/sculpture. Maximum size is
2’ x 2’ x 2’. For inspiration you may wish to check out the
Pavilion of Polyhedreality, www.georgehart.com.
Tessellation
Contest: Create your own tessellation, put this design on a poster,
and submit it along with a template. Maximum size 22” x
28” including mounting on a tagboard.
Math Board Games
Contest: Create your own math strategy game. Include instructions.
Games must be packaged in a sturdy box. Maximum size
3. is 2’x2’x2’. Decorate your sturdy box with an advertisement
for your game. Maximum size is 2’x2’x2’. Loose parts must
be packaged in an appropriate sized box and labeled.
Poetry
Contest: Poetry related to the theme “Mathematical Connections”,
may be written in rhyme or blank verse. Entries must be
typed on 8 ½” by 11” paper. They should not be mounted.
Computer Generated Art: Tessellations and Fractals
Contest: Create artwork by using a computer, including computer
software. Projects may include but will not be limited to
tessellations and fractals. Maximum size 22” x 28” including
mounting on a tagboard.
How do I enter the contest?
All entries must be accompanied by TWO official entry forms (photocopies are
permitted), which must be filled out completely. One copy must be attached to the
project and the other attached to a typed list of all entries submitted that lists the students
first name, last name, grade division, and project category. Entries without such forms
will not be judged. For safety of the students entering the contest, home information
will not be disclosed during the display of their work. All projects must follow the
contest guidelines and those that do not will be disqualified from the contest and will
not be displayed with the other projects.
Registration:
Schools must submit a $25.00 registration fee plus $5.00 for each entry submitted (group
projects will count as one entry). Check should be made payable to Treasurer, NCAMS.
Individual entries may be submitted from students whose schools are not participating.
The registration fee for such an individual is $10.00 for one entry, plus an additional
$5.00 for each additional entry by the same individual.
Judging
Judging of entries will take place prior to the exhibition. Pi Day Judges use the
previously outlined criteria and consider spelling, grammar and neatness of presentation.
Entries that do not follow the rules for a specific category may be disqualified. Any
category with less than 5 entries may be combined with any other category for judging
purposes. Any category with more than 25 entries may be divided into 2 sub-categories
with separate awards given. All acceptable entries will be on display on Saturday, April
9th 2011 from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. in the Health, Sports, Education/Convention
Center, Mathematics Department, Grant Campus, Suffolk Community College, Crooked
Hill Road, Brentwood, New York 11717-1092.
Return of Entries at the End of the Exhibit
4. Entries may be claimed by the entrants, parents, or their teacher on Saturday, April 9th
2011, no earlier than 4:00 P.M and no later than 4:30 P.M. Those unable to pick up
their exhibits on that date should make arrangements to pick them up from Monday to
Wednesday, April 11- 13, from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.. Please call Andrea Blum at
631-851-6913 ahead of time so that the proper arrangements can be made. Entries not
claimed by 5:00 P.M., Wednesday April 16 will be discarded. Suffolk Community
College and any of the listed sponsors are not liable for damages to projects during this
exposition.
Awards
Certificates of Participation will be awarded to all entrants. Certificates will be mailed to
the principal of the entrant’s school after the exhibit unless a sponsoring teacher from the
school picks up these certificates during the exhibit. A token prize will be awarded to
first place winners in each grade level division for each contest category. During the
exhibition, a celebration in honor of all the entrants will take place at 3:14 P.M. on April
9th. At that time, a ceremonial pie cutting will be held with refreshments.
Who is Involved?
This contest has been endorsed by:
Association of Teachers of Mathematics of New York City
Nassau County Association of Mathematics Supervisors
Nassau County Mathematics Teachers Association
Suffolk County Mathematics Teachers Association
United Federation of Teachers, Mathematics Teachers Committee
The Math Museum SUMMARY OF DATES
Last date for Receipt of Entries (NO EXCEPTIONS) Friday, April 1st , 2011
Include all the entry material as described in the 5:00 P.M.
preceding paragraphs, signed applications (2 copies),
typed list of all entries, and the registration check.
π (Pi) Day Exhibition Saturday, April 9th , 2011
Held at the Health, Sports, Education/Convention Center 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Mathematics Department, Grant Campus,
Suffolk Community College,
Crooked Hill Road, Brentwood, New York 11717-1092
Entry Returns Saturday, April 9th, 2011
Entries may be claimed by an entrant, parent, or teacher 4:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Monday to Wednesday, April 11 -13
2011, 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
SCCC PI DAY 2011 CONTACT PERSON:
Andrea Blum
Grant Campus Math Department
631-851-6913
bluma@sunysuffolk.edu
5. Health Sports and
Education
The Grant Campus, Brentwood:
The Health, Sports, Education/Convention Center
From the east or west take the Long Island Expressway to Exit 53.
Follow signs to Wicks Road.
Go south ½ mile on Wicks Road to campus entrance on right-hand side.
Proceed to building M on the above map. The best parking is available in
lot 5.
6. OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM
2011 π (Pi) Day Contest and Exhibition
Suffolk County Community College
Grant Campus
Mathematics Department
YOU MUST SUBMIT TWO COMPLETED COPIES OF THIS FORM. PLEASE
PRINT OR TYPE.
Send to: Andrea Blum, Mathematics Department, Grant Campus, Suffolk Community College, Health,
Sports, Education/Convention Center, Crooked Hill Road, Brentwood, New York 11717-1092.
• Additional forms and information may be downloaded from www.nassaumath.com.
• Wherever possible, tape one copy of the application to back of entry.
• A typed list of project entries listing, the student’s first name, last name, grade division, and project
category.
• Check payable to Treasurer, NCAMS to cover registration fees must accompany entries.
• Deadline for receipt of entries is Friday, April 1, 2011 at 5 P.M.
ENTRY: Please check one: _______________ Individual ________________ Group
(Please attach additional names to both copies of the application)
GRADE DIVISION : Circle One Intermediate (4-5) Middle School (6-8)
High School (9 -12) College (Undergraduate)
Category: (Choose one category only)
______ Poster _____ Tesselation _____ Geometric Model
_____ Poetry ____ Math Game _____ Computer Generated Art
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY or Type
Student’s Name ________________________ Teacher’s Name Dr. Mr. Ms. ____________________
Make certain to attach names of all group members.
Grade _______ Age ________ Teacher’s E-mail __________________@_________
Home Address __________________________ Principal’s Name Dr. Mr. Ms.__________________
_______________________________________ School (FULL NAME)_________________________
City ______________ State ____Zip ________ School Address_______________________________
Telephone (_____) _______________________ City ______________ State ____Zip ________
E-Mail __________________@_________ School Telephone (_____) ________________
I (we) affirm that this is my own original work. I grant Suffolk Community College or any of the listed sponsors of this contest permission to use my work
in ways deemed appropriate (web-site postings, postcards, notecards, publications, T-shirts, mugs, etc.). I also agree to allow my work to be displayed
during the scheduled exhibit as outlined in the contest rules. Submission of work constitutes acceptance of the above conditions. Suffolk Community
College and Pi Day sponsors can make no guarantee against damage or loss of entrant’s property. I understand that entries not picked up according to the
rules of this contest by Wednesday, may 14 will be discarded.
_____________________________________________ _________________________________________ _____________________________________
Applicant’s signature Parent/Guardian’s signature Teacher’s signature
On the back of this page, please describe your entry: what instruments or techniques you used: what inspired you: etc.