How-To & Education
Danica McKellar's Book "Math Doesn't Suck"
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How to Survive Middle-School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail
Actress/Mathematician Danica McKellar has come out with what promises to be a brilliant new book for middle-school girls. Find out more about it here.
Women and Math
More than Just a Beautiful Mind?
When have you heard of a Hollywood actress doing something for the minds of her fans? Think back, back...
I can't really think of anyone. Until now. Danica McKellar, actress and mathematician (summa cum laude from UCLA) is doing just that. She's written a book, "Math Doesn't Suck," which will be released on August 7, 2007. (Too late for my birthday - rats!)
The book appears to tackle touchy subjects - girls and math, young people and math, starlets, glamour anything that smacks of brains. I wish her luck!
In an interview with Tara C. Smith, the founder of Iowa Citizens for Science and a professor of epidemiology at the University of Iowa, McKellar said that she wrote the book "to show girls that math is accessible and relevant, and even a little glamorous" and to counteract "damaging social messages telling young girls that math and science aren't for them"[paraphrased from Wikipedia]
If you don't know Ms. McKellar, you should. She's probably best known for her role as Winnie (the girlfriend of Kevin, the star) in "The Wonder Years," (see the video, below).
She also starred recently in the TV show, "Inspector Mom." She's been in "The West Wing," "How I Met Your Mother," "Walker, Texas Ranger," "Babylon5," and "NCIS," as well as having done voices on video games, like "X-Men, Legends."
OK, but what is really cool is that she's authored a paper that proves a theorem in mathematical physics! Let's see you do that, Nicole Richie!
I can't really think of anyone. Until now. Danica McKellar, actress and mathematician (summa cum laude from UCLA) is doing just that. She's written a book, "Math Doesn't Suck," which will be released on August 7, 2007. (Too late for my birthday - rats!)
The book appears to tackle touchy subjects - girls and math, young people and math, starlets, glamour anything that smacks of brains. I wish her luck!
In an interview with Tara C. Smith, the founder of Iowa Citizens for Science and a professor of epidemiology at the University of Iowa, McKellar said that she wrote the book "to show girls that math is accessible and relevant, and even a little glamorous" and to counteract "damaging social messages telling young girls that math and science aren't for them"[paraphrased from Wikipedia]
If you don't know Ms. McKellar, you should. She's probably best known for her role as Winnie (the girlfriend of Kevin, the star) in "The Wonder Years," (see the video, below).
She also starred recently in the TV show, "Inspector Mom." She's been in "The West Wing," "How I Met Your Mother," "Walker, Texas Ranger," "Babylon5," and "NCIS," as well as having done voices on video games, like "X-Men, Legends."
OK, but what is really cool is that she's authored a paper that proves a theorem in mathematical physics! Let's see you do that, Nicole Richie!
Buy the Book
Amazon has a great deal on it. Learn more math, change your life now.
Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle-School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail
Amazon Price: $16.29 (as of 08/21/2008)
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The Real McKellar
Ms. McKellar in a short interview about what she likes and finds important.
The difference between this admirable, cool young woman and your garden-variety bimbo ( say, Lindsay, Paris ...) is exponential.
Can you imagine one of them promoting tutors, mentors and colleges?
Can you imagine one of them promoting tutors, mentors and colleges?
Danica McKellar How to make the World Better
Danica McKellar How to make the World Better
Runtime: 0:33
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9 Comments:
Links about Ms. McKellar and "Math Doesn't Suck"
- Ms. McKellar's own Website
- Very cool site. Besides the Hollywood stuff, there is a good link to Danica's mathematics. There's also a link where she answers readers' math questions.
- Interview with math whiz, author, and actress Danica McKellar
- From the blog "Aetiology" at scienceblogs.com
Quote:
"I'm hoping to help girls strengthen their fortitude and feelings of self-esteem through finding the courage to tackle the often-challenging subject of mathematics. I want them to feel empowered; if they can do math, they can do anything!" - Review: Danica McKellar's "Math Doesn't Suck"
- Very balanced review. By a very qualified reviewer.
- 'Wonder Years' actress: 'Smart is cool'
- CNN does a report on an actress that's not about drugs or pregnancy. Imagine that!
- Actress McKellar: Smarts, Looks Add Up
- Ms. McKellar in the Washinton Post
- God Plays Dice blog
- Another interesting post.
- "Math Doesn't Suck" at The MathMojo Chronicles
- This is my own math blog. These are my comments about the book, and why it's necessary.
- An Essay by Danica McKellar in "Sirens" Magazine
- Ms. McKellar in her own words.
Danica as "Winnie" in the Wonder Years
If you're a kid and don't know what the big deal with "The Wonder Years" was, go get your mom to watch this, and watch her cry.
This is a montage of "Winnie/Kevin" scenes from "The Wonder Years" with a great Motown soundtrack from Jimmy Ruffin. If you don't know what Motown is, then scram kid, you're too dumb to learn math (just kidding!)
