Math is the language of science and nature

Many students may be unaware of innumerable practical applications of math and hence may wonder if the concepts and formulas they were taught in the class have anything to do in real-life. Some feel having the knowledge of basic concepts only is good enough. Students with such attitude are required to broaden their view and understand the composite concepts of mathematics as well. The concepts should not be seen as just remembering some formulas; their practical applications should be explored.

Mathematics is considered as the language of science and is applicable in many ways ranging from basics like counting, managing personal finance, etc., to major complex applications like finding the growth rate of bacteria, population change, prices and inflation change, etc. It teaches the way to think and apply common sense enhancing the logical thinking abilities and decision-making skills.

The abstractness of some concepts like algebra puts brain at work enabling individuals to think laterally which in turn will enhance their abilities to solve other tasks/problems too. A better brain is believed to be built by learning math concepts and solving problems.

While solving a problem, your brain is stimulated to think which will enable its dendrites to grow extensively to connect with other brain cells. The more the problems you solve, more are the analytical skills acquired.

Maths is also considered as the language of nature. It can be observed in the form of Fibonacci pattern in milky-way galaxy, cyclones & hurricanes, plant/tree branches, finger bones, sun flower, pineapple, nautilus shell, etc.

Some students consider math as hard and scary and feel uneasy while solving problems. In such cases parents and teachers are required to play a greater role in encouraging students to overcome math phobia and make the subject exciting and enjoyable for them.

Students and teachers can access math and science concepts with many solved problems, well-illustrated examples and their real-life applications at www.wonderwhizkids.com

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Schools should generate Intellectuals, not Databases

Many parents and teachers encourage students to store as much data/information as possible in their tiny brains and ask them to replicate what was taught in the class. If they're doing so, then they are just killing creativity in students and preventing them from acquiring new skill sets.

It is imperative on all the parents/teachers community to encourage students to become intellectuals, but not databases. Students remembering much of the data is of little or no use in the current competitive market. Generating innovative ideas with a presence of mind is essential for the current volatile environment.

The conventional education system, which might have had yielded good results in the past, is not good enough for the 21st century. The current conditions demand the need for new learning methodologies which could enable curiosity and creativity in children by allowing them to actively participate in the learning process.

After delivering a session/class on a concept, teachers should explain its real-life applications. For instance after Congruent Triangles concept in Geometry, the teachers should explain where and why they are used. They have application in construction of buildings and bridges to provide stability and strength (Example: Kap Shui Mun Bridge in Hong Kong and such others).

Once the session is complete, teachers should assign a task to students to find few more real-life applications and encourage them to explore why they were used.

This type of learning process would enable student participation and create curiosity in them. Students will spend time to think about the concept and try to play with some ideas which in turn will help them develop lateral thinking and problem solving skills.

It is in this respect, all educational enthusiasts – be it the parents, teachers or school management - should mould students as intellectuals, but not just the repository of content, and help them to do well in school and beyond.

Read online math and science core concepts with well-illustrated examples and real-life applications at www.wonderwhizkids.com

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Tips to excel in science core concepts

Students often worry about how to remember the concepts of science. Though they pay attention in the classroom and adopt various learning methods, they fail to get the desired results. Even if students understand the topics in the class, they fail to retain it because the Human Nervous System doesn't store the relevant information perceiving it as insignificant. If the concept is illustrated with examples and/or real life applicantions, the “insignificant” information would turn “significant”.

To attain excellence in any subject and achieve the desired result, it is imperative to have the knowledge of core concepts along with its real time applications.

Students should implement the study plan in such a way that it should compliment classroom learning of any concept, identifying or observing its applications in real life, and then solving the relevant practice papers.

For instance, you were taught the concept of “Kinematics” in the class today. First off, you would need to understand the concept, then try finding its applications (How Kinematics is applicable in real life like calculating Speed, Velocity, Acceleration of a moving object and such others). Then revise the concept and try solving the relevant problems.

In another example, let us assume that the concept of “Biochemistry” was taught in the class. Identify/find its uses/applications like how it is helpful in real life. You'll come across many examples including “Biochemistry in Medical Applications” and such others.

Once you understand the concepts, try to Read as many relevant examples and applications as possible. This will allow you to get an in-depth knowledge of the concept which in turn will help you remember it.

It is worth recalling a famous quote on education by Martin Luther King, Jr. here, "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education."

The emergence of e-Learning technologies has made readers anywhere-anytime access to their desired topics. Learn math and science core concepts with well-illustrated examples and real-life applications here - www.wonderwhizkids.com

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