Math City: Scaling Sustainable Dreams!

8th Grade

Project
1 week

Math City: Scaling Sustainable Dreams!

Jesus Romero-Nuno

Purpose

Students will engage in a hands-on project to design a small-scale model of a sustainable city, applying their understanding of proportional and linear relationships. This project aims to deepen students' comprehension of mathematical concepts through real-world application, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By researching existing sustainable city models and incorporating these elements into their designs, students will explore the intersection of mathematics, sustainability, and urban planning.

Learning goals

Students will deepen their understanding of proportional and linear relationships by applying these concepts to design a small-scale model of a sustainable city. They will learn to analyze real-world data and identify key elements of sustainability that can be adapted using mathematical principles. Through collaborative design and reflection, students will enhance their problem-solving skills and ability to communicate mathematical reasoning effectively.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.EE.B.5: Graph proportional relationships, interpreting the unit rate as the slope of the graph. Compare two different proportional relationships represented in different ways.
Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.EE.B.6: Use similar triangles to explain why the slope m is the same between any two distinct points on a non-vertical line in the coordinate plane; derive the equation y = mx for a line through the origin and the equation y = mx + b for a line intercepting the vertical axis at b.

Products

Students will create a small-scale model of a sustainable city, incorporating proportional and linear relationships in their design. Throughout the project, they will produce digital portfolios that include sketches, calculations, and reflections on their design process. The final product will be presented in a gallery walk, where students will showcase their models and engage in discussions about their application of mathematical concepts.

Launch

Begin with a virtual tour of a renowned sustainable city, such as Copenhagen or Singapore, highlighting its innovative features. Follow this with a brainstorming session where students identify and discuss the proportional and linear relationships they observe in the city's design. This will spark curiosity and set the stage for students to apply similar concepts in creating their own small-scale sustainable city models.

Exhibition

At the conclusion of the project, students will host a gallery walk to showcase their small-scale sustainable city models. Each student will present their model, highlighting how they applied proportional and linear relationships in their design. Peers and guests will be invited to provide constructive feedback and engage in discussions about the practical applications of math in sustainability. This exhibition will serve as a platform for students to articulate their learning and reflect on their creative processes.

Week 1	Day 1
Activities	Virtual Tour Launch - Begin with a virtual tour of a renowned sustainable city, such as Copenhagen or Singapore, highlighting its innovative features and sparking curiosity. (20) Brainstorming Session - Engage students in a brainstorming session to identify and discuss the proportional and linear relationships observed in the city's design. (15) Introduction to Project - Explain the project objectives and essential question, focusing on using proportional and linear relationships to design a small-scale sustainable city model. (15) Research Assignment - Assign students to research existing sustainable city models, noting key elements that can be scaled and adapted using mathematical concepts. (10)
Deliverables	1. Digital portfolio documenting research findings, design sketches, calculations, and reflections 2. Completed small-scale model of a sustainable city
Preparation	1. Arrange access to a virtual tour of a sustainable city 2. Prepare research materials and resources on sustainable city models 3. Gather materials for model construction (e.g., cardboard, paper, recycled items) 4. Set up space for students to work on their models and display them for the gallery walk