The Wonder Years - Kevin and Winnie Clip Reel
The best moments with Kevin Arnold and Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years...one of the best shows ever. Copyright Audio of this Video: UMG http://www.umusic.com Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes of the Broken Hearted Listen and Download from itunes or Amazon Today! http://l1brsuga.imeem.com/music/NldRp6GJ/jimmy_ruffin_what_becomes_of_the_brokenhearted/
Runtime: 2:57
123180 views
10 Comments:
Danica Talks Math
On 20/20
This is probably the best interview I've seen with her so far.
Helpful Math and Multiplication links
- MathMojo
- This is my main website. It was conceived to help people who think they suck at math. There are lots of mental math tips, and encouragement for people who know they are smart, yet have struggled to learn math.
- The Math Mojo Chronicles
- The official weblog of MathMojo. Posts about math and critical thinking. Irreverant, but relevant!
- Math and Magic
- The skinny on how to use thinking methods of magicians to learn something useful, and fun.
Forget those silly "add your age to the number of coins in your pocket, divide by 5, multiply by ... etc" tricks.
This is about using magic to accomplish something that means something! - Learn2multiply
- An amazing method to learn the "tables", and an amazing way to teach it. If you know someone who needs help with basic multiplication, this is it.
Why am I writing about "Math Doesn't Suck"?
Hint: The Answer's in the Title
OK, let's clear up a few things. I'm not particularly interested in "gender studies." I wish the human race had gotten our gender issues sorted out before the 21st century. It's embarrassing that there are still stereotypes about girls, boys and brains.
So someone is taking the myth of "girls-can't-do-math" head on. Bravo.
I know I can't do it. I don't have the insight, nor the desire. I don't care about the women-and-math thing that much, myself. But I do like the Idea of a woman being able to bash any idiot who would limit her being a fully enfranchised person.
What I do care about is Ideas. And empowering any human to care about Ideas is a good thing. And math is a world full of Ideas.
"Math Doesn't Suck" doesn't quite address the world of Ideas as I see them, but, heck, I didn't write it, so it doesn't have to. I think Ms. McKellar has addressed the world of math as she sees it quite well.
Now more the point - The main reason I got fascinated with this book is because of the title. I have been writing for years, and the working title of one of my main books has been "Why You Suck at Math." (No, I don't think you suck at math - the book will explain what I mean, but you'll have to wait awhile for it.)
So naturally, when a book with a title like "Math Doesn't Suck" comes out, I have to investigate.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was written by a woman, and I was even more surprised that it was written by an actress.
Let me say right now, that although I have seen "The Wonder Years," I was never actually a fan. It ran while I was living overseas, so I never even got to see it in English when it was popular. I've seen a couple of re-runs, and thought they were OK.
So I've never exactly been a fan of Danica McKellar, the actress. Never knew much about her. To tell you the truth, after watching a few YouTube clips of "Inspector Mom," I don't think I'm going to be a big fan. But she's serious and she's successful, and I admire that.
At the time I heard about the book, I also found out about Squidoo, and I wanted to experiment. So this became my first lens, and I got hooked on Squidoo, so it looks like this book is stuck with this lens.
And of course, I'm really glad about the book. It provides a much needed service.
So someone is taking the myth of "girls-can't-do-math" head on. Bravo.
I know I can't do it. I don't have the insight, nor the desire. I don't care about the women-and-math thing that much, myself. But I do like the Idea of a woman being able to bash any idiot who would limit her being a fully enfranchised person.
What I do care about is Ideas. And empowering any human to care about Ideas is a good thing. And math is a world full of Ideas.
"Math Doesn't Suck" doesn't quite address the world of Ideas as I see them, but, heck, I didn't write it, so it doesn't have to. I think Ms. McKellar has addressed the world of math as she sees it quite well.
Now more the point - The main reason I got fascinated with this book is because of the title. I have been writing for years, and the working title of one of my main books has been "Why You Suck at Math." (No, I don't think you suck at math - the book will explain what I mean, but you'll have to wait awhile for it.)
So naturally, when a book with a title like "Math Doesn't Suck" comes out, I have to investigate.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was written by a woman, and I was even more surprised that it was written by an actress.
Let me say right now, that although I have seen "The Wonder Years," I was never actually a fan. It ran while I was living overseas, so I never even got to see it in English when it was popular. I've seen a couple of re-runs, and thought they were OK.
So I've never exactly been a fan of Danica McKellar, the actress. Never knew much about her. To tell you the truth, after watching a few YouTube clips of "Inspector Mom," I don't think I'm going to be a big fan. But she's serious and she's successful, and I admire that.
At the time I heard about the book, I also found out about Squidoo, and I wanted to experiment. So this became my first lens, and I got hooked on Squidoo, so it looks like this book is stuck with this lens.
And of course, I'm really glad about the book. It provides a much needed service.
Do you have any positive stories about how you learned math?
All comments about helping yourself and/or others learn math are wanted.
Have problems learning math? Have solutions? Let us know!
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Evelyn_Saenz
What a great lens! I have added it to my favorites and joined your fan club. Posted April 12, 2008 |
Sal
Nice info.
