Pi
Pi Day
每年的3月14日，是世界圆周率日，是一个欣赏数学，体验数学的日子。学校也在3月15日举办了一年一度的Pi Day数学竞赛系列活动。从2012年开始，我们几乎每年都在Pi Day这一周举办这个数学盛宴。
Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th around the world. As part of annual tradition at THIS, the school hosts a Pi Day math competition to share our appreciation for the studies of mathematics and to allow students to experience it in a fun way.
今年中学部参与活动的人数超过往年，同学们报名更加踊跃，参与度很高。数学老师们为了这个活动的顺利举办，做了充分的准备工作。其中最主要的，是汇集既有挑战性又有趣味性的题目和活动，以及许多好吃的零食和水果，还有披萨饼，因为是Pi（派） Day！对于老师们来说，整个过程就像厨师在准备一顿可口的饭菜宴请宾客一般，令人兴奋不已。
This year, more students from the secondary school participated in the event than ever before. The math teachers worked hard planning for this event. It was to assemble challenging and interesting topics and activities, just like chefs preparing delicious meals for their guests.
Pi Day活动共有四个环节。第一个环节是个人竞赛，分为初中和高中两个部分。在这个环节中，同学们都高度集中精力，尽力解决一道又一道具有挑战性的问题。
The Pi Day Competition had four sessions. The first one was an individual competition divided by junior high and senior high school. In this session, everyone was highly focused and concentrated trying their best to solve a challenging problem.
接下来的三项以小组形式进行。在活动开始前，学生们早已相约和同学报名组成了四人小组。第二个环节，也就是小组赛第一场是数学趣味活动。各个组需要用牙签和胶在五分钟内建一个塔，越高越好。每个组都发挥自己的创造力和动手能力，搭出了形状各异的塔。最高的超过了60厘米高！
The rest of the three sessions were in the form of groups. Students long coordinated with their classmates and friends to form teams of four. Next, it was time for each group to build the tallest tower possible using toothpicks and glue in five minutes. Each group used their creativity and hands-on skills to build towers – all of different shapes. The tallest one was over 60 cm high!
第三个环节是小组数学竞赛，每个组的同学一起合作，解决问题。与个人赛安静的气氛不同，小组成员们或分工协作，或共同讨论，各种思维的交流和碰撞，解出题目的豁然开朗，许多同学时间到了还意犹未尽地讨论没有做出来的题目。
The third session was group competition with students working together to solve problems. Unlike the quiet atmosphere of the individual competition, the group members worked and discussed together, either through friendly exchange or through heated debate.
最后一个环节是快节奏的闪电战。 这一轮的气氛最热烈，是速度与激情的大比拼！每个小组一次得到一个题目，做出来正确答案得到下一题。同学们手中的笔在纸上飞速演算，十几位老师们高速地裁判，二十分钟过后，所有的小组都非常尽兴，在兴奋和笑声中结束了两个小时的比赛。
The last session was the fast-paced lightening round. The atmosphere of this round was the most enthusiastic, a round of speed and passion. Each group was given one question at a time and only with the correct answer was given the next question. All teams finished the two-hour Pi Day competition after 20 minutes.
最后，带着愉快的心情，大家分享了美味的水果零食，还有披萨饼～毕竟是Pi Day嘛！
Afterwards, everyone shared delicious fruit snacks and pizza pies. After all, it was Pi Day after all!
Pi Day
学/生/感/言
Student’s Words
与队友一起合作的感觉很棒，因为我们可以从对方的思维中学习。我很喜欢闪电战，我们在那里大刀阔斧地攻克难题。我最喜欢的部分还是做完数学题后可以享用香蕉和橙子，香蕉真的很好吃。团队合作让梦想成为现实。
It felt awesome working with teammates as we could learn from each other’s thinking. My favorite part was the bananas and the oranges after the math problems and I really enjoyed the bananas. Teamwork makes the dream work!
——Isabella Li, 8th grade
协同合作在数学中是必不可少的，它给我带来了意义非凡的经验。这一轮建筑比赛强调了数学的一个基本要素：创造力。通过欣赏和思考获胜者的建筑，我对同学们在制作建筑时的创造力和聪明才智感到惊奇和惊讶。
Collaboration is essential in Mathematics and is an important experience. The building round emphasized an essential element of math: creativity. Through learning and admiration of the winner’s building, I was amazed and surprised of their creativity and cleverness in making the building.
——Allan Zhao, 8th grade
Pi Day
老/师/的/话
Teachers’ Words
Pi日最令人难忘的场景之一是九年级的女生在闪电回合中的表现。这些问题很有挑战性，尤其是对新来的高中生来说，但是她们并没有放弃–在正确地解决了一个问题之后，我看到她们互相拍手，一起欢笑。解决一个困难的数学问题提供了无与伦比的成就感，而与你最好的朋友共同分享这份成就感则会将这种快乐带到一个完全不同的层次。这就是我们希望学生们在Pi日体验到的东西——它不是关于特立独行，而是关于通过集体的努力挑战自我的新高度。
One of the most memorable scenes on Pi Day was a group of 9th grade girls during lightening round. The problems were challenging, especially for new high schoolers, but they did not give up. After solving a problem correctly, I saw them clapping hands, and giving each high fives while sharing cheerful laughter. Solving a hard math problem provides an unparalleled sense of accomplishment, but sharing it with your best friends is just a whole other level! What we want the students to experience on Pi Day is instead of being the lone maverick, is how the collaborative effort can challenge them to new heights.
—— Yuqing Long, Math teacher
文字 Writing | Qin Jing
排版 Editing | Mercy Xu
图片 Pictures | THIS teachers，studio 35
审核 Auditing | Dieu-Anh Nguyen, Toni Dong, Wenping Li
本篇文章来源于微信公众号: 清华附中国际部
