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ABC News Article

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zofromuxo:
Do final years think about the bigger picture?
I wonder if that also plays a part in this debate as well.
That the individual students themselves may need to take responsibility in linking and understanding how maths and science subjects play apart of their lives.

EEEEEEP:

--- Quote from: owidjaja on October 22, 2017, 04:17:16 pm ---So I just found this article about the decreasing number of students doing maths and science:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-22/australian-students-turning-their-back-on-maths-and-science/9074114?WT.ac=statenews_nsw

Just out of curiosity, what are your thoughts about this?

(P.S. Not sure where exactly this topic belongs so- to the moderators- feel free to move this topic elsewhere)

--- End quote ---

As a nation, we are more arts, music and in general crafts focused.

Just look at the Newspapers, and the media news sites...How many shows and newspapers dedicate themselves to music, celebrities, movies etc? If you go to Asia or China, there are much more shows dedicated to science and tech... where as the only one that remotely does this in AUS is the ABC.

EVEN THE TECH section is rubbish




Another dimension is that funding for science has been going down in Australia and organisations such as the CSIRO have been losing funding.

Aaron:

--- Quote from: zofromuxo ---What needs to happen is teaching of maths relevant to students like financial maths.
--- End quote ---
It's difficult to do so when Further maths is perceived as the 'dumb' option, when it's a genuine alternative to those that want applied over pure.

Stereotypes and perceptions/attitudes to math are the main reason why the decrease is happening. I personally think some form of maths in addition to English should be compulsory (or even better.. to select a STEM area as a compulsory option). I've never understood why it isn't.

Back to attitudes etc: We have a culture where it's okay to say we're not "great" at math and that is accepted in society. "Too difficult", "Male dominated", "RELEVANCE" and more.

Once we make it more relevant, applicable to real life and the culture shifts.. maybe then we'll get somewhere.

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