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Why mathematics outreach ?

Why mathematics outreach ?. Martin Andler Professor, Université de Versailles St-Quentin Président, Animath. Altruistic motivations. Cultural. Science, including mathematics , is part of our common culture. Modern science is one of the major achievements of humanity .

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Why mathematics outreach ?

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  1. Whymathematicsoutreach ? Martin AndlerProfessor, Université de Versailles St-QuentinPrésident, Animath

  2. Altruistic motivations

  3. Cultural • Science, includingmathematics, is part of ourcommon culture. • Modern science is one of the major achievements of humanity. • It is essential for ourunderstanding of the World we live in. • As scholars of the field, mostlypubliclyfunded, we have a duty to convey the sense of whatwe are doing to the public

  4.  Emphasise the achievementsof mathematics • Convey the beauty of mathematics. • Describe the past and presentachievements of mathematics. • Show how mathematicshelps us in understanding the world. • Conveythatmathematics – and mathematicians – are alive and well

  5. For the prosperity of oursocieties • Mathematicsplays a very large part in economicdevelopment(Deloitte, Measuring the EconomicBenefits of M athematical Science Research in the U K (2010), Etude sur l'Impact Socio-Economique des Mathématiques en France (2015). • A good level of mathematicalcompetence in the workforceis the single most important factor of growth(Hanushek & Wössmann, EconomicPolicy, July 2011).

  6.  Emphasisethe effectivenessof mathematics • By talking to business leaders • By talking to politicians • By talking to taxpayers

  7. Get more mathematicallyknowledgeableadults • It isalsoourduty to increasethe generalmathematicalcapacity of our society at large • Understanding math of everyday life, so as to help people beresponsible and empoweredcitizens

  8. Not soaltruistic motivations

  9. Find, motivate and train future researchmathematicians • It isperfectlylegitimate to address the needs of oustandingstudents; and itisourresponsibility to do so • Organise advanced math camps, competitions etc. • Show to thosestudentssomeadvancedmathematics

  10. Find, motivate, train future mathematics (& STEM) students • Thesestudentswillbe the teachers, engineers, scientists of tomorrow • Sameactivities as before, but with a broader audience

  11. Non altruistic

  12. Get more funding for research • Beinginvolved in outreachactivitieswillallow us to relate better to society, businesses, politicians • Hencewewillbe in a better position to argue for betterfunding for mathematics (whichisactually the onlythingthatwe are interested in)

  13. Advertise for ouruniversity • Beinginvolved in outreachactivitieswillmakeour institution more visible and interesting • Hencewewillget more funding, students etc.

  14. Altruistic-political issues

  15. Remedy social injustice • Mathematics far from immune from social inequalities in access to highereducation; • Different countries are more or lessaffected by thatkind of social inequality • Informal educationcan (must) play a remedialrole

  16. The gender issue • The differences in girls’/boys’ attitudes towardsmathematics are universal. • Some of us (but not all) thinkthatthisis a problem • either a moral problem • or a pragmaticproblem:increasing the numbers of womenembracing STEM studies and careersis the surestway to increase the numbers.

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