Sustainability through Math: Exploring the Ecological Footprint

Posted by on April 04, 2011

Creative Change Educational Solutions is pleased to announce “Sustainability through Math: Exploring the Ecological Footprint,” a new unit for grades 6-8.

This unit engages middle school students in inquiry and action related to mathematics and the Ecological Footprint, and provides lessons for up to 4 weeks of interdisciplinary instruction.  Math lessons are aligned to the Common Core standards.

In the first stage of the unit, learners explore fundamental questions about well-being, community interdependence, and their connections to the larger world. In the second stage, students build an interdisciplinary knowledge base about human-environmental interactions and factors affecting their footprint. Students apply this background to algebraic concepts through lessons such as these:

·       Evaluating Slope and Y-Intercept: Through algebraic methods and mathematical examples, learners explore concepts related to slope, y-intercept, linear equations, and functions.

·       Sustainability vs. Overshoot: Regeneration of Renewable Resources (Algebra Version): A simple simulation demonstrates overshoot and regeneration of renewable resources.  Students then graph and interpret the data through an algebraic lens while exploring concepts such as: slope, y-intercept, and equations of lines.

In the last stages, students explore decision-making strategies and action projects focused on increasing individual and community well-being while advancing sustainability.

The unit is the latest addition to Creative Change’s Curriculum and Resource Center (CRC), an on-line library of multimedia courses, units, lessons, and instructional design tools.

Members of the CRC community can log-in now to access this unit.  Not yet a member (or membership expired)?  Contact us, or learn more about the CRC and download samples here: http://www.creativechange.net/crc