Today is a special day for math enthusiasts across the world - Pi Day! So named because the date - 3.14 - also represents the first three digits of pi, 2015's Pi Day is especially significant because it marks the once-in-a-century event where Pi Day falls on 3.14.15 - the continuation of pi's digits out to two more places. Mostly commonly taught to students as the ratio between a circle circumference and its diameter, pi has significance across mathematics disciplines and the natural world.
Pi is definitely not just about math, though. Here are three entrepreneurial Pi Day activities to try with your students:
1) Brainstorm new uses for the circular things around you. Pi is everywhere - from coasters to jar lids to plates, we encounter many circular things every day. Reimagine some of the circles around you - maybe that cork coaster could become a corkboard for photos, or maybe that jar lid could be used as a quirky, fun magnet! The possibilities are endless.
2) Create your own Pi Song. There's lots of great songs out there that are tributes to pi, or tools to help memorize more digits of pi. Try creating your own musical composition about pi - you can use free programs like GarageBand, Launchpad, and Beatwave to mix tunes in a new way. If you upload your song to the internet, who knows? Maybe it'll become a Pi Day classic.
3) Gather some data about "pi" - in the form of pie. It comes in all shapes, sizes, and flavors - who doesn't love pie? Get out there and learn from your customers - ask your neighbors, family, and friends about their pie preferences and lay the groundwork for a future pie sale. Pecan or pumpkin at the holidays? Strawberry for the 4th of July? Maybe you have a regional or local pie that people would love to buy. Do the research now and you'll be all set to start a business when the right season rolls around.
However you choose to celebrate, we hope you find a way to get excited about pi!
