The Australian National University astronomer, who won the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics, will speak at a national forum to address Australia's maths crisis starting today in Canberra.

The forum has attracted international experts on education policy and comes ahead of Chief Scientist Ian Chubb presenting his blueprint for maths and science education reform next month to government.

Professor Schmidt said it was dangerous for Australia to undervalue maths as it provided ''the foundation for most skilled professions, whether you are a builder, an astronomer or an economist.''

Sound maths knowledge was also required for every day skills such as ''balancing your cheque book or interpreting facts and figures in the media''... Read the full article