On March 13th, the Hsi building hosted a Pi Day celebration for all teachers and students from grades 6 to 8 for the first time. This year's Pi Day event, themed "A Slice of Math, A World of Good," broke through traditions by integrating mathematical exploration with charity sales, creating a wonderful world full of intellectual sparks and warm kindness.

That afternoon, the Hsi building was transformed into a mathematical playground, as 24 classrooms had been meticulously decorated and filled with a variety of math games designed to challenge the students upon entry. This brand-new venue arrangement not only enhanced interactions between students from different grades but also provided the students with a more centralized and convenient environment for the Pi Day activities. At the beginning of the event, under the guidance of teachers, the students quickly immersed themselves in a variety of math games. There were the classic 2048 and 24-point games, as well as the extremely popular Sudoku and Tower of Hanoi. More challenging intellectual games included Matchstick Puzzle, the Watersort puzzle, Pi Memorization, Minesweeper, and the renowned Luban Lock Puzzle Knot. Multiplayer games like the Chinese strategy game Peg Solitaire, Rummikub and Tic-Tac-Toe also attracted many students. Each activity classroom was staffed with professional teachers or student volunteers who patiently explained the rules to the students and offered guidance when they encountered difficulties. After fully understanding the rules of the math games, the students were well-prepared and ready to take on the challenges.

Students from grades 6, 7, and 8, armed with their Pi Day Passports, freely moved through the diverse and fascinating mathematical world. After successfully completing the challenges, they received a number of stamps showing how many challenges they had completed. Ultimately, the top students on each class's stamp chart would later receive exquisite prizes such as mugs and card sleeves. The students actively participated, bravely faced challenges, and deployed a variety of interesting problem-solving methods, demonstrating their intelligence and teamwork skills.

This year's Pi Day event not only featured math games but also introduced a charity sale segment. During the second YD class, the fourth-floor corridor was transformed into a bustling charity market. This year's Pi Day charity sale was a collaboration with the Grade 8 Service Learning (SL) program, wherein four SL groups set up creative stalls on site: Katadog sold fruit pies and cute dolls, which proved to be popular purchases among students. Science Academy not only put math-themed products, such as folders and keychains, on display at their stall but also offered a variety of snacks and drinks, all of which proved to be popular selections; the Tutoring Group's ring toss game was a hit, attracting students into the bustling stall to compete to win prizes, which made for a very lively atmosphere; Finally, Primo brought many math-related merchandise items, like bookmarks, sticky notes and tote bags, and offered them at their stall. These items were not only practical but also designed with mathematical elements, making them highly popular among the students. At Primo's stall, there was also a lucky draw – the grand prize winner won a limited-edition hoodie, student-designed in collaboration with math teachers. The first prize was a Q-version photo of the math teachers with a personalized autograph. The lucky draw pushed the on-site atmosphere to new heights. Amidst this warm and cozy atmosphere, the six wonderful and touching pieces carefully prepared by the students of MFP added more warmth to the entire event. Three of the pieces were instrumental performances, with melodies that were either gentle and melodious or passionate and surging, showcasing the boundless charm of music. The other three songs, with beautiful and infectious voices, deeply touched everyone present and made everyone feel the warm light of art within the rational beauty of mathematics.

In the fourth-floor corridor, there was also a photography exhibition themed "Seeing Mathematics Through the Lens," displaying the students' works upon roll-up banners. These outstanding photographic works captured the various forms of mathematics in life from unique perspectives, not only adding an artistic atmosphere to the event but also allowing students to sense and appreciate the close connection between mathematics and life.

The rational beauty of mathematics is interwoven with the warm light of kindness. Through the Pi Day activities, students not only gained the wisdom of mathematics but also extended their kindness infinitely, like the value of π in practice. We look forward to the practice of cultivating kindness through mathematics continuing to take root and grow in our school!

Written by Xu Qinyou

Proofread by Chad Higgenbottom, Charlie Su

Pictures by 8-2 Christopher & 8-12 Tiger（G8 Photography SL group), Ginger Xu

Reviewed by Zheng Wenyin, Chenli Shen, Luo Cong