The STEM field has been prominently on display in our schools and universities over the past few years. We’ve emphasized the importance of strengthening our Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs. The goal of this movement is to prepare children for the rigor of education in the science world, but the inclusion of mathematics has confused people into thinking our next myth:
Mathematics is a science, so I can just look it up.
The fact is that science is a knowledge based study; Biology is the study of life, while anatomy is the study of the body. Science comes from the latin word which means knowledge, and focuses on gathering a database of information. Engineering and Technology use the language of mathematics and the knowledge of science to create. Mathematics, as the language used in communicating science knowledge and implementing engineering methods, is an art. Mathematics has always been considered a liberal art, humanity, and skill. This means that mathematics is a skill-based area of study that requires practice. You cannot simply “look up math" anymore than you can become a master pianist overnight. They both require practice, time, dedication, and hard work.
The next time you are struggling to understand the mathematical concepts in your homework, take a moment to step back and enjoy the moment; for you have started to build your mathematical skill muscles through trials and hard work.