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STEM Everyday · Yesterday · 33 min

#323: Making Math Make Sense (feat. Brandon Smith)

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how to make math education better? To make sure there's enough practice and practicality in math lessons? By as early as first and second grade, nearly half of students report feeling ‘moderately nervous’ or more when doing math, and by grades 7–10, surveys find that 82% of U.S. students describe themselves as fearful of math. During play, the brain’s prefrontal cortex — the center for reasoning and problem-solving — lights up more than during direct instruction. Play literally strengthens the pathways for persistence and flexible thinking. At MIND Education, they see math as more than a subject. It is a way of thinking, and every student is capable of developing deep mathematical understanding. Brandon Smith is the President and Lead Mathematician/Product Director at MIND Education, and works to help educators better meet the needs of all their students. He has a bachelor's degree in math and two master's degrees in pure and applied mathematics, and enjoys piloting planes in his spare time. Thanks for listening, and be sure to connect with Brandon in the links below: Connect with Brandon & MIND Education: Website: mindeducation.org Brandon's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brandon-smith-994a38ba/ Brandon's Blog Posts: https://2024.mindresearch.org/speakers/brandon-smith Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast...Connect with him: Website: dailystem.com Twitter/X: @dailystem Instagram: @dailystem YouTube: @dailystem Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon Support the show

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Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever wondered how to make math education better? To make sure there's enough practice and practicality in math lessons?

By as early as first and second grade, nearly half of students report feeling ‘moderately nervous’ or more when doing math, and by grades 7–10, surveys find that 82% of U.S. students describe themselves as fearful of math.

During play, the brain’s prefrontal cortex — the center for reasoning and problem-solving — lights up more than during direct instruction. Play literally strengthens the pathways for persistence and flexible thinking. At MIND Education, they see math as more than a subject. It is a way of thinking, and every student is capable of developing deep mathematical understanding.

Brandon Smith is the President and Lead Mathematician/Product Director at MIND Education, and works to help educators better meet the needs of all their students. He has a bachelor's degree in math and two master's degrees in pure and applied mathematics, and enjoys piloting planes in his spare time.

Thanks for listening, and be sure to connect with Brandon in the links below:

Connect with Brandon & MIND Education:

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast...Connect with him:

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

Support the show

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