FAQ

Who can join the Chapel Hill Math Circle?

The Chapel Hill Math Circle is intended for students who like solving puzzles and challenging problems. For 2026-27, there are five groups: Mobius Noodles (for all ages), Beginners (grades 1 – 3), Elementary (grades 3 – 5), Intermediate (grades 5-8), and Advanced (grades 9-12). Anyone can sign up for Mobius Noodles, in addition to one of the other groups.

What does it cost to join?

The program is free.

Can I join now?

Yes, you can join anytime. Please register via CampDoc, as outlined on the Register page. Students are admitted on a first come, first served basis until capacity is reached. If the program is full when you register, you will be placed on a wait list and notified when space is available.

When and where does the Math Circle meet?

The Math Circle meets roughly 1-2 Saturday mornings per month during the school year. Check the calendar for meeting dates. All meetings are on UNC campus in Phillips Hall, usually in Phillips 206, 208, 224, and 220.

• Mobius Noodles: 9:15 am – 10:15 am in Phillips 206.
• Beginners Group: 10:30 am – 11:30 am in Phillips 208.
• Elementary Group: 10:30 am – 11:30 am in Phillips 206.
• Intermediate Group: 10:30 am – 12:00 noon in Phillips 224.
• Advanced Group: 10:30 am – 12:00 noon in Phillips 220.

Where is the best place to park on UNC campus?

There is visitor parking available in Swain Lot right across from Phillips Hall on weekends. Additional visitor parking is available in the Morehead Planetarium lot, a short walk from Phillips Hall. Most weeknight parking areas are available on Saturdays without a permit and usually without a fee. There are also public parking decks on Rosemary Street a few blocks away. Please allow extra time to find parking. Carpooling is encouraged. Classrooms are on the main level near the front entrance to Phillips Hall.

What materials do I need?

Students should have a pencil and paper available. Graph paper and colored pencils are often useful as well. If other materials are needed for a particular session, this will be announced in advance by email.

Who teaches the classes?

Maria Droujkova and Dmitri Droujkov of Natural Math teach Mobius Noodles. Dilip Barman from the Mathematics Institute of the Triangle teaches the Beginners Group. Dorian Varney, a current UNC undergraduate, leads the Elementary Group. Scott Hallyburton, a UNC math grad student, leads the Intermediate Group. UNC alum David Yavenditti leads the Advanced Group. UNC students and other volunteers assist in the classroom.

What if I have to miss a meeting?

Handouts for every session are posted on the calendar page for the current season. Attending regularly is best, but families are welcome to work through missed material at home.

How do I get on the email list?

Join the Chapel Hill Math Circle Google Group to get on the email list. Be sure to change the default setting of “No Email” to “All Email” or “Abridged” when you join.

I didn’t understand everything at the last session. Should I keep coming?

Definitely. The material presented at the meetings is often non-traditional and challenging — sometimes even for mathematicians. Understanding even 50% of what goes on is a lot. Regular attendance improves problem solving skills, and themes across sessions start to connect.

My child is mature for their grade and is several years ahead in math. Should they start in a higher-level group?

Many children in the program will be ahead of their grade level in math. Please have your child try the group for their grade level first. If a change is needed, please check with the director.

Can adults attend?

For the Mobius Noodles Group and the Beginners Group, one or more parents or other adults are expected to attend with their child. For the other groups, a few parent assistants are needed. Please reach out to Scott Hallyburton (scott_hallyburton@unc.edu) to volunteer on a regular basis. There is usually space in the classroom for parent observers who are not regular volunteers; please check with the lead instructor. Local teachers are always welcome to observe; please email for details.

How can I get involved as a volunteer?

UNC undergraduate and graduate students are needed to assist in all groups. All regular volunteers must complete a background check and training before working with minors. Please contact Scott Hallyburton at scott_hallyburton@unc.edu for details. An orientation meeting for volunteers is held on UNC campus, usually in Phillips 208, on a Saturday in August.

Parent volunteers are needed to help with administrative tasks including managing the waitlist, maintaining the website, and emailing local math teachers to advertise the program. If you can spare a few hours a month, please email scott_hallyburton@unc.edu. Parents are also welcome as classroom volunteers.

How can I make a donation?

Please contact Scott Hallyburton at scott_hallyburton@unc.edu for information on how to make a donation.

What are the benefits of attending a math circle?

Math circles expose students to new topics that are not typically covered at school. Regular attendees improve their problem solving skills as they wrestle with challenging problems that require deep thinking and creativity. A math circle is also a place for students to meet others with like minds and interests.

How is the Math Circle different from Mathcounts and Mathletes?

Mathcounts and Mathletes are programs that center on competitive, timed contests. Problem solving at the Math Circle is collaborative — students work on problems together with their friends. Instead of solving many unrelated problems, the Math Circle lets students explore new mathematical topics in depth. For example, one session may be entirely about 4-dimensional geometry; another about game theory.