GOUDREAU MUSEUM of MATHEMATICS in ART and SCIENCE

Thirteenth Annual

π(Pi) Day/Math Awareness Day Contest and Exhibition

Announced for April 29, 2006

Theme – ’06: The Perfect Year for Math

Enter the 13th annual π(Pi) Day/Math Awareness Day Exhibition contest!!!

This contest, sponsored by the Goudreau Museum of Mathematics, is designed to stimulate an interest in the creative possibilities of mathematics. The contest is built on a model developed by Bruce Waldner, District Mathematics Chairperson, Syosset Central School District.

What is π(Pi) Day/Math Awareness 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 enjoyment of mathematics. The Museum=s π(Pi) Day contest 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 all entrants= works on April 29, 2006, 12 - 4 pm, at the Goudreau Museum.

What is the contest=s theme?

This year=s theme is – ’06: A Perfect Year for Math. Since math is involved in some way with many different fields, contest entries must be developed in the context of an area of study such as art, language, technology, music, the humanities or, of course, mathematics. Entrants are encouraged to use their imagination to find a creative way in which to relate their project to this year’s theme.

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 three grade divisions:

Intermediate Grades 4 - 5

Middle School Grades 6 - 8

High School Grades 9 -12

How can you participate? You may enter on your own or through your school.

You may work as an individual or as part of a group.

Projects may be submitted in one of the following categories. Participants can submit more than

one entry if they choose (additional fees apply).

Essays / Math Puzzles / PowerPoint
Geometric Models / Poetry / Song Lyrics
Math Games / Posters / Tessellations

Submit your project to the Museum by the deadline date, Monday, March 20, 2006, no later than 5 pm.

Plan to attend the π(Pi) Day/Math Awareness Day Exhibition on Saturday, April 29, 2006, 12 - 4 pm.

Goudreau Museum of Mathematics, Herricks Community Center, 999 Herricks Road, Room 202, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

E-mail at or telephone 516-747-0777

What are the contest’s guidelines?

Essays: Each essay will be judged on its literary content and how it reflects the contest’s theme, ’06: A Perfect Year for Math. Essays should be original and between 200 and 300 words in length. They should be typed on 8½" x 11" paper. Do not include a cover.

Geometric Models: Models must be based upon one of the Platonic solids, Archimedean solids or toroids. Calculus students may enter a solid of revolution. Judging criteria will include creative design and the intricacy of the model. Maximum size is 2'x 2'x 2'. For inspiration you may wish to visit the Pavilion of Polyhedreality at www.georgehart.com.

Math Board Games: Create your own math strategy game. Include instructions. Games must be packaged inside a sturdy box. Maximum size is 2'x2'x2'. Decorate your sturdy box with an advertisement for your game.

Math Puzzles: Create your own complex mathematical puzzle. Be sure to include instructions, as well as the solution. Puzzles may be made of any medium. Maximum size is 2'x2'x2'. Loose parts must be packaged in an appropriate-sized box and labeled.

Poetry: Poetry related to the theme, ’06: A Perfect Year for Math, may be written in rhyme or in blank verse. Entries must be typed on 8½" x 11" paper. They should not be mounted.

Posters: Subject must be related to the theme, ’06: A Perfect Year for Math. Maximum size is 22" x 28". All media will be considered. Poster must mention p(Pi) Day 2006.

PowerPoint: Create a 3 – 5 minute computer-based presentation using Microsoft PowerPointTM. This presentation should be designed to be either self-running or to be advanced by the user and should be on the theme, ’06: A Perfect Year for Math. Submit your project on a 3½" disk or CD. Along with the electronic format, you must include a storyboard in handout view, 6 slides per page. Be sure to describe other effects that should appear on each slide (motion, sound, etc). The effects should not distract from the overall project.

Song Lyrics: Write song lyrics reflecting the contest’s theme, ’06: A Perfect Year for Math. The lyrics should be typed on 8½" x 11" paper and must be submitted along with a cassette or CD recording of the song. No microcassettes will be accepted.

Tessellations: Create an original space-filling geometric pattern or example of Islamic art. Look at the works of M. C. Escher, Islamic art, or quilt patterns for inspiration. Your design may be drawn, painted, or printed. A template for the tessellation must accompany your artwork, or for Islamic art, a description of your method. Size should be between 8.5” x 8.5” and 22" x 28".

How Do You Enter the Contest?

