Whatever you teach, whatever you study, math drives critical thinking as never before. We will screen this 90 minute film, and then spend some time unpacking what it might mean for us as teachers and learners.

In the 21st century, fueled by technology, data and algorithms, math determines who has the power to shape our world.

COUNT≠D OUT—a documentary released last April—investigates the biggest crises of our time through an unexpected lens: math. In our current information economy, math is everywhere. The people we date, the news we see, the influence of our votes, the candidates who win elections, the education we have access to, the jobs we get—all of it is underwritten by an invisible layer of math that few of us understand, or even notice.

But whether we know it or not, our numeric literacy—whether we can speak the language of math—is a critical determinant of social and economic power. Through a mosaic of personal stories, expert interviews and scenes of math transformation in action, COUNT≠D OUT shows what’s at risk if we keep the status quo. 

After the film, Dr. Miller will facilitate a discussion through which we can make mathematics more visible in our lives and work.

From Dr. Miller: “Mathematics is used to oppress.” This is how I start my mathematics classes each semester. Consider this example: If we were to look at a map of rent-to-own stores in the Cedar Valley, we would find them only in less affluent parts of Waterloo, and not at all in Cedar Falls. These companies bank on their customers not doing the math in the contracts. By doing the math, we see that buying a television on a rent-to-own contract usually results in paying two to three times what it would have cost elsewhere. 

The invisibility of mathematics is problematic in our lives, which is why Counted Out is important for everyone. Stepping back to see how math is used, for good or greed, in our lives will help us become better decision makers: consumers and voters, teachers and students! Seeing math can empower us to be more productive citizens in the 21st century.