A Cross-Curricular Idea

Based on the BC Curriculum, much of Mathematics 8 is spent learning about topics such as volume and surface area, central tendencies, averages and discrete linear relations.

With this in mind, Morven science teacher and Sustainability Leader Katie Field approached Gr. 8 math teachers with an idea. What if they could create a cross-curricular project for Gr. 8 math students that investigated a sustainability topic for Earth Week?

“We wanted to do something different than our usual in-class assignments. Specifically, we wanted it to relate to sustainability,” said Gr. 8 math teacher Naoise Gallagher. “Students were given the autonomy to select their group and the specific topic of investigation about the Senior School’s water usage.”

Gathering the Data

Throughout the two-week project that ran alongside their regular classes, students enthusiastically gathered data that measured water consumption related to hand-washing, water fountain usage and how many cups of coffee were consumed by teachers.

One group of students calculated the amount of water used by toilets each day by spending their lunch breaks in the bathroom, logging flushes. Throughout the project, teachers provided support through discussion and guidance.

Applying Math Skills

Once the data was collected, students summarized their findings using curricular content, such as “means” when calculating the volume of water fountains or how much coffee was in each canteen.

“I liked getting involved in data collecting and applying math in real-world situations. I learned how to estimate instead of calculating everything to make things more efficient.”

- Cindy, Gr. 8

Sharing Their Findings

There was a particular air of excitement when students learned that the top 12 presentations would be presented in student-led advisory to their peers, tied in with Earth Week activities.

“It was incredibly rewarding for students to share their work in advisories,” said Naoise. “We worked with the sustainability council so senior students could introduce the presentations. It truly felt like a celebration of their learning.”

“It was very interesting to research the amount of water that our School uses and how we can move forward in a statistical way to improve water conservation and sustainability at Collingwood.”

- Daniel, Gr. 8