OVERVIEW
Math Circles have been active in Toronto for several years. While some of the students who attend simply like to work on challenging problems, many others use the weekly circles meetings to help them prepare for competitive mathematics contests, either individually or as members of a team. Some of the past participants in this program have gone on to represent Canada at the International Mathematical Olympiad, the most elite and prestigious of these competitions. Fields is committed to supporting students to take part in competitions outside of Toronto.

MEETINGS
The Fields Mathematics Circles sessions are open to high school students (grade 9 & 12) from throughout the Toronto area. Math Circles is held at the Fields Institute on Saturday afternoons. There are about 50 students participating on a weekly basis. There will be 10 to 12 sessions in the fall term (late September to early December) and another 10-12 in the winter-spring term, ending by mid-June.

HISTORY
The Math Circles concept was developed in Moscow in the 1950's as a way to maintain the interest of bright students in mathematics. Challenging material from outside the regular curriculum, as well as preparation for problem solving competitions were seen as the key to maintaining this interest. A critical component to the success of this concept was the active involvement of some of the major figures of the Moscow mathematical community. And, indeed, the Math Circles proved to be highly successful with similar groups established throughout the Soviet Union and beyond. The migration of former Soviet scientists to the West at the end of the twentieth century carried the concept to North America.