DELAWARE STATE SENATE

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 14

RECOGNIZING MARCH 14, 2023, AS "PI DAY" IN DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, Pi, represented by the Greek letter π, is the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter; and

WHEREAS, the ratio of π is an irrational number, which will continue infinitely without repeating, and has been calculated to over 62.8 trillion digits; and

WHEREAS, π is a fundamental mathematical constant that has been studied throughout history and is central in mathematics, science, and engineering; and

WHEREAS, mathematics and science are a critical part of our children’s education; and

WHEREAS, aptitude in mathematics, science, and engineering is essential for a knowledge-based society; and

WHEREAS, according to the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (“TIMSS”) survey done by the National Center for Education Statistics, American children in the 4th and 8th grades were outperformed by students in other countries including Ireland, Lithuania, Singapore, and South Korea; and

WHEREAS, in 2019, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization designated Pi Day as the International Day of Mathematics; and

WHEREAS, students from underrepresented minorities and from schools with high poverty rates have lower than average scores on the TIMSS survey; and

WHEREAS, while girls and boys have similar math and science scores on the TIMSS survey through the 8th grade, there is a significant gender gap in math and physics scores at the end of high school; and

WHEREAS, the United States needs to reinforce mathematics and science education for all students in order to better prepare children for the future and to succeed in a 21st century economy; and

WHEREAS, the National Science Foundation has been driving innovation in math and science education at all levels, from elementary through graduate education, since its creation 72 years ago; and

WHEREAS, mathematics and science can be a fun and interesting part of a child’s education, and learning about π can be an engaging way to teach children about geometry and attract them to study science and mathematics; and

WHEREAS, π can be approximated as 3.14, and thus March 14, 2023, is an appropriate day to celebrate “Pi Day.”

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152 ^nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that March 14, 2023, is recognized as “Pi Day” in the State of Delaware in order to promote math and science education for Delaware students and to encourage the pursuit of careers in math and science.

SYNOPSIS

This Senate Concurrent Resolution designates March 14, 2023, as “Pi Day” in the State of Delaware.