Pi Day is an annually celebrated event that occurs on March 14th. Pi (π) is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant: the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, which is approximately 3.14. The day’s celebrations typically include pie eating and discussions about pi.
One of North Augusta High School’s teachers, Mrs. Caswell, has a traditionally notorious Pi Day celebration (pre-COVID). Every year, Mrs. Caswell assigns a Pi Day project where she gives her students four options to choose from to complete and receive a test grade:
Option 1) Make or buy a round cake or pie, decorate said item with pi symbols or digits of pi, measure the circumference and diameter, show the ratio of the circumference to the diameter, and compare your answer to pi.
Option 2) Write an eight-sentence song, rap, or poem with at least five facts about pi and recite it in front of the class.
Option 3) Design and wear a pi-themed t-shirt with at least five facts about pi throughout the class period.
Option 4) Memorize and recite in front of class (or write on the board) as many digits of pi that you can for credit. This is a particularly risky task because you can only get credit up to the point where you make a mistake or stop. You must have at least 45-50 digits of pi memorized to get 90 points.
“I think Pi Day gives a great opportunity for kids to apply math in a nonconventional way. It combines art with math which are two of my favorite subjects. Also, it gives a chance for the students to relax and eat some yummy pie that day,” says Mrs. Caswell.
However, due to COVID-19, there are some restrictions on those sharing their Pi Day creations. Students are no longer allowed to celebrate as they have in the past. In previous years, students could bring in and eat round snacks in honor of Pi Day. Despite restrictions, safe celebrations continue.Additionally, for some of our students, March 14th is not only a Pi Day celebration, but also a birthday celebration; Hannah Waterman, Joe DeLaughter, Hal Seymour, and Cody Anderson are a few of our students whose birthdays are on March 14th.
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