kitchen table math, the sequel: 8/19/07 - 8/26/07

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Friday, August 24, 2007

Solving College Math in 5th Grade - Singapore Makes it Easy!

From D-Ed Reckoning:
Washington College Students Don't Understand Math:
"Here's the kind of sophisticated math these kids are failing to understand."



Here's how a 5th grade student at my school solved problem #2 with bar modeling:


Looks like he'll do fine in college!

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Scholarships for STEM

How about this for an incentive to hit the math books?

Major in one of the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) and receive a full college scholarship. This is one of the provisions proposed by Senator Max Baucus of Montana as part of the Education Competiveness Act. This scholarship would apply to ANY university and Senator Baucus even proposes to cover tuition and other expenses like books, student fees and school supplies too.

Sounds like a sweet deal. So, what's the catch? Upon completion of a STEM degree, graduates must "work or teach" for four years in a related field. Small price to pay for a full ride, don't you think?

Parents do all kinds of crazy things to prepare their children for athletic scholarships. Maybe this will create the incentive to do a better job of preparing our children for careers in the STEM disciplines. In fact, being a math nerd just might become as cool as being a jock.

Cross posted here.