Here is an article from Steven Strogatz of the New York Times about the friendship paradox. It also has applications that were unanticipated by the mathematicians that first described it such as public health. Math you can use!
If Achilles Used Facebook...This is an article about using the mathematics of social networking to analyze literature.
Another article describes the application of a common probability problem to medicine and to the O.J. Simpson trial. This article is about epigenetics, not a mathematical topic but really interesting. Events in father's lives, for example nutrition during adolescent years, can have genetic impact on their children and even grandchildren. Disclaimer: This may not apply to you at all, in which case I apologize for using the general pronoun, "you." Apparently this is a hot issue at all of the magnet schools and is being addressed through policy. It is unfortunate that the behavior of some students can affect those that are without blame. This is not a topic that I really want to address but I feel compelled to after discovering that many of my students presented work as their own that was not. Let me begin by saying that I realize that you have chosen the most difficult of paths through high school, one that requires an astonishing level of maturity, an uncommon work ethic and the willingness to risk being average among a pool of people that are extraordinary. I respect and admire the strength of character that being an IB student demands. As a student myself, I empathize with the pressures that you are under and I understand how one's self-esteem can be affected through fears that you are not smart enough or through being validated externally. Even as an adult, getting an A in a class resonates for me emotionally, seems to assure me that I am competitive intellectually and feeds my ego. I am aware, too, that GPA is the all important driver and that many of you feel that your very future depends on getting the best grades. All of that being said, in my opinion, a grade that is achieved dishonestly rings hollow, is not an accurate reflection of the progress that you have made and cheapens the value of high grades. Cheating lessens your integrity. There are many things that are beyond your control as a high school student but one thing that is not is your moral code. Here are some links to statistics about academic dishonesty. I hope that you will share your own opinions with me and you are free to choose a screen name that does not identify you if you do not feel comfortable talking about this publicly. 8 astonishing stats Here is an article from the San Francisco Chronicle. I am disheartened that I am going to have to make some changes after my discovery of what I consider to be cheating, using Internet resources not to find information about problems rather than the problems themselves. This is going to mean more work done in class, under my watchful eye, that is going to count. The things you do at home have lost some of their meaning for me as a way to determine how much you are learning.
Here is a link to the gallery of an annual conference on mathematics and art. I thought some of you might like it.
This is another which focuses on M.C. Escher, probably the best known mathematical artist. This site has galleries for what is being done in mathematical imagery. Here is an example. Articles about some applications of mathematicsThe NY Times recently published an article claiming that the forms of mathematics that are studied in schools do not lead to the ability to make better decisions. Rather, the requirements for advanced mathematics prevent many people from attaining their goals in fields other than mathematics.
On the other hand, an article about Robert Moses, a civil rights activist, describes how learning algebra, a course which is often a gateway to more sophisticated mathematical understanding and subsequent educational and career opportunities, is fundamentally a civil right. Please weigh in with your opinion! Then maybe I will tell you mine, which may surprise you. |
Sandi YoderI have been a teacher for 27 years, 14 of which have been in the Campbell High School IB program. Archives
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