Garden Beds and Wildlife Sanctuaries: Mathematical Modelling in the Primary Classroom

Recorded 10 November 2025

Presenter: Toni Falusi and Dr John West

How can we help students see the purpose of mathematics through meaningful, real-world investigations?

Join us to explore mathematical modelling in action through two rich contexts — What do we need to build a garden bed? (Years 3–4) and Design a wildlife sanctuary (Years 5–6)

Participants will see how measurement, area, capacity, and scale can be developed through authentic sustainability-focused investigations.

Together, we’ll unpack how students move through the mathematical modelling process of understanding the problem, identifying the maths, collecting and representing data, testing assumptions, and communicating their findings.

Discover practical strategies for making mathematical thinking visible, helping students understand how maths shapes the spaces we live in.