The Science Near Me blog is a partnership between Discover magazines and ScienceNearMe.org.
It’s almost March 14, better known as Pi Day – the only date on the calendar that resembles the first three digits of the mathematical constant, pi (π = 3.14). Not only does Pi Day give you a great excuse to eat pie, but it’s also a great time to learn and talk about math!
math is everywhere, whether you notice it or not. Engineers use math to build bridges and buildings, and programmers use it to design the apps we use every day on our devices. Even astronomers rely on math to explore distant planets and stars in space.
But you don’t have to be a scientist to appreciate the many ways math helps us shape the world and understand the universe. Science near mean interactive and customizable database full of science activities, offers people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to get involved.
On this Pi Day, check out some of these exciting math-related activities you can do in person and from the comfort of your home. Or, use Science Near Me to find more events in your area.
Pi Day Events
Of course, you can learn about math and science any day of the year. But Pi Day offers a special opportunity to get out and celebrate in a unique way!
March 14th also happens to be physicist Albert Einstein’s birthday, and what better way to celebrate than with a party? Astronomy at the rendezvous in Evanston, Illinois hosts a birthday party and Pi Day party at Five & Dime, where you can learn from astronomers about gravitational waves, black holes and more. There will also be quizzes and a raffle to win a pie.
(Credit: Astronomy on Tap Chicago)
If you are in the Washington, DC area, you can check out All-you-can-eat astronomy at the DC9 nightclub the Pi Day to learn more about collapsing stars and distant galaxies. Astronomers from NASA and the Space Telescope Science Institute will be there to discuss these topics, and admission is free.
Too far? No problem! There are Astronomy on Tap events in cities around the world – just use Science Near Me’s search function at the top of the homepageand filter those in your area.
You can also celebrate Pi Day by visiting your local museum or science center. Some have special exhibits and film screenings that highlight the many ways math shapes our daily lives. The Michigan Science Center, for example, is showing a film called Dream Big: Engineering Our World which features fascinating stories about the great engineering marvels of the world. The film is on view in their IMAX theater until March 15th.
Things to do at home
If the weather is bad or you just feel like staying home on Pi Day, there are plenty of activities you can do to keep you and your family busy.
Computer games may seem like pure entertainment, but there are actually some that can help machine learning scientists in their research! The Omega Cluster, a game developed by researchers at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, trains an AI algorithm as you play. This algorithm is used to detect potential new cancer treatments, and each turn helps it search for new possibilities faster.
Or, if you’re interested in an online activity that combines nature with math and technology, try BRUVNet. You can help scientists sort the images to train an AI algorithm to identify different species in Kakadu National Park in Australia.
If something more practical is what you’re looking for, check out the Techsplorers Home Project Kits. Designed for students aged 7 to 18, these kits contain the basics of electrical engineering through interactive projects. Learn how to build circuits, code basic electronic components and more!
Computer programming is also a fun way to learn a new skill and apply math to everyday life. Learning to code is easier than ever, with so many projects accessible to beginners. For example, kids ages 8-17 can learn the basics of coding languages like C++ and Python with Whizara’s live online classes taught by university students. And ImagiLabs makes learning Python easy with creative and accessible lessons.
Beyond Pi Day – Events all year round!
Pi Day only happens once a year, but opportunities to learn math and science come along all the time!
Science Near Me can help you identify activities in your area with our simple search function on the homepage. You can even search for events that happen within a certain time frame if you’re looking for something to do on a particular day or for a special occasion.
Many activities are also underway. So whenever you’re looking for something to do, a new adventure awaits!
If your organization offers events, projects or programs that invite the public to engage in STEM, add it to Science Near Me!