Each year, I take a bus up to New York City and stay in a swanky hotel, just to hang out with my great colleagues of the American Society for Journalists and Authors. The workshops and speakers are amazing. But best of
How Do Writers Use Math?
Party Like It’s 3-14-15
Yeah, I’m a big ol’ math nerd, but everyone has to admit: Ultimate Pi Day is a big deal. It only comes around once a century. So why not celebrate? Plan an impromptu Pi Day Party The good folks at Uncommon Goods have
Get the Party Started: Celebrate Pi Day!
If you have the kind of Facebook or Twitter newsfeed that I have, you have likely figured out that March 14, 2015 is pretty darned special. And at 9:26 a.m., there’s even more reason to celebrate. That exact time is
Math at Work Monday: Amy the Pastry Chef
Yummy, yummy in my tummy… the old saying goes. Amy Hassler has been a pastry chef for more than 10 years, and just interviewing her made my mouth water. What a fun job she has! I guess she’s a great example
You Can Do Math, Promise. (Video)
The more I talk to people about math, the more I realize this one simple fact: Math ability hinges on confidence. If you think you can do it, you can. And even though I don’t know you at all, I know
Algorithms: Good for machines, bad for people
This headline is a lie. It’s not that I think algorithms are bad. They’re not. Honestly, I think that’s how many of us move through our days without killing ourselves or someone else. We habitually take the medications prescribed by
Math at Work Monday: Matt the Quality Control Specialist
Quality in our car parts is important, would’t you say? I don’tknow about you, but I don’t want to drive down the road using mis-manufactured car parts. Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Matt Case who has been a
Math is about Concepts, not Right Answers (Video)
Math is black-and-white, all about right and wrong answers. Right? Well, not really. In fact, math is a lot more like writing than hitting on the correct answers. Turns out, focusing on the concepts might just help you learn to
What is an Algorithm?
For years I’ve been telling people that allowing people to discover mathematical concepts is way better than teaching an algorithm. And a few months ago, a smart friend of mine asked, “What’s an algorithm?” Duh. I should probably explain that
Estimation is a Powerful Math Tool (Video)
If you’ve ever been stuck in a grocery store wondering if you have enough cash in your pocket to cover what you need, you’re probably pretty familiar with the power of estimation. In this video, I show you how to
Math: It’s Not Just for Science Writers
Yeah, yeah. I get it. You became a writer because you didn’t want to do math. You got into editing a general interest magazine, because you wouldn’t be required to remember the difference between mean and median. Or you decided
Math at Work Monday: Audrey the Birth Doula
As a woman, I know there is nothing more life-changing than giving birth to a child. It’s a time when you most need the support of people around you. You need encouragement. I had the pleasure of interviewing Audrey Kalman