All entries must be accompanied by TWO entry forms (photocopies are permitted), which must be filled out completely. Projects without requested forms will not be judged. For the safety of our children, home information will not be disclosed during the display of their work.

Registration

Schools must submit a $25.00 registration fee plus $5.00 for each entry submitted (group projects count as one entry). 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 $5.00 for each additional entry.

Note: The participants’ TEACHER MUST include a TYPEWRITTEN LIST of the participants’ names. If this is not included, the Museum cannot be responsible for misspelled names.
Goudreau Museum of Mathematics, Herricks Community Center, 999 Herricks Road, Room 202, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

E-mail at or telephone 516-747-0777

Judging

Judging of entries will take place prior to the exhibition. Museum judges use the previously outlined criteria and also consider spelling, grammar and neatness of presentation. Entries that do not follow the rules for that category may be disqualified. Any category with fewer than 5 entries may be combined with another category for judging purposes. Any category with more than 25 entries may be divided into 2 sub-categories with separate awards given. All work must be proofread before submission as all entries will be displayed on Saturday, April 29th from noon to 4:00 pm in the Goudreau Museum of Mathematics, located in the Herricks Community Center, New Hyde Park.

Return of Entries at the End of the Exhibit

Entries may be claimed* by the entrants, their parents, or their teacher on Saturday, April 29th, NO EARLIER THAN 4:00PM AND NO LATER THAN 5:00PM. Those unable to pick up their exhibits on that date should make arrangements to pick them up from Monday - Wednesday, May 1 - 3, from 3-5 pm. Entries not kept by the Museum, nor claimed by the entrant, will be discarded.

*The Goudreau Museum reserves the right to hold selected winning projects as part of a display. All entrants must

sign the release on the entry forms.

Awards

Who is Involved?

This contest has been endorsed by:

Association of Teachers of Mathematics of New York City

Nassau County Mathematics Teachers Association

Nassau County Association of Mathematics Supervisors

Suffolk County Mathematics Teachers Association

United Federation of Teachers, Mathematics Teachers Committee

Please duplicate as needed.

OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM

2006 p(Pi) Day/Math Awareness Day Contest

‘06: A Perfect Year for Math

Sponsored by the Goudreau Museum of Mathematics in Art and Science

You must submit two completed copies of this form. Please print clearly or type.

Send to: Goudreau Museum of Mathematics, Herricks Community Center

999 Herricks Road, Room 202, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

·  Additional forms and information may be downloaded from www.mathmuseum.org/piday.htm

·  Wherever possible, tape one copy of application to back of entry.

·  Check (payable to the Goudreau Museum) to cover registration fees must accompany entries.

·  Deadline for receipt of entries is Monday, March 20, 2006 at 5 pm.

1. Entry (circle one) Individual or Group (Please attach an application for each group member.)

2. Division (circle one) Intermediate (4-5) Middle School (6-8) High School (9-12)

3. Category (choose one category only):

___Essays / ___Math Puzzles / ___PowerPoint
___Geometric Models / ___Poetry / ___Song Lyrics
___Math Games / ___Posters / ___Tessellations

4. Describe your entry. What instruments or techniques did you use; what inspired you to produce this particular work; the subject matter; etc. You may attach additional pages, if necessary.

______

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5. Please print clearly to prevent mistakes in the Exhibit Program

Student’s Name Teacher’s Name Dr. Mr. Ms.

(Attach applications for ALL group members.) First Last

Teacher’s E-Mail @

Grade

Home Address Principal’s Name Dr. Mr. Ms.

City State Zip First Last

School (FULL NAME)

Telephone ( ) School Address

City State Zip

E-Mail @ School Telephone ( )

I (we) affirm that this is my (our) own original work. I grant the Goudreau Museum of Mathematics permission to use my work in ways deemed appropriate (T-Shirts, notecards, publications, and by sponsors promoting the p(Pi) Day/Math Awareness Day Contest). The Goudreau Museum can make no guarantee against damage or loss of entrant’s property. All possible care is taken to safeguard work. Submission of work constitutes acceptance of the above conditions. Entries may be picked up on April 29 from 4 to 5 pm. Please call to make arrangements for pickup during the period May 1 – May 3 and the week beginning Monday, May 8. All work that is not claimed will be discarded.

6. *** Entries that do not follow the rules for that category may be disqualified. ***

______

Applicant Signature Parent/Guardian Signature

______

Teacher Signature