Published: September 26, 2008 02:02 pm      

There are remedies for a fear of mathematics

Math helpful, not a hindrance

As an educator and a consumer, I notice that a shrinking percentage of Americans can handle numbers, money and reason quantitatively (using numerical information).

So many are quick to admit, “I’m not good at math” as if mathematics was a foreign language that one learns in the elementary grades and high school but afterwards vanishes from one’s set of life skills. Our civilization, especially our financial networks rely on mathematics.

Knowing some basic math will save you money in shopping; for example, what size food package to buy, what size TV screen is best suited for your rooms and what car will save you thousands of dollars a year in gasoline.

When I am in a check out line at a grocery store, I feel sad when so many customers pay by credit or debit card, giving into convenience rather than trying to keep account of money deposited in banks. As a consequence, most users of credit cards pay thousands of dollars of interest per year on their credit card accounts (not able to pay them off each month).

For the primary and middle school students, math homework is very important. But many parents are not particularly good at math themselves. So they are hesitant to help their own children.

Here is where cable television could play a valuable role. There are many wonderful and engaging reality shows where listeners learn how to organize their possessions, train their dogs to behave better, dress in a way that flatters their natural features, etc.

Why not have a reality show where a math teacher has a parent visiting him who is stumped over their child’s math homework? There could be shows for the early primary grades, upper primary grades and middle school grades.

The teachers would be personable and sympathetic individuals who know that understanding math takes patience and persistence and can’t be done quickly and easily. (So many “experts” give out answers so quickly that the questioner is overwhelmed and feels even dumber than before.)

Let the parent ask questions slowly and let the teacher answer their questions carefully and go over the problems in an easy-to-follow way so that any television listener could pick up some valuable insights. These shows could be shown several times a week.

Finding sponsors wouldn’t be hard as there are many publishers of engaging math books that could advertise their offerings. Then listeners could tape or record these shows and listen to them as needed to build up their own math skills and be better able to help their children in math.

Then instead of hearing “I can’t help my child with his/her math homework,” parents might say “I learned how to do fractions on that primary math show so I could help Suzie with her math homework.” (Thanks to Principal Steve Wilson at South Penn Elementary for his feedback on this idea.)

Moon back in evening sky

Today and tomorrow, the moon is a skinny crescent low in the eastern dawn. In mid week, the moon swings from the morning to the evening side of the sun (from west of sun to east of sun).

By this Thursday, the moon should be seen as a skinny crescent low in the southwestern dusk.

Look for the planet Venus as a tiny point of light low in the twilight to the right. Each night afterwards, we see more of the moon’s daylit side and more craters and features can be spied with binoculars.

Today we have our last showings of “Best Stars Through the Year” at the Frostburg State Planetarium with free public presentations at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. (No tickets or reservations, just come a little early to be assured of seating.)

The Planetarium is on the side of Tawes Hall that faces the large Compton Science Center and away from the FSU Clock Tower. Just come up the front steps and the Planetarium is just on your left as you come through the door. Farther down the hall are restrooms.

There is plenty of free parking on Sundays and handicapped spots close the Planetarium with a ramp for wheel chairs. After our 45 minute show, I enjoy taking any interested visitors to the Science Discovery Center in the Compton Center where we have a great display of mammals from five continents; this is the collection of Westernport native Dr. Joseph Cavallaro, who went on over 50 Safaris.

Just as our planetarium, the Discovery tours are free. The new Curator is Mr. Nick Wilson, a delightful host.

To get a free Planetarium/Discovery Center bookmark with map, call (301) 687-7799 and leave your name and mailing address.

Bob Doyle invites comments and questions from readers, email him at rdoyle@frostburg.edu .