Sarah DeSantis

Mrs. Tallman
Precalculus
8 February 2016
Math: Modern Magic
The rise of technology and technologically based careers often distracts people from the
beauty and importance of mathematics. Arguably the most important branch of STEM, math has
been around longer than life itself and holds the secrets to the way the world works.
Mathematicians are learning to utilize calculus, algebra, and even geometry to help the ever
increasing world of technology. Math-based careers are critical to the future of our
technological society, says Michael Sipser, head of the mathematics department at MIT (Math
Will Rock Your World). While math careers and graduates are undeniably the key to the nations
economic success, the United States is lacking in the mathematics field. Both on the national and
state levels, the government needs to improve math education for our children and encourage
them to seek STEM-related careers.
Many think that because STEM careers are building up thriving, strong economies, the
United States would naturally be leading the world in this field. They are wrong. According to
the most recent Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) test results from 2012, the
U.S. placed an unimpressive 35th out of 64 countries in math, (DeSilver). The PISA test
assesses the skills of 15 year olds across the world, which means American education itself must
change and develop new ways to intrigue students and help them learn. For starters, school
systems should hire teachers with more extensive knowledge about math and its applications to

the real world. A study by Bill Schmidt, a distinguished professor at Michigan State University,
found that while nearly all future middle-school teachers in the top-achieving countries took
courses in linear algebra and basic calculus, only about half of U.S. future teachers took the
fundamental courses, (Geary and Henion). An adequately educated teacher is much more likely
to inspire their students in comparison to a teacher who is not. This could be a factor as to why
other countries children score higher than American children on math assessments. To students,
a great teacher is more beneficial than any textbook or standardized test.
Along with hiring better qualified teachers, the general math curriculum should be
changed. Children are often bored while sitting in a drab classroom, listening to some monotone
teacher go over lesson plans, and reading some outdated textbook. Kids will both learn more, and
have fun if lessons and projects are shaken up a bit. Hands-on projects engage students and help
them visualize different mathematical laws and principles. Real-world application assignments
and problems show students how math is all around them. The most common complaint about
math class is, Well never use this in our lives! This is why teachers need to show kids how
they will use these concepts in their everyday life. If children see how useful math can be to
them in life, they will be more likely to pursue a math-based career.
American students chasing mathematical careers are highly crucial to the United States
now more than ever. The United States largely depends on foreign mathematicians in universities
and research labs. Today, an estimated half of the 20,000 math grad students now in the U.S. are
foreign-born, (Math Will Rock Your World). While some may argue that an increase in foreign
students is good because it provides unique insight and culturally diverse makeup to American
universities, many of these foreign students travel back home after completing school or find
greater job opportunities abroad. Since foreign-born students are more likely to leave the

country, the U.S. will lose more valuable minds to countries who already lead the world in
STEM fields. In order for the U.S. to get ahead in the game, we need more American STEM
students.
Math can be found anywhere in nature, whether it be the spiral of a snails shell or the
pattern of the clouds above. Math can be used to solve anything from personal finance to
catching criminals. Math is truly limitless. Todays youth will be tomorrows top minds, working
to solve societys mysteries with math itself.

Works Cited
DeSilver, Drew. "U.S. Students Improving Slowly in Math and Science, but Still Lagging
Internationally." Pew Research Center RSS. Pew Research Center, 02 Feb. 2015. Web. 07
Feb. 2016. <http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/02/02/u-s-students-improvingslowly-in-math-and-science-but-still-lagging-internationally/>.
Geary, Nicole, and Andy Henion. "Study: U.S. Needs Better-trained Math Teachers to Compete
Globally." MSUToday. Michigan State University, 15 Apr. 2010. Web. 07 Feb. 2016.
<http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2010/study-us-needs-better-trained-math-teachers-tocompete-globally/>.
"Math Will Rock Your World." Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg, 22 Jan. 2006. Web. 07 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2006-01-22/math-will-rock-your-world>.