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For 6 months, I'll be organizing, as part as my volunteer work in an NGO, math classes with small groups (~10 students, aged 16 or 17). These classes are not compulsory, but students willing to stay past the third class must accept to attend all subsequent classes, for a full year. In fact, it's not even true classes: the focus is mostly on discussing and solving interesting exercises, and motivated kids from low-income backgrounds to pursue advanced studies in the future.

I'll be giving my first "class" next Tuesday, and since the first class doesn't require any future commitment, I'm expecting around 30-40 people. I'm therefore thinking on focusing on fun math questions, little problems and mind twisters, but I'm not sure where to start.

Do you have ideas of fun problems that could motivate kids to stay? The first class will last two hours.

Thanks!

  • 1
    How about stuff like Rubik's cube?2011-10-01
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    I have converted the question to [community wiki](http://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/11740/what-are-community-wiki-posts/11741#11741), as there's no single right answer.2011-10-01
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    @ZevChonoles Thanks!2011-10-01
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    Not exactly a math problem, but **video games** certainly get 16-17 year olds involved. I'm not saying its a good thing, but it was certainly how I got involved in programming and http://stackoverflow.com . I've dropped video games completely, but now can't stop programming. %)2011-10-01

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