> I came back to add that teaching mathematics in the context of science as early as possible should help a great deal
I think this hits the nail on the head. The first time I realized that science == math, I was in late high school.
I wonder how my absorption of the material would have changed had I made that connection earlier. I know that being able to apply math to chemistry and physics made it much easier for me to learn algebra and calculus, if only because it now had an applicable purpose beyond being its own abstract set of concepts.
In my highschool, (to graduate) everyone had to take calculus, normally in 12th grade. Unfortunately, physics (required in 11th grade) makes a hell of a lot more sense if you have some basic calculus first. All the kinematic equations are just random terms until you see that they're all derivatives/integrals of each other.
On the other hand, My wife went through the british school system, and didn't have any math or science after age 13. It was all languages and such.
The american system delays specialization for a long time, generally till the second half of college. (or even into grad school). The UK specializes way earlier, and you can get away with a small handful of related subjects after A levels.
I think this hits the nail on the head. The first time I realized that science == math, I was in late high school.
I wonder how my absorption of the material would have changed had I made that connection earlier. I know that being able to apply math to chemistry and physics made it much easier for me to learn algebra and calculus, if only because it now had an applicable purpose beyond being its own abstract set of concepts.