Students and faculty at PennWest Edinboro will welcome hundreds of local high school students to campus on Thursday, March 19, for a Pi-themed celebration held in honor of National Pi Day, observed annually on March 14.

From 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Ross Hall, students from Erie and Crawford counties will participate in a variety of Pi-related activities, contests and interactive sessions. Highlights include Pi trivia, Pi memorization and recitation challenges, Tower of Hanoi demonstrations, a Rubik’s Cube challenge and a session titled “Putting the Pi in Python.” Students and faculty from PennWest’s Department of Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics will also host information sessions exploring careers in mathematics, actuarial science, statistics and data analytics.

The PennWest Edinboro Planetarium, located in the nearby Cooper Science Center, will present Pi-themed shows from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

“Pi Day gives students a chance to experience mathematics in a way that’s interactive, social and genuinely fun,” said Dr. Anne Quinn, professor of mathematics. “Whether they’re competing, solving puzzles or just exploring new ideas, we want them to see that math is creative, challenging and accessible.”

Quinn noted that the event often highlights students’ impressive talents and enthusiasm.

“We’re always amazed by the energy students bring,” Quinn said. “From reciting digits of Pi to tackling problem-solving challenges, they consistently show curiosity, focus and a willingness to try something new.”

The event is made possible through the Education Improvement Tax Credit program and managed by the Edinboro University Foundation.

“We have welcomed local students to campus in honor of Pi Day for more than a decade,” Quinn said. “These events are designed to be engaging and accessible, whether students already enjoy math or are discovering a new interest.”

Approximately 240 students from Cambridge Springs Junior/Senior High, Conneaut Area Senior High, Erie High, McDowell High, Union City High and Lincoln Junior/Senior High schools are expected to attend.