Recycling Proposal

Your city wishes to develop an effective recycling program similar to the one we have here in Seattle, and would like you to prepare a proposal for getting it done.

Subject: Mathematics; Problem Solving
Topics:
- Measurement
- Geometry
- Fractions, Decimals, Percents, Ratios
- Statistics
- Solve Multi-Step Problems
Grades: 6 - 9
Knowledge and Skills:
- Can solve complex, multi-step problems
- Can determine when not enough information is given and, if appropriate, gather the additional needed data
- Can estimate the linear dimensions of an object with reasonable accuracy
- Can compute the volume of a rectangular prism
- Can compute the volume of a cylinder
- Can perform binary operations with decimal numbers
- Can plan and execute a survey with responses to a set of questions from a set of individuals, and summarize the results using appropriate statistical measures and graphical representations

Download Activity: Recycling Proposal (PDF)

Hands-On Math Movie:

RecyclingRecycling

Each person generates about 25 pounds of garbage a week. That might not seem like much, but multiplied by the U.S. population, that's nearly two hundred million tons of residential garbage generated every single year. Fortunately, up to 80% of that can actually be recycled. Go behind the scenes with a Strategic Planner for the City of Seattle to see how they're tackling the problem.
Running time 3:24 minutes.

Watch the Movie