#29: Making maths great again

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This week’s highlight was a career orientation day I got to present on in a well-known high school. I represented our dear college WJSZ probably for the last time in such an official setting, so it was great to seize such an opportunity.

My aim was to open the students’ eyes to the fact that how much more lies beyond the numerical juggling of high school mathematics.

I told them that I myself was not great in this calculation-based mathematics, and here I stand, one tiny step away from earning my bachelor’s in math.

I gave them countless examples of how we can apply our mathematical worldview to any industry, and how can we help people in the process. It was such a great feeling, when the time came to questions, I saw in some eyes the very thing that lead me to pursue mathematics.

The genuine curiosity towards something unknown to you.

The belief that something is beyond nasty integrals and remarkable identities, there has to be something more.

When I walked in in the morning, I had one goal in mind. If I can make one student feel that surge of excitement that I felt when I heard a talk like this, I succeeded.

My goal was not to pursue everyone to get a maths degree, merely to make them consider it (or rather not instantly dismiss it). It’s certainly not for everyone, but so many people would thrive in it if they only considered it.

As always, thanks for reading, and I hope to see you next time,

G