Social Justice & Mathematics EducationMLK DayJanuary 20, 2014

What are we going to do today?

• Intro• What is the problem? Why is math education so

important?• How can someone improve their SES in the US?

Why do we want diversity in math and science?• What keeps people from moving up in SES?• Gender/Race Bias/Stereotype threat• What is it? What evidence is there that it exists?• What can be done about it? What can teachers

do in the classroom? What can everyone do?

Top 10 Highest Paid Jobs (2012)Occupation Average Annual Wages

1. Anesthesiologists $232,830

2. Surgeons $230,540

3. Obstetricians and Gynecologists $216,760

4. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons $216,440

5. Internists, General $191,520

6. Orthodontists $186,320

7. Physicians and Surgeons, All Other $184,820

8. Family and General Practitioners $180,850

9. Psychiatrists $177,520

10. Chief Executives $176,840

Top 10 highest paid non-medical jobs

Occupation Average Annual Wages

1. Chief Executives $176,840

2. Petroleum Engineers $147,4703. Architectural and Engineering Managers $133,240

4. Lawyers $130,880

5. Natural Sciences Managers $130,400

6. Marketing Managers $129,8707. Computer and Information Systems Managers $129,130

8. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers $128,760

9. Financial Managers $123,260

10. Sales Managers $119,980

“Although it is impossible to predict in advance the difference [diversity] would make to the culture and practice of [math and science], I believe [different people] have an important role to play in helping to make both more ethical. It is not insignificant that it is, in fact , [the diversity] that is spearheading this call for change. ..I propose that [diversity] would provide – as does [diversity] in all communities – a balancing influence. As in any society the best goals emerge from the dreams of men and women together.”

-Margaret Wertheim, Science Writer

Where you go to high school in America effects your opportunities

About 1 in 6 Hispanic students attends a school that does not offer physics

More than 1/3 of African American student attends a school that does not offer Calculus

44% of Native American students attend a school that does not offer Calculus

Discussion:• What could be biased about these questions?

• Find the angle of rotation for a Ferris Wheel that has a radius of 50 feet and rotates twice in 10 minutes.

• Based on the data provided, find a linear model for the number of times you can jump on a pogo stick based on your weight.

• if a team makes two touchdowns and one field goal, how many points do they have?

Start at 1:37 – Good Times, 1974

Math SAT Scores by race

Women, Math & Stereotypes

Stereotypes & Mindset

Mindset in the Classroom

References• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASDzcvyatgw

• http://gas.sagepub.com/content/26/2/290.abstract

• http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/03/29/the-10-highest-paid-jobs-in-america

• http://changetheequation.org/blog/new-research-millions-lack-access-advanced-math-science