K-12 Mathematics Outreach Scientist

 We are at a critical tipping point in the post-industrial revolution, with society moving from the fourth industrial revolution to something closer to the Metaverse. We have witnessed a shift in the job market, to jobs that are quantitative in nature; over the last 10 years, companies like Walmart have gradually replaced most of the cashiers with self-service machines, and drones are now automating mail delivery, robots are now packing things at warehouses, and existing pilot work suggest that taxis and trucks soon will be driving themselves. Such trends portend grave disruption for Canada’s youth especially Black youths, who primarily gain employment in fields jeopardized by such shifts. By contrast, STEM fields constitute an area of strong growth in the job market, with those with mathematical backgrounds enjoying some of the highest gains. In a recent report, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the job market for mathematicians will grow by a whopping 33% in the next decade, and calculates that mathematicians already earn almost three times the US average salary.

Unfortunately, the patterns of employment among Canada’s Black youth stand to benefit little from the marked growth in employment in STEM-related fields. Without a shift toward jobs in quantitative fields, we are at risk of entering an era marked by high levels of un- and under-employment, particularly within the Black community. This could lead to missed opportunities. Realizing such a quantitative shift will require investment in key engagement opportunities at the K-12 level. Based on current statistics, students who are passionate about Mathematics in high school are likely to end up in a STEM-related field. Several factors currently prevent students from being passionate about math. These include lack of STEM mentorship and role models, culture and discouraging messaging in the classrooms/school, lack of parental appreciation and support for math borne of adverse parental experiences in math classrooms, lack of career education about careers in math, etc. Clearly, good mathematics grades are required for admission into many post-secondary programs. As many students attest when reaching university, investment in high school math is a key enabler for high later achievement. Hence the reason behind the outreach program.