Countdown to Pi Day
This Saturday, nerds around the globe will rejoice as we celebrate what can only be called a once-in-a-lifetime event, “Pi Day of the Century.”
March 14th, or 3.14 is always called Pi Day. Over the past couple of years, I have written about Pi Day more than a couple of times, but this year, Pi Day is much more exciting. Because we are in the year 2015, Pi Day is officially 3.14.15. These are the first 5 digits of Pi. In addition, at 9:26 in the morning we can add 3 more numerals to our Pi, and 53 seconds later, we can add 2 more. That means that at 9:26 and 53 seconds this Saturday, March 14, 2015, we are taking Pi to 10 digits.
That’s right, it looks like this – 3.141592653.
It is unfortunate that this special day isn’t falling on a school day, but you can still celebrate this week or next. The number Pi doesn’t mean anything to young children, and we shouldn’t assume that it should. However, a lot of things that excite us as grown-ups can be cause for celebration even if they aren’t necessarily early childhood concepts.
You can explain to the children that Pi Day always comes in March on the 14th day. If you work with a calendar with any regularity, this concept shouldn’t be completely foreign to your children. You can also explain that March is the 3rd month of the year – and count the months; January 1, February 2, March 3, and so on. I would also explain that the number Pi sounds just like the pie we eat even though it is spelled differently.
For Pi Day, I would do a food activity where children can make their own mini-pies. Use a cupcake pan for mini-pies, and let them fill them with different fruit fillings. Read-made crusts can be rolled out and the children can use an upside-down glass to form the circular shapes needed for the bottom crust and the top.
It is as easy as Π.
I am celebrating this Saturday by going to a Pi Dinner Party. I am bringing mini mushroom pies with the shape of Pi cut into the crust. I imagine there are going to be a lot of creative Pi ideas, which I will photograph and share with you next week.
Until then, get excited, Pi Day is just around the corner.