Math - The Anchor of STEM
We hear a lot about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) subjects opening the door to more career opportunities than ever before, however we often overlook that math is actually the anchor subject for STEM because none of the other three subjects can be done without it.
Just as anchors give ships, wind turbines and circus tents a firm grounding, mathematics provides the conceptual skills and grounding required for STEM. This is why math is such an important subject, and one that needs to be developed early on.
Not only is math the gateway to the more traditional STEM careers, it's also important for many exciting new careers that aren't so obvious. This makes it a powerful enabler of social mobility which can transform your child’s prospects. Here are a few examples of careers requiring math that you mightn't have thought of...
Video game designer
Creating a 3D video game requires a high level of artistic skill and a deep understanding of 3D geometry. Game designers have to use algebra and geometry to figure out how to accurately depict objects they've drawn as they rotate, move and change size, meaning that a solid grasp of math is essential.
Digital marketer
There’s an old phrase from the era of madmen which goes:
"Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half..."
In the past, creative judgement used to be everything but now marketers have mountains of data to measure campaign performance. Analysing and interpreting this data is the key to making the right decisions about how to spend the budget wisely and this requires math skills.
Sound engineer
Sound engineers use complex formulas and logarithms to calculate sound volumes and make sure that the different instruments balance together. Acoustics engineers dig even deeper by using mathematical models to optimise the sound in new buildings.
Air traffic controller
Even with cutting edge technology at their fingertips, most of which is automated, an air traffic controller has to be able to understand distances and measurements and do quick 3D geometry calculations to double check for errors and safely guide pilots through the skies.
How can parents help?
As parents we certainly don’t want our elementary aged children to be concerned about careers. But regardless of what career path they eventually want to go down, we can help by ensuring they have as many good options as possible. This is where mathematics stands out as a real anchor with more opportunities than other subjects.
The good news for parents of young children is that success, or lack of it, isn't a done deal - a little extra practice at home has a huge impact on learning outcomes. Komodo can help by ensuring young children are fluent in elementary math skills - which research shows to be a key factor for later success in math. Furthermore, Komodo doesn't require heaps of time sitting in front of the screen.
I'm Ged, Co-founder of Komodo, ex-math teacher and dad. If you have any questions please get in touch.
About Komodo - Komodo is a fun and effective way to boost K-5 math skills. Designed for 4 to 11-year-olds to use in the home, Komodo uses a little and often approach to learning math (20 minutes, three to five times per week) that fits into the busy routine. Komodo helps users develop fluency and confidence in math - without keeping them at the screen for long.
And now we've got Komodo English too - check it out here.
