Urgent Need: Teach Math to Kids
55The United States is facing a very
formidable challenge in the years ahead. The problem, how do you get more
American kids interested in math, engineering, technology, and science? The
reason this is a problem is because many of the baby boomers are starting to
retire, and young people are just not interested in pursuing careers in these
fields. Could math comics be part of the solution?
It's a fact that technology and science are the
bedrock of the global economy in which we now find ourselves in. Business and
labor statistics tell us that employment in these areas alone will increase
about 70% faster than the rates of other areas. With this sudden jump, it's
very tragic that American kids are not showing the interest or skills required
to fill these types of jobs.
Middle school in particular needs our urgent
attention. As our kids turn to teenagers, it is just "not cool" to be
good in math or science. Peer pressure is huge at this age, and we need to
support and encourage our kids in the areas of math and the sciences before it
gets to them. Unless we take the necessary steps now, we as a nation will pay
the price in the years to come.
For whatever reason, boys seem to show more of
an interest in math than girls. Did you know that young women now outnumber men
in our college campuses now? Despite this fact, in many engineering disciplines
women make up less than 20% of students. Professions that utilize math and
science need to promote themselves as more "women friendly". This
will encourage our young girls to see a future in math and the sciences they
are learning at a young age.
We need new media tools, and since the global
economy is moving along at a rapid pace, we need them fast. While the internet
has done wonders to promote many topics, we need to utilize it more to teach
math and science to our children. Children need to be taught the wonders of
math, and how it can enrich their lives, and prepare them for fabulous careers
in the future. They need to see how math can be practical in things they enjoy
on a daily basis. For example, how math can be used to generate statistics in
their favorite sport. Math should be fun and practical...not a pain...
How about a math comic book? Could this be
considered to be a "new media" tool?
Perhaps, at least in some ways it can.
While it's true that comic books have been around for years and years,
they have mostly been used to entertain, not educate. We've all read a comic
about a super hero, or a talking mouse, or young romance. How many times have
we read a comic that taught us math? I don't remember ever doing this as a
child. Since kids love to read comics, if we can use this format to teach them
math and science, we will all win. They will be entertained and educated, and
we will help set our children on a course that is good for the nation's future.
If you would like to learn more about educating
our kids via the math comic strips format, please visit our web site. We are
passionate about this subject, and would love to get your feedback on how we
can help to promote this lofty yet worthwhile goal.
