MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Labs Unleashed at Northern Michigan University is a young program, but it’s already giving students the chance to learn math skills in a more interesting way.
A variety of courses are offered from welding, to construction, to cosmetology, to hospitality. Also included is agriculture which is a field that may surprise some with how much math is involved. Right now, students are using math to grow catnip. “Calculate the area you’re growing in, calculate what you’re estimated plant size is going to be, because the goal is to get the best yield you can,” said Lehren Olk-Szost, assistant professor for the agriculture course. “It’s absolutely critical you have math skills to do that.”
These courses give a hands-on experience, making what can be a boring subject more interesting. “I hear a lot as a math teacher that students don’t like math,” said Chrissy Columb, director of Labs Unleashed. “We just want to show them how applicable to real life that math is.”
Students are able to take one course for one week before moving on to the next industry.
