The Science Near Me blog is a partnership between Find out magazine 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). Pi Day not only gives you a great excuse to eat pie, but it’s also a great time to learn and talk about math!
It’s the math 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 mathematics to study planets and stars far out 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, customizable database full of science activities provides opportunities to engage people of all ages and backgrounds.
This Pi Day, check out some of these exciting math-related activities that 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 go out and celebrate in a unique way!
March 14 is also physicist Albert Einstein’s birthday, and what better way to celebrate than by throwing a party? Astronomy on Tap in Evanston, IL is hosting a birthday bash and Pi Day party at the Five & Dime, where you can learn from astronomers about gravitational waves, black holes, and more. There will also be trivia and a raffle to win a pie.
(Credit: Astronomy on Tap Chicago)
If you’re in the Washington, DC area, you can check out Astronomy on Tap at DC9 Nightclub on Pi Day to learn 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 away? No problem! There are Astronomy on Tap events at cities around the world – just use Science Near Me’s search function at the top of the home pageand filter for ones 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 mathematics shapes our everyday lives. The Michigan Science Center, for example, screens a film called Dream Big: Design Our World which features fascinating stories about the great engineering wonders of the world. The film is playing 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 yourself and your family engaged.
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 created by researchers at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, trains an AI algorithm as you play. This algorithm is used to discover potential new cancer treatments, and each round helps it find new opportunities faster.
Or, if you’re interested in an online activity that combines nature with math and technology, try BRUVNet. You can help scientists sort images to train an AI algorithm to identify different species in Australia’s Kakadu National Park.
If you’re looking for something more practical, check it out Techsplorers Home Project Kits. Designed for students ages 7–18, these kits cover the basics of electrical engineering through interactive projects. Learn how to build circuits, code basic electronics, 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 affordable projects for beginners. For example, kids ages 8-17 can learn the basics of coding languages like C++ and Python with Whizara live online lessons taught by students. And ImagiLabs makes learning Python easy with creative and accessible tutorials.
Beyond Pi Day – Events all year round!
Pi Day only comes once a year, but opportunities to learn more about math and science happen all the time!
Science Near Me can help you identify activities in your area with our simple search function on the home page. You can even search for events happening within a specific time period if you’re looking for something to do on a specific day or for a special occasion.
Lots of activities going on as well. 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 get involved in STEM, add it to Science Near Me!