Construction and the built environment
A collection of resources designed to provide ideas and inspiration for teaching mathematics in the context of construction and the built environment. These resources have been selected as relevant to post-16 vocational learners who are working towards re-sitting GCSE Mathematics. Sewage Tunnels is part of a suite of resources exploring the mathematics used in some of the unseen areas of construction. Activities provide a context for work on volume of three dimensional shapes, approximation, estimation and a consideration of the wider implications of construction. Driving building piles provides an example of how coordinates are used in construction and Floor loads is a good example of how formulae are used in the building industry.
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Sewage tunnels
This activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), challenges students to use their mathematical skills to calculate the critical dimensions of the tunnel that will be built. It could also be taught in design and technology or engineering, with the emphasis on how the development will affect the quality of life and how it could be realised.
The activity challenges students to move beyond an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach to sewage as they use and develop their mathematical process skills within the real-world contexts presented. This activity provides a context for work on volume a cylinder, volume of a cone, area of a circle and surface area of a cone.
This resource is supported by a full set of activities in the Shifting Sewage collection and by the video Shifting Sewage.
Analyse sewage tunnel design
This activity follows on from the How Much Waste? activity and provides an engaging task to continue the learning focusing on the link between sewage and the underground tunnel system. It encourages students to think about the role of engineers in providing us with healthy sanitation and waste-water disposal systems.
Learning outcomes include:
• To develop an insight into the representation of large volumes
• To determine and select variables, then apply mathematical formulae to solve real-life problems
This resource is supported by a full set of activities in the Shifting Sewage collection and by the video Shifting Sewage.
Keeping a House Warm
This resource looks at the maths behind keeping a house warm. Students are asked to calculate radiator sizes using area and formulas.
Driving Building Piles
This resource looks at positions of piles using coordinates. Students are asked to write the positions of piles for buildings and bridges. They are then asked to cost out installing these.
Floor Loads
This resource looks at some different formulas for weights on beams. Students are asked to use formulas to determine how thick beams need to be to support different weights. They are also asked to compare the cost of providing beams by different companies.
Construction and the Built Environment (Other sources of ideas)
A collection of resources which provide ideas and inspiration for teaching mathematics in the context of construction and the built environment. The resources included in this collection require some adaptation to make them appropriate for the particular audience.