Why US Math, Science Ed is OK

Perceived differences a matter of culture, not biology: study

(NEWSER) - Cross another stereotype off the list: Any differences between men's and women's math abilities are cultural, not innate, a study finds. Studies that have suggested such differences covered too few countries to give an accurate picture, researchers say. The new study, however, reviewed math scores across 86 countries, with a better representation of non-Western societies, reports the Daily Mail . "We found that boys—as well as girls—tend to do better in maths when raised in countries where females have better equality, and that's new and important," says one researcher. More»

Study finds stereotype reaches kids strikingly early

(NEWSER) - A disturbingly high proportion of little girls have absorbed the stereotype that math is for boys by the time they reach the second grade, a new study finds. Researchers found that little boys and girls alike tend to associate enjoyment of math with boys, MSNBC reports. "We still don’t know where the children are getting this,” says the study's lead author. “I don’t think anybody is explicitly telling them that. I think it’s a very subtle message.” More»

Eat some pie, write a 'pi-ku,' and wish Albert Einstein a happy birthday

(NEWSER) - Today is 3/14, better known to the math-loving community as Pi Day, an international celebration of the irrational number and, for some, its almost-namesake dessert. In honor of the occasion, the iconic logo on the Google homepage has transformed into a collection of formulas that use pi. To celebrate, write a "pi-ku" poem—three syllables, one syllable, four syllables—or just wish Albert Einstein a happy birthday. More»

Breakthrough could lead to more precise lasers, traffic speed guns

(NEWSER) - A team of physicists say they’ve managed to “tie light in knots” using holograms and abstract mathematics. The breakthrough could have a host of practical applications, including more precise lasers and traffic speed guns. It’s also the first physical application of “knot theory,” a branch of mathematics inspired by the winding of shoelaces, which was previously believed to be totally abstract. More»

(NEWSER) - Researchers have discovered that gum-chewing students perform better at math, the Los Angeles Times reports. A study, sponsored by the Wrigley Science Institute, showed that young scholars who chomped on gum while attending math class, doing homework, and taking tests score 3% higher on tests after 14 weeks. Teachers found the chewers more attentive and quieter. More»