Math Circles of Chicago

08/26/2026

🎉 2026 Fall Hub Lottery is OPEN! 🍂📚

Ready for an amazing fall of math? Scan the QR code to register! 🧮

Or sign up here: https://www.mathcirclesofchicago.org/register 💙

08/24/2026

Get ready for the Woodlawn Citywide Math Festival at Metrosquash on September 5th!🩵🧡💚

Math Circles of Chicago is hosting a free day of puzzles, games, and brain teasers for K-8th graders and their families. Come solve problems, have fun, and move around with us - don't forget your athletic shoes! 👟

Spots are free, so sign up here today (walk-ins are welcome too): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNTnNT8ppuJ_LbjTCjJa3naOk0iUIMiF8IPT0l9cskUSc60A/viewform

📍 MetroSquash, 6100 S Cottage Grove Ave | 🗓️ Sat, Sept 5th

08/20/2026

💙❤️Calling all Chicagoland 3rd-8th grade teachers!❤️💙

For the second year running, MC2 is teaming up with the Chicago Cubs to bring math to Wrigley Field on 9/11🏟️

This fall, we're inviting classrooms across Chicagoland to kick off the new school year with puzzles and minds-on math activities, followed by a great afternoon of watching the Cubs take on the Pittsburgh Pirates ⚾️

Perfect for teachers looking to make learning memorable. Space fills up fast, so don't wait to lock in your spot 🎟️

Details on dates, times, and how to grab tickets are on the flyer below! 🗓️

Questions about booking a larger group? Reach out to the Cubs team directly with the contact info on the flyer.

08/19/2026

The August newsletter is here! ☀️

This month: MC2 Fall Hub registration is open🎉(with a brand-new location at Chicago State!), our free Woodlawn citywide Math Festival at Metrosquash on 9/5 🧮, and we're heading back to Wrigley Field for Cubs Fall Education Day on 9/11 ⚾️

📩 Dive into the full August newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/mathcirclesofchicago/mc2-august-newsletter-260818

🗓️ See all our upcoming events:
https://www.mathcirclesofchicago.org/events

08/13/2026

🎉 Come hang with Math Circles of Chicago! 🧮✨
Join us at the **Greater Together Block Party & Back-to-School Bash** for fun, community, and amazing math! 💙💚🧡

📅 Friday, Aug. 14 | 3–7 PM
📍 7200 S. Ingleside Ave.

Come say hello and learn more about MC²! 🥳

08/11/2026

Come hang with Math Circles of Chicago at the Eckhart Park Farmers Market! Join us for some fun, prizes, & to learn more about MC2!
📅 Saturday, Aug. 15 & 29 | 9 AM–1 PM
📍 1330 W Chicago Ave Chicago, IL

08/05/2026

Big news! 🎉

We're honored to be a 2026 STEM Action Grant Recipient from the Society for Science! 💙🧡💚

This award will help us expand hands-on math and STEM opportunities for Chicago students through our Summer Camps, After-School Programs, and Hubs.

Thank you for believing in our mission to make amazing math accessible to every kid. 📚➕✨

Scan the QR Code or follow the link to read more:
https://www.societyforscience.org/blog/2026-stem-action-grants/

08/05/2026

🎉 We're excited to be at the 97th Annual Bud Billiken Parade!

Stop by our vendor space, say hello, enjoy some fun activities, and learn more about Math Circles of Chicago.

We can't wait to see you there! 💙🧡💚

08/01/2026

📣 We're excited to share this professional learning opportunity from UIC!

Join Christopher Danielson and fellow educators for From Answers to Aha!: Nurturing Curiosity & Number Sense, featuring engaging sessions for K–12 math teachers, coaches, and administrators.

🗓️ August 4–5 | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM CST
🗓️ August 10 | 8:30 AM–3:00 PM
✅ ISBE credit and professional development hours available.

Visit UIC's website for registration and session details. We hope you'll take advantage of this excellent learning opportunity!

07/31/2026

Sometimes, fewer goals lead to bigger impact.💙

See below how strategic planning helped Math Circles of Chicago grow while keeping students at the center of everything we do.📚

Math Circles of Chicago (MC2) served 8,600 children last year through math festivals, weekly math circles, and summer camps built entirely around enrichment, not tutoring or test prep.

That scale is recent, and it did not happen by accident. Before partnering with our team in 2024 on its third strategic plan, Executive Director Doug O'Roark was managing a plan with more than 100 milestones on it, a checklist so long it left him feeling like he was failing his board no matter what MC2 accomplished.

The plan we built together built clear and measurable goals the entire staff could name.

The results speak for themselves:
• Fundraising exceeded goal by 50%.
• Staff size nearly doubled.
• Summer camp enrollment grew 70% in a single year.
• A 2028 equity growth target was surpassed by more than 40% — years ahead of schedule.

We sat down with Doug to reflect on what changed after partnering with Morales Consult, how implementation has unfolded, and what advice he has for executive directors trying to turn a strategic plan into real organizational progress.

Read more: https://moralesconsultingllc.com/insights/fewer-goals-bigger-growth-math-circles-of-chicago-enrichment-at-scale-and-the-strategic-plan-behind-it