Here comes the global economy. Unfortunately this brave poses a serious and formidable challenge to the United States. The problem is that our children are just not showing much interest or skills in the areas of math, engineering, science, or technology. As the workers of the baby boomer generation start to retire, we not only need to fill these jobs, but prepare our young people to compete for the global jobs of the future. Could the media of the math comic book be part of the solution to the problem?
As we enter this brave new age, we need brand new media tools. Not just the internet, but other ways to teach math and science to our children. Children need to be shown that math can be very practical to the hobbies and interests that they have at such a young age. For example, math is very important in calculating the statistics of their favorite sports star. Mathematics principles are also at heart in the world of music. If our kids learn that math is not only practical, but fun, they will be more likely to choose a profession in it in when they get much older.
How about math comic strips? Could this be considered to be a “new media” tool? Perhaps in some ways. While it’s true that comics have been around for years and years, they have mostly been used to entertain. We have all read a comic about a superhero, or a talking mouse, or young love. How many times have we read a comic that taught us mathematics? Since kids love to read comics, if we can use this format to teach them science and math, we will all win. They will be entertained and educated, and we will help set our kids on a course that is wonderful for the nation’s future.