March 21, 2006

Reasons to take math in high school

Via Boing Boing, Reasons to take math in high school:


  • Choose math because it makes you smarter
  • Choose math because you will make more money
  • Choose math because you will lose less money
  • Choose math to get an easier time at college and university
  • Choose math because you will live in a global world
  • Choose math because you will live in a world of constant change
  • Choose math because it doesn't close any doors
  • Choose math because it is interesting in itself
  • Choose math because you will meet it more and more in the future
  • Choose math so you can get through, not just into college
  • Choose math because it is creative

And, my favourite:

  • Choose math because it is cool. You have permission to be smart, you have permission to do what your peers do not. Choose math so you don't have to, for the rest of your life, talk about how math is "hard" or "cold". Choose math so you don't have to joke away your inability to do simple calculations or lack of understanding of what you are doing. Besides, math will get you a job in the cool companies, those that need brains.

Overall, maybe it overstates the case a bit, but it is a useful contrast to the other side of the argument.

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