Want more kids to take calculus? Convince mom first

Math and science educators across the country spend their summers learning how to make calculus more engaging and biology more relevant, but there's a problem: What if high schoolers never even signed up for those classes?

What if a tough ninth grade algebra class meant they hopped off the high-tech train, and couldn't find a way back on later? What if nobody answered when kids asked, "But if I'm not going to be a chemist, why do I need this?"

For all the reasons teens find to stop taking math, science and technology classes, a study published online in the journal "Psychological Science" found a relatively simple way to make them continue: Convince their parents first.

FULL STORY from Schools of Thought

Post by: CNN's Jamie Gumbrecht
Filed under: Math • On Earth • Science Education

soundoff (2 Responses)

$tillRun!n1@Ya.Com

Never got past algebra in high school...math was another language to me....basics were easy enough...add, subtract, multipy and divide...some %...measuement was on the easy side....that was it...I have kids as well...If they can do it....more power to them.

July 15, 2012 at 4:34 pm |
helenecha

Nice picture! I love to see them!

When kids ask that if I'm not going to be a chemist, why do I need this? In response to the curious kids, I seem to be getting more curious. I wonder if students are quite sure that we can try to have our brain equipped with eyes. However, as a parent, I’d rather see my kids who are doing busy with their interests than make them understand further more on what they can do.

July 15, 2012 at 1:45 am |