Take a Bite Out of These Pi Day Activities

Pi Day may not be a major holiday, but it’s a great excuse to make math feel engaging and relevant. With the right Pi Day activities, you can help your students explore where math comes from, how it’s used, and why it matters.

Whether you teach math or another subject, you can build background knowledge, reinforce K-12 math skills, and make learning a little more fun this March.

Jump to:

• Build background knowledge about Pi Day in social studies
• Uncover how Pi and other math concepts work in the world around us in STEM
• Combine literacy and math (and dessert!) in ELA

[Build background knowledge about Pi Day in social studies](id-ss)

Key takeaways:

• Pi day activities help students understand the history and purpose behind math concepts.
• Learning about pi supports foundational skills in geometry and measurement.
• Stories about math and science discoveries help students understand how the disciplines have evolved.

Pi Day gives you a chance to introduce even your youngest students to the history behind math traditions and the people who shaped them. 

By grounding Pi Day activities in a historical context, you can help students see math as meaningful, human, and connected to the world instead of just being numbers on the page.

What is Pi Day, and why do we celebrate it on March 14?

We celebrate Pi Day on March 14 because the date, 3/14, represents the first three digits of Pi. This tie-in helps you introduce the mathematical constant in a way even young students can understand. Exploring how Pi Day began helps students learn how mathematical ideas connect to everyday life.

These resources support background knowledge by explaining what pi represents, how we use it in math, and why it’s significant enough to have its own holiday. Use this lesson to:

• Share a video or article that explains what Pi Day is and why we celebrate it.
• Learn more about the constant pi and how we use it in math.
• Read about mathematicians' search for the accurate value of pi.

How did ancient mathematicians influence modern math and science?

Many concepts students learn today trace back to ancient civilizations, especially ancient Greece. Learning about early mathematicians and scientific tools helps students recognize that math is built over time through observation, experimentation, and problem-solving.

Use articles that give students historical context on topics like:

• The life and legacy of Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras.
• Hypatia, a female Greek mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher.
• The discovery of the Antikythera Mechanism, a complex device used to predict cosmic events like eclipses.

[Uncover how Pi and other math concepts work in the world around us in STEM](id-sci)

Key takeaways:

• Pi Day activities help students connect math concepts to the real world.
• Real-world examples strengthen understanding of patterns, data, and mathematical models.
• STEM-focused resources support conceptual math learning across grade bands.

Math concepts like pi, patterns, and number relationships show up in nature, science, and technology. These Pi Day activities help you connect abstract math ideas to real-world applications that students can observe, analyze, and discuss.

Where do math patterns and numbers appear in nature and science?

From plant growth to numerical sequences found in nature, math can help us explain how the world works. Introducing these examples teaches students that math is a tool for understanding natural systems, not just for solving equations!

Use these resources to build context and show students how scientists use mathematical thinking to identify patterns, make predictions, and explain real-world phenomena with topics like:

• Predicting the organic growth patterns of plants.
• How prime numbers show up in nature.
• The effects of motion-tracking cameras and analytics on NBA gameplay and roster construction.

How can videos make complex math ideas more accessible for students?

Using Newsela STEM with Generation Genius math videos helps you reinforce math standards while breaking down challenging concepts into clear, engaging explanations. Videos provide visual models that support conceptual understanding and make abstract ideas easier for students to grasp. 

Each video lesson also includes a 5E lesson plan, key vocabulary, and discussion questions to minimize the prep you need to do to bring these concepts to life for your students.

Try these video selections to tailor your instruction by grade band and reinforce key math skills for Pi Day learning:

K-2 Math:

• Place Value: Ones & Tens
• Place Value: Ones, Tens & Hundreds

3-5 Math:

• Introduction to Decimals (Tenths & Hundredths)
• Decimals to the Thousandths
• Solve Problems with Decimals (Using Models)

6-8 Math

• Irrational Numbers
• Area & Circumference of Circles
• Standard Algorithm with Decimals (All 4 Operations)

[Combine literacy and math (and dessert!) in ELA](id-ela)

Key takeaways:

• Pi Day activities can support ELA instruction while reinforcing math concepts.
• Food history provides engaging background knowledge that supports reading comprehension.
• Stories of real people show how math connects to culture, careers, and everyday life.

Pi Day isn’t just for STEM. It’s also an opportunity to build literacy skills while reinforcing math concepts. By anchoring reading and discussion in engaging topics like food, history, and real people, you can help students practice comprehension and analysis while keeping math front and center.

How can food make Pi Day lessons more engaging?

Turning Pi Day into “pie” day gives you an easy hook for building background knowledge through informational texts. Learning how familiar sweet treats became popular helps students practice reading for detail, cause, and effect, and historical context, while aligning with Pi Day themes. 

These resources let students explore the cultural and historical stories behind favorite desserts by:

• Reading up on the history of pumpkin pie.
• Discovering George Washington’s connection to the popularity of ice cream in America.
• Visiting Hansen’s Sno-Bliz shaved ice shop in New Orleans (virtually) to learn how snoballs are made.

Who are modern mathematicians and STEM leaders students should know?

Sharing stories of contemporary mathematicians and STEM leaders helps students see how math skills extend far beyond the classroom. These examples connect math to athletics, technology, and social impact. Share articles on topics like:

• How former NFL player John Urschel left professional sports for a career in math.
• How Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky is promoting STEM education.
• How Gladys West, a Black scientist, used math and computer calculations to create the military predecessor to GPS.

Keep the mathematical learning going with Newsela

Pi Day is just one moment in the school year, but the skills it helps students build last much longer. With Newsela’s subject products, you can keep students engaged year-round using timely, standards-aligned content across disciplines.

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