Upcoming MC2 Events

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.

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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The MC2 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 19, 2025.

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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 10:00-11:00AM

Haynes-5/6 and Brahmagupta-7/8 10:00-11:15AM

Cantor-A1/G 10:00-11:30AM

Fall Dates: 9/13, 9/20, 10/4, 10/18, 11/1, 11/8

Project Exigent at Austin College & Career Academy

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

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

When: Saturdays, 10:30AM to 12PM

Fall Dates: 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/18, 10/25, 11/1

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

Cheng-3/4 1:00-2:00PM

Haynes-5/6 and Brahmagupta-7/8 1:00-2:15PM

Cantor-A1/G 1:00-2:30PM

Fall Dates: 9/14, 9/21, 10/5, 10/19, 11/2, 11/9

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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 1:00-2:00PM and also from 2:20-3:20PM

Haynes-5/6 and Brahmagupta-7/8 1:00-2:10PM and also from 2:20-3:30PM

Cantor-A1/G 1:00-2:30PM

Kovalevsky-A2/PC 1:00-3:00PM

Fall Dates: 9/13, 9/20, 10/4, 10/18, 11/1, 11/8

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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 1:00-2:00PM and also from 2:20-3:20PM

Haynes-5/6 and Brahmagupta-7/8 1:00-2:10PM and also from 2:20-3:30PM

Cantor-A1/G 1:00-2:30PM

Kovalevsky-A2/PC 1:00-3:00PM

Fall Dates: 9/13, 9/20, 10/4, 10/18, 11/1, 11/8

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

Cheng-3/4 5:00PM-6:00PM

Haynes-5/6 and Brahmagupta-7/8 5:00PM-6:15PM

Fall Dates:  9/18, 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/6, 11/13

Our new citywide festival will be held at MetroSquash in Woodlawn:

Festival Details:

Saturday, September 6th

1:00-2:30 PM

MetroSquash, 6100 S Cottage Grove Ave

Chicago, IL, 60637

Open to all 3rd - 8th graders!

Sign up here!

Learn more about this festival on our blog!

Math Circles of Chicago is seeking several assistants for our fall hub programs at Payton (Old Town), UChicago (Hyde Park), Back of the Yards College Prep (Back of the Yards), Austin College & Career Academy (Austin), Lane Tech (North Center), and FORA (West Rogers Park).

If you are interested in working as a teaching assistant in one of these locations, please complete the following application

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