A colleague of mine, a biologist, (let’s call him Ken) teaches an upper-level college course on genetics. Course requirements include the usual—class participation, quizzes, exams, and …a scientific paper. Each semester, when Ken mentions the paper the classroom erupts in shrieks and murmurs. Immediately after the noise dies down, hands shoot into the air and Read More
Do you hate math? Does talk of x and square roots make your head hurt? You may answer yes and yes. It’s ok. But can you whisper it so the kids won’t hear you? Seriously. This kind of negative math talk has become a badge of honor in American society. And it has seeped into Read More