Chapter 5: Creating Community-Responsive Math Circle Programs

This book is dedicated to discussing unique and rare outreach efforts that meet a community need, lead to deep engagement in mathematical problem-solving, and inspire future mathematicians. In order to contextualize how unique these efforts are, this chapter will summarize the state of existing Math Circle programs in the US and then look at this in context of one program (the Kittitas Valley Math Circle) that I have spent the last 5 years creating in Central Washington. The discussion of my experience with the Kittitas program will then provide an opportunity to discuss best practices in creating community-responsive outreach programs.