Since launching this website in 2011, Math at Work Monday has been an extremely popular feature.Teachers let me know that they love sharing insight from these interviews with their students. (What better way to answer the question, “When am I ever going to use this stuff?”) Other grownups have told me that the interviews help them identify when they’re using math in their everyday lives.
Over the years, I’ve interviewed a variety of different people — from an astronaut to a fish hatchery technician to a glass artist. All jobs are terrific fits — because as we all know, Everyone Does Math.
(Did you catch my Everyone Does Math video? Check it out!)
In fact, the series has been so successful, I’m launching a special printed option for teachers and homeschoolers, including unique student-directed questions. I’ll start with one set of my favorite interviews, which can be downloaded as printable worksheets for use in the classroom or at home. Stay tuned for the details, coming in two weeks!
Now I need your help! I’m looking for new people to interview in the next month. If you or someone you know is up for it, let me know. You can email me at laura@mathforgrownups.com (include their names and email addresses). If you’ve been around for a while, you know that the process is simple. My wonderful assistant, Kelly emails a list of questions — yes, everyone gets the same questions! — you respond to the questions and email them back to Kelly. That’s all. Painless.
So what kind of folks am I looking for? You name it!
- dentist, orthodontist, dental hygienist
- pet groomer, dog walker
- EMT
- chiropractor
- divorce attorney
- security officer, military personnel, state trooper
- archeologist
- chef, pastry chef, caterer, butcher
- makeup artist
- interior designer
- surgical nurse
- prosthetic engineer
- truck driver, tow truck owner
- actuary
But you can probably come up with even more great ideas. If you have suggestions (but don’t have someone to recommend), go ahead and post them in the comments section.
I’m so proud of the Math at Work Monday series, and I thank you for making it so popular and for making it possible. I look forward to receiving your recommendations. Remember, email me with potential interviewee’s names and email addresses at laura@mathforgrownups.com.
Photo Credit: stefanweihs via Compfight cc
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