Applying Math Skills to a Good Cause

Hawaii Technology Academy (HTA), the state’s largest public charter school, is partnering with the Hawaiian Humane Society to provide a better future for dogs in need of adoption. HTA Middle School students will be visiting the Hawaiian Humane Society to donate dog bandanas that they hand-sewed in math class. Jackie Vallejo-San Agustin, HTA Middle School Math teacher, incorporated this service learning trip into her math lesson on scaling figures.

HTA Middle School students looked at existing dog bandana sizes and found that most had a height-to-length ratio of 1:3. They also found out that dogs wearing bandanas were more likely to get adopted. Students then chose their own fabric and by using proportions, calculated how the dimensions of the bandana. They drew their bandanas to scale on paper, indicated the scale, and found the area to determine the minimum amount of fabric needed for their pattern. Lastly, they found out how much their final product deviated from their plan by calculating the percent change of the dimensions. After learning how to hand stitch, the students sewed some final touches on their dog bandanas, making them ready to be delivered to local animal shelters. What a way to review the concepts of proportions, scaling, percent of change, and area of figures!

“I believe in taking a hands-on approach to learning. The students really enjoyed this project because they were able to apply various different math concepts that they knew but also learn a new skill- sewing, “ says HTA teacher, Jackie Vallejo-San Agustin.
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Through this project, HTA students are truly applying the school’s core values of collaboration, critical thinking, communication, creativity, and character. “Making concepts relevant to the real-world and allowing the students to display creativity in their work are effective teaching strategies,” says Leigh Fitzgerald, HTA’s Executive Director. Fitzgerald continues, “I am always proud to see young people making a positive impact on their community as well.

Hawaii Technology Academy is a tuition-free public charter school, with students in grades K-12 across the state. HTA’s blended learning model empowers students to succeed through face-to-face instruction, virtual instruction, and independent learning. To learn more about the future of learning, please visit myhta.org.

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