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It is often said mathematics is a foundation of learning. Communications, computer science, the arts, the Internet, space exploration all are based on underlying mathematical concepts. In its most recent international survey, the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA.) ranked the United States in 27th place for student performance in math. What are the causes and what is being done about it?
人們通常說數學是學習的基礎。通信、計算機科學、藝術、網絡、太空探索都建立在基本的數學概念上。在最近的國際調查中，國際學生評估項目（PISA）將美國學生在數學上的表現排在27名。原因是什么，對此我們又采取了什么措施？
Mathematics is more than arithmetic. Scientists and philosophers throughout history have called it the foundation of all knowledge, and praise its simple beauty. Yet many Americans seem to have a problem with it. In a recent survey, one in three Americans admitted that they're not good at math. Here nationally renowned mathematician and Dean of the School of Education, Albert knows why.
數學不僅僅是算術。歷史上科學家和哲學家把數學稱為所有知識的基石，并稱贊了它的簡潔美。然而很多美國人似乎都學不好它。在近來的一項調查中，有三分之一的美國人承認他們的數學并不好。聞名全國的數學家及教育學校的院長艾伯特知道為什么。
"Elementary school teachers in this country, and Europe as well, are part of that general population and consequently they bring that dislike of mathematics subconsciously, sometimes consciously at other times, to the classroom and as a result the teaching mathematics at the elementary school level lacks motivation, lacks enthusiasm. The enthusiasm of the teacher is extremely important in turning kids on to the subject matter," said Albert.
“美國和歐洲的一部分小學老師就屬于數學不好的人，所以他們會有意無意的在學生面前把對數學的厭倦表現出來，因此小學里的數學教學缺乏動力和熱情。老師的熱情對于讓孩子關注這門學科非常重要。”艾伯特說。
Turning kids on to math is the goal of the National Museum of Mathematics in New York City. It's a one-of-a-kind museum that resembles a high-tech playground with more than 30 hands-on attractions.
將孩子的注意力轉向數學是位于紐約市的國家數學博物館的目的。那是一個與高科技運動場相似的博物館，有三十多種吸引注意力的親身體驗。
"And as a nation we need to get kids more excited about math and about science, technology, and engineering because that's our productivity, that's our workforce," said Lawrence, the Executive Director of MoMath.
“對國家而言，我們需要讓孩子對數學和科學、技術、工程學感興趣，因為那就是我們的生產力，是我們的勞動力。”MoMath的執(zhí)行董事勞倫斯這樣說。
Every day the museum is filled with lots of excited schoolchildren and adults.
博物館每天都有很多激動的小學生和成年人。
"I learn a lot more than I am learning currently, but it's really just a lot of fun to see all the different things that look like just games when they're actually just math," said Sera.
“我學到的比我現在在學的要多很多，但是看到不同的數學問題像游戲一樣真的很有趣。”塞拉說。
"It probably makes mathematics seem less scary than a lot of people think it is," said Lew, Sera's grandfather.
“它可能會讓數學變得不再像人們想象中的那樣可怕。”塞拉的祖父盧說。
Question 20. What is the foundation of all knowledge according to scientists throughout history?
問題20 歷史上的科學家認為知識的基礎是什么？
Question 21. According to Albert, why does the teaching mathematics at elementary school in U.S. lack motivation and enthusiasm?
問題21 根據艾伯特，美國小學的數學教學為什么缺乏動力和熱情？
Question 22. What is the goal of the National Museum of Mathematics?
問題22 國家數學博物館的目的是什么？
