Celebrate Pi Day with the Exploratorium on March 14!

On Thursday, March 14, 2024, San Francisco's Exploratorium celebrates the 37th Pi (π) Day, its annual homegrown celebration of the mathematical constant and never-ending number — and Albert Einstein’s birthday! Did you know that the celebration of Pi Day originated at the Exploratorium?

Over the course of the day, Pi-themed activities will be offered throughout the museum, including pi lectures, pi demos, pi poetry, a traditional procession to the museum’s Pi Shrine with the Mission Delirium brass band to sing "Happy Birthday" to Einstein, and the chance to enjoy delicious slices of pie in honor of the holiday.

Pi Day was initiated at the Exploratorium by the late staff physicist, tinkerer, and media specialist, Larry Shaw. Shaw also created and installed the “Pi Shrine,” site of the annual Pi procession at the museum. Staff and visitors form a line and wind around the museum towards the Shrine. The procession ends with all participants circumnavigating the Pi Shrine 3.14 times while singing “Happy Birthday” to Albert Einstein.

An annual tradition for Exploratorium staff and visitors, Pi Day has grown into a worldwide event that is celebrated by math lovers and educators across the globe. In March 2009, Pi Day became an official U.S. national holiday.

Activities are free after museum admission. Purchase tickets in advance online or at the door on Pi Day. Learn more about Pi (π) Day and see the full schedule of events at www.exploratorium.edu.

Photo © Exploratorium