“Mathematics is not a creation of humanity; it exists there, always present in the trajectories of celestial bodies and the rhythms of nature, waiting for us to discover, explore, apply, and change this world.” — Ms Gong, Math Subject Leader

As the morning light began to shine, the auditorium of YCYW Beijing Yizhuang was filled with laughter and applause. A magician appeared holding a colourful Rubik's Cube, and with a flick of his fingers, the cube automatically disassembled and reassembled, finally forming a giant π symbol! "The math magic show is starting!" With the sound of the cube "clicking" to the ground, Ms Gong's laughter blended with the cheers: "Just like the Rubik's Cube has 43 quintillion combinations, the charm of mathematics always exceeds your imagination!"

While documenting this exciting π Day event, we also captured many unforgettable moments through our lens. Now, let's follow the students' footsteps and immerse ourselves in the joy and enthusiasm of the event. (video)

Fun Math Games: A Celebration for Puzzle Solvers

The game area was already packed. In front of the Luban lock booth, several boys were sweating, their fingers dancing like butterflies as they reassembled scattered wooden pieces into a precise geometric cage. "Got it!" With that exclamation, twelve wooden pieces suddenly clicked together to form a star-like symmetry, and the surrounding students applauded in admiration. Next booth, the tangram competition was even livelier—someone used seven pieces to create a moving butterfly, making their friends envious.

Sudoku, number sliding puzzles, and the "The Vanishing Square" race were like battlegrounds of speed and passion. The timer's red light flickered, and the participants' fingers moved like lightning, the sound of wooden blocks rubbing together was as intense as rain. Suddenly, someone completed the challenge in less than ten seconds, and after a half-second silence, the crowd erupted into applause. The champion's medal in the winner's arms reflected a spectrum of colours.

Mascot Universe: A Grand Celebration of Creativity

The surrounding booths in the hallway became the highlight of the event. Some students clutched the "Yew Yew Transforming Robot" tightly, while others proudly wore "Topology Cat" hairpins on their heads, showing off to their friends: "Look, this is a little pet that can do math!" The most popular items were the uniquely designed mascots turned into small backpacks, each one distinctive, each creative idea brought to life.

The warmest scene was at the "Everyone is a Designer" showcase wall. Teachers displayed dozens of design sketches together. Each designer searched for their own work among the surrounding booths, eager to share with friends, their faces beaming with pride. This celebration made every student believe: in the universe of mathematics, there are no supporting roles.

Literary Fantasia: When Formulas Grow Wings

In front of the math story wall for grades six to eight, a crowd of young fans gathered, with the student presenter sharing enthusiastically: "In this book, quadratic functions can predict the trajectories of interstellar travel, the golden ratio defines the beauty tax of the fairy kingdom, and even probability theory has become the creative engine for AI poets!"

As the pages turned, seventh grader Amelie's "The Math Journey of a Genius Girl" was particularly striking: "That mysterious genius girl understands that mathematics is not merely limited to simple calculations; it embodies a unique sense of symmetrical beauty that runs throughout the entire math system." This captivated readers, inviting them to follow the protagonist on a delightful math adventure.

The math teachers remarked that the students integrated the math concepts and knowledge they learned into their storytelling. In the process of creation, they internalized, understood, and applied the knowledge, sparking a collision with literature.

The Miracle of Math Modelling: Unveiling the Secrets of the Ferris Wheel's Ascent and Descent

During the Math Day, IG students transformed into mathematicians, explaining how they applied math tools to real-world scenarios by establishing a function that relates the height of a Ferris wheel to time using their knowledge of trigonometric functions. They chose the Tianjin Eye and the Singapore Flyer as their research subjects, combining the principles of uniform circular motion to derive the function that describes height changes over time. Using Geogebra for dynamic visualization, they revealed the impact of radius on the rate of height change.

From parameter definition to derivative calculation, the project demonstrated the comprehensive application of calculus and trigonometric functions. Through collaboration, the students completed data collection, formula derivation, and visualization. The project not only showcased the rigor of math modelling but also deeply integrated physics, engineering design, and data analysis tools. Through this transition from theory to practice, IG students proved that mathematics is the magical key to exploring the world and creating miracles.

The Ultimate Magic of Educational Philosophy

As the excitement of the event gradually faded, Ms Gong still cherished the storybook in his hands, stating, "Math has never promised us answers, but it has given students the courage to reconstruct the world." The celebration of π Day perfectly reflects the educational philosophy of YCYW: here, math is not a cold formula but the fireworks of thought; education is not the mere transportation of knowledge but the ignition of creativity. Just as the Rubik's Cube has infinite solutions, children's exploration of the world is always on the way.