The New Three R's: The Importance of Science and
Mathematics Education
Steven J. Rakow
Once upon a time, all an educated child needed to know were the Three R's--readin', 'ritin', and
'rithmetic--at least according to the lyrics of the old song. But times have changed. Reading (or
more broadly, language arts, which includes writing as well) is still fundamental to any future
school success. But today, the New Three R's include reasoning (mathematical and scientific)
and responsible decision making (the ideal outcome of sound reasoning).
In this context, science and math are critical parts of every child's school curriculum at every
grade level. But if you're an adult, you may not have seen any relevance in what you learned in
science and math classes and, therefore, may have considered them of little value at the time. In
many cases, that was justified--you may remember math class consisting of endless worksheets
containing endless problems. And thoughts of science class probably conjure up images of
memorizing complex formulas, trying to classify a bunch of old rocks, or performing smelly
chemistry experiments.
But if science and math classes were the same today, this article wouldn't have been written. The
new approach to science and math in the schools reflects society's view that mastery of these
topics is vital to the development of citizens for the 21st century.
Why Is Science and Math Education Important?
The simple answer is that children need to be literate in these subjects, and in their associated
thinking skills, to succeed. As society becomes increasingly technologically oriented, science and
math courses become gateways to future careers. Children who decide not to continue in science
and math classes during their high school years may limit their course and career options in
college and beyond.
Children need to master an ever-increasing knowledge base in science and math. Not everyone is
going to be a scientist or mathematician, but everyone is affected by science and math on a daily
basis. For example, kids need to know not only how to make change and balance a checkbook
but also how to operate computers and calculators, run sophisticated software packages, and
program electronic appliances. All of these activities require the logical-reasoning,
problem-solving, and decision-making skills typically taught in science and math classes.
These skills are perhaps more important than memorizing science and math facts and formulas.
Society is rapidly becoming information dependent (in fact, recent studies of future jobs suggest
that information technology jobs will be the hot careers of the next century). With the amount of
information bombarding people every day, one of the most important skills that children can
learn is the ability to make sense of information.
This focus on information is key to contemporary science and math education. The national
standards in both science and math clearly show that the development of critical reasoning skills
is of primary importance. The national science standards go beyond addressing the traditional
content areas of biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. The science standards focus on
inquiry (the ability to ask questions and conduct investigations to answer those questions), the
relationship between science and technology, the role of science in daily life and in society, and
the history and nature of science. These elements are central to the knowledge base of the
scientifically literate citizen.
Similarly, the new math standards not only address the traditional content areas of algebra,
geometry, measurement, and statistics but also emphasize reasoning skills through proofs,
communications, connections, and representation.
Finally, both science and math represent a significant part of society's cultural history. Advances
in science and math are some of the most important intellectual achievements in human history.
Through an appreciation and knowledge of science and math, children also understand the
impact of these disciplines on society.
How Can Parents Support Their Children in Science and Math Education?
Parents play a critical role in their children's learning--children benefit when their parents are
involved in their education. To support children in science and math, parents can:
 | Be positive. Regardless of your personal experiences with science and mathematics,
communicate to your children that these subjects are important. |
| Demonstrate the real-world value of science and math. Show your children how you use
science and math every day (understanding momentum when driving a car; using fractions to
change a recipe). |
| Get involved in your children's school program. Ask your kids what they're doing in their
science and math classes so that you can help them at home. When possible, volunteer to help in
the school or provide resources. Sometimes science classes in elementary schools have limited
equipment for conducting hands-on experiments. Often the children can use simple materials
found around the home. Find out what they need and offer to donate it. |
| Look for opportunities to "do" science and math with your children, such as taking trips
to science museums. For more ideas, see the articles "How Can I Help My Child Become More
Interested in Science?" and "How Can I Help My Child Become More Interested in
Math?" |
Children who see science and math as fun and important parts of their education will definitely
have an advantage in adapting to today's ever-changing world. Parents and teachers working
together play a critical role in communicating the importance of science and math and in helping
children learn the New Three R's.
| Steven J. Rakow is an Associate Professor of Science Education and the Program Chair for
Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Houston--Clear Lake. He recently served as President of the
National Science Teachers Association. |
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This page was updated on Fri Nov 2 19:14:41 GMT 2001
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