Building Math

Building Math is a innovative modular curriculum developed by the Museum of Science, Boston
and Tufts University for grades 6‐8 mathematics studies that integrates math concepts, algebraic
reasoning and engineering through an engineering design challenge in a realistic story context.
Teacher Guides will be given out to all participants

● Stranded

Math Topics : Numbers and Operations , Measurement, Algebra, Geometry, Data Analysis,
Problem Solving , Communication
NJCCC Math Standards : 4.1AB, 4.2ADE, 4.3AC, 4.4A, 4.5ABC

Participants will take a journey of a lifetime battling to survive on a deserted island after a plane
crash. This workshop will cover three design challenges:

• A Storm is Approaching: Design a shelter to protect you and your team from a storm.
• We Need Water: Design a water collector with enough capacity for you and your team.
• Balancing Act: Designing a loading plan that can keep people and objects balancing in a canoe.

● Everest

Math Topics : Numbers and Operations , Measurement, Algebra, Data Analysis, Connections,
Communication
NJCCC Math Standards : 4.1AB, 4.2DE, 4.3BC, 4.4A, 4.5CDEF

Participants will join a project adventure team on the trek of a lifetime, battling extreme climate
conditions, as they journey to the top of the world. This workshop will cover three design

challenges:

• Gearing Up: Design a coat to protect your team from Everest’s year‐round harsh, frigid
weather conditions.
• Crevasse Crisis: Design a light‐weight bridge to safely cross a dangerous ice crevasse.
• Sliding Down: Design an emergency zip‐ line transportation system to safely and quickly
bring your sick teammates down the mountain.

● Jungle

Math Topics : Numbers and Operations , Measurement, Geometry, Algebra, Probability, Data
Analysis, Connections, Communication
NJCCC Math Standards : 4.1AB, 4.2ADE, 4.3ABC, 4.4AB, 4.5BCE

Participants will join a community service team on a mission to the Amazon Rainforest to
investigate, and hopefully solve , the problems of the indigenous people group known as the
Yanomami. This workshop will cover three design challenges:

• Malaria Meltdown: Design a medicine carrier that can safely transport malaria medicine
while keep it cool in a tropical climate.
• Mercury Rising: Design a water filter system to remove mercury from a river.
• Outbreak: Design a virus intervention plan to contain the spread of the flu.