Posted October 01, 2007
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GypsyPirate
Great information here, this is a wonderful resource! Posted September 25, 2007 |
Linda Moran
I had a series of outstanding math teachers from 1962 all the way until 1975 in the Levittown Public School System. They taught math with meaning. We had to understand the derivation of everything. But it wasn't "reform math" either. It was straightforward, traditional, rigorous instruction.
Posted September 03, 2007
Math Convert
I think this site is great! How did you think of all this stuff? Heartwarming and inspiring. I will get this book for my daughter a.s.a.p.
Posted August 12, 2007
The7thWave
As I'm sure you've heard a million times (oops, is that math??) "where were you when I was in school?" Thank goodness someone is taking the mystery out of math. Kudos to you!
Posted August 07, 2007
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PotPieGirl
Brian - what a fun and unique lens! Very nice! Posted August 07, 2007 |
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Think outside the "Tables"
I wrote this e-book because I was disgusted with the way we are normally taught how to multiply. This booklet will open your eyes to a new world. You will learn a method to teach any child basic multiplication of single-digit numbers (what we normally call "the times tables" or "multiplication facts" in about two minutes.The booklet then goes on to show how to "lock this knowledge in."
It also comes with seven e-mail lessons that will show you the math behind the method, so you can actually understand and show your child why it works!
I truly believe that every parent and teacher should know what is taught in this booklet, so every child can have a meaningful, helpful method for dealing with this important subject.
The e-booklet is only $9.95. That's a small investment to give you or your child an advantage in this basic life-skill.
You can find out more about "Numbers Juggling - (Times without the Tables)" now.
Caveat Emptor
"Math Doesn't Suck" is great, but it's not perfect.
Look, "Math Doesn't Suck" teaches math in a great way. The message about popularity and femininity is not my cup of meat, though.
Buy the premiss, buy the plot, I say. If you have a "normal" daugher, who is concerned with those things, get this book!
On the other hand, if your daughter is already mature and intelligent, the whole "make-up-and-boys" thing may turn her off, in a big way. And I do mean very mature and intelligent. So if your girl is a geek, don't waste your time with this book.
If your daughter is pretty anti-social (may be a sign of intelligence, may not be), you may want to give this book a miss, too. If you give this book to a Goth girl, you probably will deserve the disrespect she gives you.
Here's a except from a comment I added to a post at the Aetiology blog:
I am an advocate for the book, but with serious qualifications. Your post, and the comments of your readers, addresses many of the issues I'm concerned with.
As a middle-aged white man, (and a cranky one at that) I'd like to come down on this book for the obvious reasons. But I am hoping it will be a gateway for girls who suffer from mathophobia to becoming more intelligent and confident. Intelligence and confidence are two things that will then become their own gateway away from consumerism and superficiality.
Many teens eventually grow out of those demons, and ability with math and critical-thinking skills can only speed up the process, no? The obsession with "femininity" and "popularity" are stages. They will eventually subside in healthy women, whereas the obsession with improving your mind only grows.
Ms. McKellar seems to be planting some decent seeds for growth.
'Nuff said.
Buy the premiss, buy the plot, I say. If you have a "normal" daugher, who is concerned with those things, get this book!
On the other hand, if your daughter is already mature and intelligent, the whole "make-up-and-boys" thing may turn her off, in a big way. And I do mean very mature and intelligent. So if your girl is a geek, don't waste your time with this book.
If your daughter is pretty anti-social (may be a sign of intelligence, may not be), you may want to give this book a miss, too. If you give this book to a Goth girl, you probably will deserve the disrespect she gives you.
Here's a except from a comment I added to a post at the Aetiology blog:
-----------
This is without a doubt the most important post on any site about McKellar's book so far. Thanks for opening it up.I am an advocate for the book, but with serious qualifications. Your post, and the comments of your readers, addresses many of the issues I'm concerned with.
As a middle-aged white man, (and a cranky one at that) I'd like to come down on this book for the obvious reasons. But I am hoping it will be a gateway for girls who suffer from mathophobia to becoming more intelligent and confident. Intelligence and confidence are two things that will then become their own gateway away from consumerism and superficiality.
Many teens eventually grow out of those demons, and ability with math and critical-thinking skills can only speed up the process, no? The obsession with "femininity" and "popularity" are stages. They will eventually subside in healthy women, whereas the obsession with improving your mind only grows.
Ms. McKellar seems to be planting some decent seeds for growth.
________________
For the entire discussion at that post, see the Aetiology blog.'Nuff said.
For Danica's Publicists
Update!
Bravo! You guys are doing a great job. I see articles and posts for the book all over the web.
I just got my copy in the mail this morning, and it is excellent!
Good work!
I just got my copy in the mail this morning, and it is excellent!
Good work!
Look who made this lens!
Homunculus
Hi,
My name is Brian Foley (a.k.a. "Professor Homunculus" at the mathmojo.com site).
I am not a "math guy" and never was. I don't care about the school subject of... more
My name is Brian Foley (a.k.a. "Professor Homunculus" at the mathmojo.com site).
I am not a "math guy" and never was. I don't care about the school subject of... more
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