A student using mathematical concepts to create designs with a 3D printing pen.

Let’s face it…math gets a bad rap.  How often do you hear people, young and old alike, say things like, “I hate math.”  “Math is boring.” “I’m bad at math.” “When do I ever actually use math in the ‘real world’?”

This April is Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month, a time to finally show math a little love and appreciation, and to recognize the important role it plays in our everyday lives.  Because here’s the catch…the same people who, “hate math,” are actually using mathematic and statistical principles every single day…they’re just failing to recognize it.

Math for Work

Not only are mathematics and statistics integral to addressing real world problems like climate change, cyber security, autonomous vehicles and medical research, they also play a vital role in a myriad of professional pursuits.  From architect to fashion designer, graphic artist to fighter pilot, and realtor to pastry chef…all types of jobs, across all types of industries, all utilize math and stats. Math skills are not reserved just for engineers or algebra teachers…professionals in every trade rely on math for their success.    

Math for Play

Maybe you won big on this year’s office Oscar’s ballot, or came up short on your March Madness brackets?  Or video games, like Angry Birds or Tetris, are more your style? Perhaps sports, like golf or tennis, are your preference?  Regardless of how you like to spend your leisure time, math is likely involved. From calculating the trajectory of the slingshot as you hurl that angry bird, to devising how many strokes you can afford to give up on the last two holes of the course and still win your foursome, mathematics and statistics are in everything we do…even the fun stuff.

Math for Life

Do you ever change lanes in traffic to get ahead?  Or buy two of the smaller detergents because they’re less expensive than one of the larger size for the same amount?  Or plan a household budget? Or tackle a home improvement project? Or sew a dress? Or bake a cake? Or assemble a jigsaw puzzle?  Or leave a tip? Guess what? Math, math, math, math, math, math, math, math! Skills in measurement, estimation, pattern recognition and arithmetic are integral to the tasks we complete every single day, all throughout the day.  

So, this Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month, let’s all show a little gratitude to math in our lives!

If you’re someone who loves math like we do, perhaps a career as a math instructor is a fit for you.  Visit our College of Education page to learn more about Baker College’s teacher preparation programs.