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Mathematics has been the broccoli of school subjects for generations of Australian teenagers.

Often pushed aside, dreaded, or even feared, nearly opt out of any senior math courses.

This has serious implications for Australia's future. As an Australian Academy of Science warned on Thursday, we need people with math skills to support a whole range of careers in science. This includes agricultural science, artificial intelligence, data science, biotechnology and climate science.

The skills we gain during school mathematics—problem-solving, pattern-finding, reasoning logically, and computational thinking—are essential to the work of many STEM careers.

The challenge is turning math from broccoli to the ingredient every student wants on their plate for their future. So, what can we do?

What has been happening with high school math?

Across Australia, in students studying math in years 11 and 12 since the 1990s. Today, of Australian high school students study the most difficult level of math.

There are diverse reasons explaining why students opt out of math during school.

Many students of the math they are learning for their future. Others have and avoid math, believing they are not capable. An has also led to students being drawn to more enticing alternatives.

What can parents do?

Research parents' attitudes towards math can predict the attitudes their children will have towards the subject.

This means we need to be careful as parents. If we have negative attitudes towards math due to our own anxieties or past struggles, our children's attitudes and performance too.

Instead, parents should try to focus on the positive aspects of math.

For example, this is a subject where you learn about the mechanics of the world, rather than a subject to be endured before moving to the "fun" stuff. Math can come alive once we notice how we use it in sports, art, cooking, travel, money management and games.

Parents can also be curious co-learners with their children—we never need to have all the answers ourselves. But showing interest, having a (a belief you can improve your abilities through effort), and asking questions positive attitudes and performance in math.

You can also talk to your child about why mastering math is central to a , from coding to trades, retail, nursing, animation and architecture.

What should schools do?

Research 20% of 15-year-old boys and 33% of 15-year-old girls do not think math will be relevant to their future.

So we need a new approach to careers advice in schools. Students need adequate support from informed adults to make accurate judgments about career pathways—emphasizing .

On top of this, schools could consider the ways in which mathematics is celebrated and promoted in schools. While music, drama, and sport days are regular features of the school calendar, math is rarely included. Exciting math competitions and math days are prime opportunities to show students how important math is in our world.

What about teachers?

Some of us may remember math lessons as rather dry with a focus on lots of questions and whether something was "wrong" or "right."

So teachers who for students and maximize opportunities for success are crucial.

This involves (how does this concept apply to something physical in the real world?).

Teachers should also provide to students (what educators call "scaffolding"), so young people experience a sense of achievement and success with math. Success builds motivation, creating an upward spiral of positive math experiences.

What can governments do?

The alarm bells over math participation have been raised for 30 years, with supporting research into this phenomenon.

Despite this, the declines persist, and gender gaps in math have widened, with and .

So while governments should continue to support research into this matter, they should prioritize translating it into practical strategies for schools and teachers.

Some evidence-based approaches include:

• , where teachers set ambitious goals, create supportive classrooms, and believe all students can achieve
• , where teachers show students the practical implications of their learning
• , which help students believe in their abilities.

Getting kids back into math

Math participation is both a national concern and something we should all be personally attuned to.

The lifestyles of future generations will be dependent on our capacity to be STEM innovators.

At an individual level, when students opt-out of mathematics, they are potentially closing many doors in their lives and career.

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