The Struggle is Real
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been frustrated trying to help your child with math.
Math homework looks a lot different today than it did when we were in school! No, it’s not your imagination. Math today is more complex. It challenges kids to look at the same problem from many different angles, rather than getting the answer and calling it a day. And sometimes, yes, it IS harder than our homework was!
Today, kids as young as kindergarteners are already being introduced to college-level concepts, such as Algebra and Mathematical Modeling, on a simplified level.
Why?
Much of the difference has to do with preparing students for their future, not our present.
Today, we know that our world is constantly changing. And math education teaches kids to look forward—to learn not just static rules, but flexible thinking and models they can use, change and improve in order to solve real-world problems.
Today’s math education is designed to help students think creatively, flexibly, and logically, and to grow into confident and successful innovators, problem-solvers and leaders.
Mathematical modeling is introduced to younger students today because it is a powerful tool for visualizing problems and how to solve them.
If you can build a model for a problem, you can build a machine (or design an app, or even start a new company) to do the work! Download this handy guide to help you understand some of the most common math models.