Upcoming MC2 Events

10/22 Tilton STEM Elementary

10/28 Carnegie School

10/30 Dunne STEM Academy

Join us throughout the fall for a series of online talks from math educators at a variety of summer math programs for high school students.

• Nov 10, 2026 - Rick Sommer - Stanford University Mathematics Camp
• Nov 12, 2026 - Isaac Michael - Virtual Research Institute

Location: Online (Zoom / Google Meet Invitations to Follow)

‍Time: 7:00pm

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Chicago State University Rosalyn

Who: Haynes-5/6, Brahmagupta-7/8, Cantor (High School)

Where: Chicago State University, 9501 South King Drive

When: Saturdays, 10 to 11:30AM

Fall 2026 Dates: 10/17, 10/24, 11/7

The MC2 Karafiol Scholars are graduating high school seniors who will receive $2,000 scholarships towards their postsecondary studies in a STEM field. These grantees represent the most motivated, involved, and dedicated among our learners. They embody our mission to develop their mathematical power and build a sense of belonging in advanced math spaces as they set forth on their own mathematical pathway.

Applications must be received by no later than 11:59pm on October 26, 2026.

Lane Tech High School

Who: Cheng-3/4, Haynes-5/6, Brahmagupta-7/8

Where: Lane Tech High School, 2501 W. Addison St, Chicago, IL 60618

When: Thursdays

4:45PM-6:00PM

Fall 2026 Dates:  10/15, 10/22, 11/5

Payton High School

Who: Students in grades 3-12; All Program Levels

Where: Payton High School, 1034 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610

When: Saturdays

Cheng-3/4, Haynes-5/6  1:00-2:10PM and also from 2:20-3:30PM

Brahmagupta-7/8. Cantor- High School 1:00-2:30PM

Kovalevsky- Advanced High School 1:00-3:00PM

Fall 2026 Dates: 10/17, 10/24, 11/7, 11/14

UChicago Young Scholars Program (YSP)

Who: Students in grades 3-12; All Program levels

Where: University of Chicago, Eckhart Hall, 5734 S. University Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

When: Saturdays

Cheng-3/4, Haynes-5/6 1:00-2:10PM and also 2:20-3:30PM

Brahmagupta-7/8, Cantor (High School)1:00-2:30PM

Kovalevsky (Advanced High School) 1:00-3:00PM

Fall 2026 Dates: 10/17, 10/24, 11/7

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FORA: Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America

Who: Cheng-3/4, Haynes-5/6, Brahmagupta-7/8, Cantor-A1/G

Where: FORA

6435 N. California, Chicago, IL 60645

When: Sundays, 1:00-2:30PM

Fall Dates: 10/18, 10/25, 11/8

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Back of the Yards College Prep

Who: Cheng-3/4, Haynes-5/6, Brahmagupta-7/8, Cantor-A1/G

Where: Back of the Yards College Prep, 2111 W 47th St, Chicago, IL 60609

When: Saturdays

Cheng-3/4, Haynes-5/6 10:00-11:15AM

Brahmagupta-7/8, Cantor-High School 10:00-11:30AM

Fall 2026 Dates: 10/17, 10/24, 11/7

Project Exigent at Austin College & Career Academy

Who: Cheng-3/4, Haynes-5/6, Brahmagupta-7/8, Cantor-High School

‍Where: Austin College & Career Academy, 231 N. Pine St., Chicago, IL 60644

When: Saturdays, 10:30AM to 12PM

Fall 2026 Dates: 10/17, 10/24, 11/7

First come, first serve enrollment for winter math circles opens on December 1st.

Fall students in good standing (those who have attended 3+ sessions) will have the opportunity to re-enroll in November.

All of our sites will have their first winter session in January; February 5th is the final day to enroll for winter 2026.

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Note: We will no longer be holding an enrollment 'lottery'. Instead, current students will have the opportunity to re-enroll. Instructions for re-enrollment for current fall students will be shared at the end of October.

QED: MC2's Math Symposium

A citywide showcase where students present original math and computer science projects, explore ideas with mentors, and share their discoveries with the community.

QED (short for quod erat demonstrandum) is Math Circles of Chicago’s annual math symposium. It is a one-of-a-kind event where students present math and computer science projects they’ve created themselves. From playful puzzles to real-world applications and pure math research, QED empowers young people to think deeply, work creatively, and share their discoveries.

Each December, more than 100 students present their work to judges including math professors, graduate students, and educators. Participants get the chance to earn recognition, win prizes, qualify for the City STEM Fair, and connect with mentors who can guide their future studies.

QED Schedule 2026
8:15 - 9:00am           Check-in
9:00am                      Welcome Meeting
9:15am - 12:00pm   Judging of Projects
12:00pm                   Lunch
1:00pm                     Invited Speaker: Ashlyn Sparrow
1:45pm                     Awards Ceremony

Helpful links:

• Getting Started

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Getting help with a project:

• Get Help From an Advisor

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QED Prep and the Big Day

This document will give you instructions about formatting your QED paper, making a display board, and more. See the rubrics for our Junior/Intermediate and Senior Project levels, along with the rubric for Computer Science Projects.

• Project Guidelines

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Helping Out with QED

Graduate students, undergraduates, teachers, and math people in our community, we need you! Each year we need judges, administrative help, Guesstimathon runners, and more! If you'd like to volunteer to participate in making QED a reality, sign up now!

• Be a QED Volunteer

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Questions? Email us at qed@mathcirclesofchicago.org

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Please email your senior division paper to qed@mathcirclesofchicago.org by November 30, 2026 so that judges can review your paper ahead of the symposium on December 12.

Please email your junior or intermediate division paper to qed@mathcirclesofchicago.org by December 4, 2026 so that judges can review your paper ahead of the symposium on December 12.