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Fast Forward 15-20 years from high school, and I've now been on the receiving end of those questions. As a science teacher, you get them a lot. But as a maths teacher, you get them even more. Most students don't question basic arithmetic, money, time, fractions etc, but algebra, Pythagoras theorem, trigonometry, probability and quadratic equations are not only harder to learn, but harder to anticipate ever using outside of the classroom.
Guess what? I think I've used them all. Every single one of those crazy maths things plus the knowledge I picked up in every one of my high school subjects (English, science, geography, woodwork, metal work, cooking, sewing, agriculture, and even my least favourites - history and PE!). And every time I find another use for one of those things I chuckle to myself and wish I could go back and tell my teachers.
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So thank you Mr Peck for making me do all of those Pythagoras problems. I only wish you could have answered my question..... "When will you ever use Pythagoras theorem? Why you'll use it when you are designing experiments at university in your early 20s; you'll use it when you build a cubby house for your twins in your late 20s; you'll use it again when you are designing a cold frame made of recycled materials in your early 30s; and you'll surely use it countless more times in between and into the future."
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| My newly made cold frame is made of recycled pallets and window and will be used to grow my own seedlings this summer. I will think of all of my high school maths teachers each time I use it ;) |
Do you find yourself using your lessons from school in unexpected places? Or does this make me a bit of a geek? :P
A couple of years my husband and I decided to rip up the carpet and lay floating timber floors in our townhouse. The lounge room was an irregular shape, and had a mezzanine floor adjacent, and steps.
ReplyDeleteI was using Pythagoras theorem ad nauseum during all the calculations I had to make before cutting the boards to size.
Thanks Pythagoras.
I had a very cool lecturer at university (linguistics) who started the semester by announcing "The most precious skill you are going to learn at university is the ability to bull$%$#. In fact, our requests to write a set amount on any given subject and to convince us that you were listening, understanding and feeling a bit enthusiastic will set you up for a job in the public service perfectly - and trust me, that is a good outcome for an arts student." Every time I have had to write a job application, fill out a form....anything that requires that unique skill I remember him and laugh.
ReplyDeleteOn a serious note - I was a nerd at school and remember pretty much every single one of my teachers (I'm still in contact with one) and they were honestly the most awesome people who taught me a lot (even if not about their given subject) more about what truly counts in the world - which can get lost in the social mish mash of schooling.