In contemporary society, people are more and more concerned about environmental protection and the ideas of green travel and healthy living are greatly advocated. In order to let the seventh graders understand the concept of green life, G7 math group teachers designed a unique mathematical project topic -- "Modeling with Inequalities: Carbon Footprint".

This topic focused on integrating mathematical knowledge with daily life and was based on the theme of "saving and reducing daily carbon footprint". The questions in this project ranged from easy to difficult. This project aimed to make students understand the impact of carbon emissions on the environment by solving problems in a progressive manner. Additionally, the project also introduced the carbon footprint of food, which people tend to ignore in daily life. The students learned that the production and transportation of food can also produce much carbon emissions from the project.

In addition to using the mathematical knowledge and algebraic calculations learned in class to calculate different categories of carbon emissions, the project was also designed to allow students to record their daily carbon footprint. By filling out the well-designed carbon footprint form, students not only practiced their data selection and analysis skills but also learned how carbon emissions are involved in a person’s daily life.

At the end of the project, students actively reflected on the series of activities and insights by creating a poster and video to appeal to others to reduce their carbon footprint and protect the environment.

The “Carbon Footprint” math project not only encourage students to investigate the application of mathematical knowledge in their daily life but also gave them a more intuitive and profound understanding of environmental protection, thus inspiring them to be more active in trying to live a more environmentally friendly life.

(Written by: Xu Wei    Pictures by G7 Mathematics Teachers   Edited by Serene Yang, Niall Keenan)