Learning Math as a Second Language

A lot has been written about the importance of getting girl’s into math and science.  I have spent a lot of time in the recent years writing about and advocating for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, especially for girls who are under-represented in these fields and careers.

I recently heard Hannah Fry’s TED talk on “The Mathematics of Love” which was funny and informative. Galileo Galilei, the Italian astronomer and physicist, said, “Mathemetics is the language in which God has written the universe.”  Hannah was applying this language to the study of dating practices, which made for interesting insights.

But if math is a language, those of us who primarily think and speak in English, German, or Chinese have a second language to learn to understand the mysteries of the universe or the mysteries of our own social calendars.

What if we taught math as if it were a second language?  We acknowledged that it required its own vocabulary and grammatic rules.  We acknowledged that with practice anyone could learn it, not just the privileged few that were “good at math” (whatever that means).

I wonder if this reframing would help discouraged 4th graders to pursue math even if it was difficult at first and 7th grade girls who were good at math to feel proud that they were mastering the language of the universe, not labeled as “geeks” or “nerds” among their peers.  

Reflections on TedxPortland

Today was the TedxPortland event where I was joined by 3,000 of my dearest Portland friends and neighbors for an awesome day of learning and inspiration.  For more information on the speaker line-up (and details for next year's event) see http://www.tedxportland.com/. 

I had several thoughts in summary:

TED events are world views on parade:  When you watch a single TED talk, you forget that these speeches are given in succession to people at single or multiple day events, where a wide variety of topics and presenters are put in juxtaposition.  This contrast in world view was obvious to me in so many ways.  Some saying that most important and earliest memories of our childhood are positive and loving.  Others saying that earliest memories were painful or fear-filled.  The differing views are there in all of us and it is not common that we hear one after another in such transparency.

Everyone loves Margaret Mead:  This American cultural anthropologist had to be quoted a half a dozen times in different speeches in the amazing take-home coffee table book we received.

Words Matter:  Not only did the speakers choose their words carefully, but they spent some time talking about words.  The importance of not using negative labels and the societal impact of words (like "prostitute," "beauty," "Spirit," "Down Syndrome," or "safe investment").  If words are important, than stories are paramount.

Technology is a Tool(for good and evil):  We had speakers that were pro-technology and some that trended towards Luddite, but it was interesting to hear the different perspectives on this theme of technology being useful.  But like anything of value, it has a price tag and a payback.  There is bad that comes along with the good.

Everyone Does a Part:  The fact that the event was entirely volunteer led is impressive.  They did an amazing job and put on a professional and far reaching event.  Everyone doing their part.  There was someone working on space suits in the case of future space colonization (Dr. Cameron Smith from PSU)  There is someone working on encouraging children with cancer with music - not curing cancer, just encouraging them in their journey (Jenna Nichols from Children's Cancer Association).  There is a role for everyone to play. 

Start today!

Plus, it was great to spend the day with friends and to meet some new ones along the way!