Math and science necessary?
Jeff Kocsis’ “A Differing View” says Advanced Math and Science is not needed in everyday life. Dennis Hammond says it is. Wouldn’t it be great is everyone was just like me! That would answer the question for sure.
Am I a teacher, psychologist, accountant, social worker, store clerk, legal analyst, restaurateur, marketer/salesman, property manager, cosmetologist, minister, general electrician, repairman, janitor, service worker, driver, child care worker, lock smith, painter, police officer, travel agent, corporate manager, entertainer, plumber, soldier, or any of a number of other occupations?
Or am I an architect, computer technician, doctor, environmental scientist, advanced mechanic, pilot, financial planner, marketing or finance director, HVAC specialist, engineer, veterinarian, or another occupation with a high level of specialization?
Did you know that algebra is being taught in the 6th grade?
Did you know that most wars, including Iraq have been fought for ideas and principles?
People live, work and die every day for ideas and opinions. I have never heard of anyone dying for algebra or calculus.
Did you know that understanding geography, history, religion, and politics can help tell the story of human development and help predict it’s future.
Of course, if we want to remain economically at the top among countries, we need more specialists. But this is a land of opportunity. A land where we can decide what we want to be, where we have the opportunity to be a scientist or a psychologist, a mechanic or a carpenter.
Do we all need advanced math to think or do we all need to understand human motivation in order to get ahead? It all depends on your own perspective, but should we force one way of thinking over another for everyone in public schools or are we to provide opportunities for everyone? Your ideas are as good as mine. Anyway, wouldn’t it be great if everyone was just like me, and could think just like me?
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Stupid is as Stupid does. Run Forest Run.
Posted by R P McMurphy on July 27, 2007 07:55 AMTake it this way, every occupation you just listed uses math to some extent
Posted by Sean on July 27, 2007 10:08 AMMath and Science are important in an education. They both require you to think. I never thought I would use the stupid junk I learned in high school either until I was working on a construction job many years later. I used the same knowledge again when I was helping with the construction of a playground. Everyone thought I was a genius! Nope. Just 10th grade math.
Posted by Stan B on July 27, 2007 10:14 AM