How to Solve Our Problem With Math

Scientist teaching Science/math

I was well underway to become a research scientist, when the teaching bug stung me. I thought I could make a difference. In some cases I have. It has been very difficult to combat the negative attitude of students and society about learning science and mathematics. Many adults brag about how terrible they were and still are in math, they wear it like a badge of honor. I see the same attitude in many students, specially the outspoken ones, many are seen as leaders, and followed by many, dragging many students along to the land of ignorance.

Many teachers, both in mathematics and science do not have strong backgrounds in either subject. Many come from fields in the social sciences to teach even advanced courses, and continue to do so because of seniority, in place of teachers with degrees in math or physics etc.

This type of teacher placement needs to change. Student needs should come before seniority. By the time some of this teachers get a real chance of teaching those more advanced classes, they are fairly burned out, many leave the teaching field.

scientists teaching science = better outcomes for students and schools

I believe students and schools would be more sucessful if they took on more teachers (full-time/part-time/mentors) that have backgrounds in science rather than a teacher who has taken a handful of basic science classes. Education classes are helpful, but honestly if you have the knack for it...you can learn it on the job. Teaching is sink or swim. However, you can not learn science on the fly.

It's inspiring for the students to have a teacher who can speak from first hand experience about the subject, who has worked in the field, and can encourage others about the endless opportunities in science.

I am speaking from my own experience. I entered teaching when I could not find a job in the science industry after moving to a small area due to my spouse's job with the military. I was doubted my collegues because I did not have a education degree-as if my 4 year degree in chemistry meant nothing?? Interesting enough, my students performed better on the state exams than students in the other classes from the veteran teachers. Some of my students that transferred into my class mid year went from being C students to A students. I was told by my students that I explained the material very clear and I knew exactly what they were going to have problems with and presented several different ways to tackle such problems. Furthermore, for the students that were struggling I told them that subjects in science take practice...practice like one does for sports or music. I also spoke about the many rewarding opportunites science and math has to offer. The students said they did not and were not informed about such opportunities prior to being a student in my class.

Unfortunately, some of the veteran teachers are not strong in science and misinform students.

The school system is a mess. Teachers need to be paid more. It needs to be competitive with other industries that take up those that are passionate and knowlegeable about science and math. It's very hard to take a 60% paycut to go into teaching and face the student loans that you have that are 2 or 3 times the amount of your yearly teaching salary.

CAMS

As a graduate of CAMS (1994)I can say that the program is very beneficial. I was much more advanced in math and science than many of my friends and associates who didn't have the same opportunity. They had a special way of incorporating the two and keeping you interested. It also prepared me for the transition into college life. I was not at all overwhelmed and fit right into college life. Thanks CAMS!

CAMS

As a graduate of CAMS (1994)I can say that the program is very beneficial. I was much more advanced in math and science than many of my friends and associates who didn't have the same opportunity. They had a special way of incorporating the two and keeping you interested. It also prepared me for the transition into college life. I was not at all overwhelmed and fit right into college life. Thanks CAMS!

wow

so many tiny people at those schools