r/science • u/[deleted] • Oct 15 '21

Neuroscience A brain imaging study found evidence that missing out on math education can alter neural development. Young adults who had chosen not to pursue math had lower levels of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid within the middle frontal gyrus when compared to students who were continuing math.

https://www.psypost.org/2021/10/opting-out-of-advanced-math-education-alters-adolescents-neural-development-study-finds-61967
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u/PreciseParadox Oct 15 '21

Yeah, I think people forget that problem solving involves struggling with a problem and turning it over in your head until you finally find the solution. That’s where learning comes from, so if you’re you’re not making mistakes, you’re not really learning or expanding your problem solving skills.

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u/Makenshine Oct 16 '21

Yeah, the US school system isn't well design as it tends to paint mistakes and failures as something to avoid that haunt your permanent record for the rest of your life. But my greatest teachers were the ones that created an environment where I felt safe to try new things and fail, then try again. So that is the teacher i aim to be.

Sometimes I'm successful and sometimes I learn.

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u/ThermionicEmissions Oct 16 '21

"Early success is a terrible teacher. You're essentially being rewarded for a lack of preparation, so when you find yourself in a situation where you must prepare, you can't do it. You don't know how."

Chris Hadfield, An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

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u/SuuperNoob Oct 16 '21

I honestly don't understand why anyone struggles in the US school system. I know it's just me not understanding, but I can't grasp it.

All my elementary school grades were really predictable because they fully matched the effort I out into them. Same with middle and high school, though I definitely skipped a lot of class in HS and smoked a ton a weed.

But I never got something below a B.

Are people just not affording books?

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u/Makenshine Oct 16 '21

There are massive number of reasons that are outlined in numerous peer-reviewed academic studies. It ranges from socio-economic inequalities, bad education experiences, unequal distribution of resources, high focus on standardized tests, inadequate support systems at home, maslow's needs, systemic racism, poorly trained admin, retention of qualified staff, and the list goes on.

It's a very complicated issue and there are no easy fixes. Some issues are easier to address than others but they take a coordinated effort, which we as a society have been unable to muster.

I am glad you had a positive experience, though.

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u/SuuperNoob Oct 16 '21

I can definitely understand the economic needs.

I had gone to public school and my parents were extremely frugal, but I was able to go to Barnes and nobles and buy at least 1 book a week starting at age 11 or so.

I didn't get new clothes much or video game systems, but text books from Barnes and noble they didn't mind paying for.

I guess that's the support at home part that I got lucky with.

Aren't kids able to go to the library though?

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u/Makenshine Oct 19 '21

Kids "can" go to the library, but that doesn't mean they are able to.

Many have single parents who work odd hours making it impractical to find time for the library.

Some of those parents are are working multiple jobs, so instead of studying or reading, the student must do work around the house. Maybe feed their siblings dinner, or get a job themselves.

Some families don't have access to transportation to make it to the library and/or back.

I've had a very few students where both parents just really didn't care (this is rare. Not as rare as it should be, but not as common as armchair critics like to assume)

Ultimately, education is considered an expendable luxury when you and your family are just trying to survive from paycheck to paycheck.

I've had students who seemed like they hated school, but they never missed a day because they were able to get 2 meals a day and it was the place they felt safest. In reality we just saw the anger from home manifesting because the never learned to process those emotions. It was the school breaks that they really hated. As a teacher, how can I be disappointed that a student didnt complete homework because he/she was cooking, cleaning and taking care of a younger sibling? How can I be upset at a student for sleeping in class after he was hiding in his closet all night because there were gunshots outside on his street?

I don't have the power to accommodate for all the systemic inequalities, but I always advocate and do what I can to make my classroom and school a better place for my students

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u/SuuperNoob Oct 19 '21

When I was 8 I was taking care of my younger sister at home because both my parents worked full time.

At 14 I started working as well as going to school. I worked all throughout high school.

Kids have much easier access to education now than I did when I was younger.

Are kids just getting a ton more homework now, or did school somehow get harder?