From math to science: How weak math skills hurt students with Therese Markow (Ep 40)
Chalk & Talk24 Jan 2025

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

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

52:58 Conclusion and final Thoughts

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES

Ep 2. Evidence-based teaching strategies with Paul Kirschner https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-zgw6i-13b33df

Ep 16. Applying cognitive science to education with Daniel Willingham https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-szugf-149dff1

Ep 22. Mindsets and educational misconceptions with Carl Hendrick https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-78zv9-15493b1

Ep 35. Preparation for university math with Darja Barr and Dan Wolczuk https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-b8ssx-171a631

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

https://www.annastokke.com/ep-40-transcript

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.annastokke.com/ep-40-resources

MUSIC

Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Blue Dot Sessions – Balti, Cases to Rest Podington Bear – No Squirrel Commotion, Kitten

Website: www.annastokke.com

X: @rastokke

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c

Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social

Episoder(68)

Why reading became a human rights issue in Canada with George Georgiou (Ep 59)

Why reading became a human rights issue in Canada with George Georgiou (Ep 59)

In this episode, Anna talks with Dr. George Georgiou, an educational psychologist and professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, whose work focuses on preventing and remediati...

21 Nov 20251h 12min

When a mathematician became education minister: Nuno Crato on transforming education (Ep 58)

When a mathematician became education minister: Nuno Crato on transforming education (Ep 58)

In this episode, Anna Stokke welcomes Dr. Nuno Crato, research professor of mathematics and statistics at the University of Lisbon. He was Portugal’s former Minister of Education and led major educati...

7 Nov 20251h 6min

Top takeaways from Anita Archer on explicit instruction (abridged version of Ep 57)

Top takeaways from Anita Archer on explicit instruction (abridged version of Ep 57)

This episode features top takeaways from Anna Stokke’s interview: The Power of Explicit Instruction with Dr. Anita Archer. If you haven’t heard the full conversation yet, you can find the entire episo...

30 Okt 202532min

The power of explicit instruction with Anita Archer (Ep 57)

The power of explicit instruction with Anita Archer (Ep 57)

Episode 57:  The power of explicit instruction with Anita Archer In this episode, Anna Stokke welcomes Dr. Anita Archer, one of the world’s leading experts on explicit instruction and co-author of the...

25 Okt 20251h 17min

Unmasking instructional illusions with Paul Kirschner, Carl Hendrick and Jim Heal (Ep 56)

Unmasking instructional illusions with Paul Kirschner, Carl Hendrick and Jim Heal (Ep 56)

In this episode, Anna Stokke welcomes three leading experts in education, Dr. Paul Kirschner, Dr. Carl Hendrick, and Dr. Jim Heal for a fascinating discussion about their new book, Instructional Illus...

10 Okt 20251h 13min

Mailbag: How to get started with evidence-based math instruction & tackle gaps with Jonathan Regino (Ep 55)

Mailbag: How to get started with evidence-based math instruction & tackle gaps with Jonathan Regino (Ep 55)

In this episode, Anna Stokke hosts an informative mailbag edition with guest Jonathan Regino, supervisor of math (pre-K-12) at Interboro School District in Pennsylvania and an experienced classroom te...

26 Sep 20251h 2min

Balanced literacy didn’t work—will balanced math? with Ben Solomon (Ep 54)

Balanced literacy didn’t work—will balanced math? with Ben Solomon (Ep 54)

In this episode, Anna Stokke speaks with Dr. Ben Solomon, professor and researcher at the University at Albany with expertise in math assessment and intervention. Ben returns to the podcast to discuss...

12 Sep 20251h 9min

Using the Instructional Hierarchy to teach math with Brendan Lee (Ep 53)

Using the Instructional Hierarchy to teach math with Brendan Lee (Ep 53)

In this episode, Anna Stokke chats with Brendan Lee, a teacher and educational consultant focused on bridging the gap between educational research and classroom practice. They discuss the instructiona...

22 Aug 20251h 3min

Populært innen Fakta

fastlegen
dine-penger-pengeradet
relasjonspodden-med-dora-thorhallsdottir-kjersti-idem
treningspodden
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
foreldreradet
rss-sunn-okonomi
jakt-og-fiskepodden
takk-og-lov-med-anine-kierulf
sinnsyn
rss-kunsten-a-leve
merry-quizmas
gravid-uke-for-uke
hverdagspsyken
smart-forklart
hagespiren-podcast
rss-kull
lederskap-nhhs-podkast-om-ledelse
fryktlos
uroskolen