From math to science: How weak math skills hurt students with Therese Markow (Ep 40)

2025-01-24

In this episode, Anna Stokke welcomes Dr. Therese Markow, Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Diego, and host of the Critically Speaking podcast. They discuss the critical intersection of math and science education. Therese shares her firsthand experiences as a geneticist and post-secondary educator, highlighting the alarming decline in basic numeracy among students and its impact on their success in fields like biology and genetics. The conversation covers fascinating studies linking math experience to logical reasoning and brain development. Therese tackles the question of whether math skills have a genetic component.

In this episode, Anna Stokke welcomes Dr. Therese Markow, Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Diego, and host of the Critically Speaking podcast. They discuss the critical intersection of math and science education.

Therese shares her firsthand experiences as a geneticist and post-secondary educator, highlighting the alarming decline in basic numeracy among students and its impact on their success in fields like biology and genetics. The conversation covers fascinating studies linking math experience to logical reasoning and brain development. Therese tackles the question of whether math skills have a genetic component.

They also discuss societal and educational implications of weak math skills, including how some popular teaching philosophies might be failing students. Whether you're an educator, a math or science enthusiast scientist, or simply passionate about improving education, this episode offers something for everyone.

NOTE: The resource page contains research articles mentioned in the episode: annastokke.com/ep-40-resources

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

03:24 Math skills in science students

11:25 Impact on university curriculum standards

19:36 Links between math and logic skills

28:03 Are math abilities genetic?

28:40 Heritability studies: Twins and math abilities

38:06 Effective math teaching influences math ability

41:27 Gender and math: Debunking myths

42:48 Personal stories about math interest

50:56 Importance of basic math skills in life