Crafting Confident Scientists with Strong Mathematical Foundations

Curious about how much math is involved in biology, chemistry, and physics? Join Doc, a former biochemist turned educator, as she breaks down the essential math skills needed for each branch of science. Whether you're teaching in a classroom, homeschooling, or online, Doc's insights are invaluable.

This episode goes beyond listing math prerequisites; it provides strategies to engage students and simplify complex theories. Doc demonstrates how to apply math skills, from understanding ratios in genetics to using trigonometry in physics. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of significant figures in scientific accuracy.

Whether you're tackling Hardy-Weinberg equations or heat transfer calculations, Doc's advice ensures that math seamlessly integrates with science, setting your students up for success in their academic journey.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Today I'm addressing the question what math do I need to teach before introducing specific sciences? I'm going to break down the exact math requirements for biology, chemistry and physics, then the best way to tackle adding math to your lessons, because, let's face it, sometimes our students are just not happy with math and it can be challenging to get them engaged with math. Welcome to Teaching High School Science. I'm your host, doc, a former biochemist turned high school science teacher and private tutor. Whether you're homeschooling your team through high school science or teaching online, join me as I share tips and strategies I've learned over the years for at home and online labs and activities, breaking down complex concepts and structuring learning in a way that makes sense. Now let's dive into today's topics. So let's first talk about biology. You surprised as many of my parents, so, yes, there is math in biology. They will need to have a good understanding of ratios, specifically how to determine ratios given a set of information, and then they will need to know how to write ratios in fraction form and the ability to convert these fractions into percentages. We convert between ratios, fractions and percentages and a lot in genetics, and students really do enjoy this unit. Another layer of consideration for biology is the level of biology, for example, honors. They would definitely want to be familiar with quadratic equations for solving problems with Hardy-Winberg. And then AP. Biology uses statistics, particularly Chi-square.

Speaker 1: 1:40

Now, talking about chemistry, it gets a bit more involved. So let's start with the basics. They'll need to have a strong foundation of the order of operations. There are a lot of mixed operation calculations in chemistry and they love to just skip right on past that. To get the math done quickly and out of the way, you have to slow them down and remind them about the order of operations. And since there are a lot of really large and really small numbers in chemistry, we use a lot of scientific notation. They need to be comfortable moving the numbers into and out of scientific notation, as well as completing all the operations addition, subtraction, multiplication and division with exponents. Now, other math skills that they will need in chemistry include solving algebraic equations. An example would be heat transfer in specific heat capacity. They may be given information in the equation and as to calculate either the heat that's transferred, the temperature change, specific heat, any of the variables within that equation. They need to not only understand algebraic expressions but how to manipulate that algebraic expression in order to solve for a particular variable, and some equations have variables that are squared, so they need to understand how to use squares and square roots when solving for variables within algebraic expressions. They will need to understand logarithmic functions for assets and bases and quadratic equations for equilibrium and ice tables.

Speaker 1: 3:11

Now, moving on to physics, many of the math skills in physics mirror chemistry. They need to understand scientific notation. They need to understand algebraic expressions in the order of operations. Now, in addition to this, we need to add in trig functions, particularly sine, cosine and tangent. They're going to be asked to solve for the angle or maybe a distance or displacement using these functions, and these functions are used a lot in two-dimensional forces and motion problems. Now, something that both chemistry and physics will need, especially honors and above, is significant figures. So if you're really planning to prepare them for college, you want to introduce significant figures, which should have been introduced in math, and I will go over the rules for determining significant figures and even the operations for significant figures in the later podcast.

Speaker 1: 4:04

Now let's address another common question that usually coincides with the first, and that is can you teach the math skill they need at the time that we get there in science? Well, the answer is yes, you can teach that math skill or wait for that math skill when you get there, but it's not the ideal approach. A big part of this is that there may be other foundational skills that are needed before they can even learn and apply the desired skill. I mean, let's face it, it can be challenging enough to learn math skills, even the basic math skills. So adding another layer on top of this of learning the basic math skill may introduce layers of complexity that may increase their anxiety or even just cause an all-out mutiny. Students should develop problem-solving skills and be familiar with the basic math concepts first and then add a layer of science concepts At some point in class.

Speaker 1: 5:04

When I know that math skill is coming up, I will often just take a little bit of time, review the math skill with familiar topics before overlaying the science. While it takes a little time on the front end, it's so paced off on the back end. It provides them with a foundation, a memory, a skill that they're comfortable with to attach more information to, and this helps them to focus on what the math is telling them about the science concept, over trying to learn the math itself. Another thing to consider is that leaving filling in the gaps for any math skills that they need to complete that science at the time it arises in science can lead to a dislike for science. And by this I mean that ensuring that the math skills they need for the subject are mastered before teaching the subject, you not only assure that the students have required the necessary skills, but you're also fostering a more holistic and enjoyable learning experience for science. So while math supports the concept of science, let's face it, it is often a dreaded component and adds complexity. But it doesn't have to, especially when we allow students to become comfortable with the math first, then add the science.

Speaker 1: 6:20

So tell me what have been your successes and challenges with math and science, and with this question has come a ton of conversation. I have learned a lot about successes and challenges when tackling math and science, even to the point of hey, we're just going conceptual with this. Let me know if you have any questions, ideas or other experiences that you'd like to share. Head on over to my podcast page, which you can access by visiting my website at thesciencementorcom. Then select podcasts from the menu and subscribe now to the teaching high school science podcast for your regular dose of motivation and, just in time, science ideas Together. Let's make high school science a journey of exploration and achievement. Until next time, remember curiosity leads to endless possibilities.