Comparing Travel Emissions: Math Lesson

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Grades 6-8�≅85 minutes�Teacher Slideshow

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Primary Standards

Supporting Standards

Common Core Math Standards (CCSS.MATH)

• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.NS.B.2 Fluently divide multi-digit numbers using the standard algorithm.�
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.NS.B.3 Fluently add, subtract, multiply, and divide multi-digit decimals using the standard algorithm for each operation.�
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.NS.A.1 Apply and extend previous understandings of addition and subtraction to add and subtract rational numbers; represent addition and subtraction on a horizontal or vertical number line diagram.�
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.NS.A.2 Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division and of fractions to multiply and divide rational numbers.

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Common Core Math Standards (CCSS.MATH)

• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.NS.A.3 Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving the four operations with rational numbers.�
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.EE.B.3 Solve multi-step real-life and mathematical problems posed with positive and negative rational numbers in any form (whole numbers, fractions, and decimals), using tools strategically. Apply properties of operations to calculate with numbers in any form; convert between forms as appropriate; and assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies. For example: If a woman making $25 an hour gets a 10% raise, she will make an additional 1/10 of her salary an hour, or $2.50, for a new salary of $27.50. If you want to place a towel bar 9 3/4 inches long in the center of a door that is 27 1/2 inches wide, you will need to place the bar about 9 inches from each edge; this estimate can be used as a check on the exact computation.

Essential Questions

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How can our society transform our transportation system away from fossil fuels?

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How do we incentivize people to travel a certain way?

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Learning Outcomes

I can

analyze emissions from the transportation sector.

I can

calculate the cost, time, and emissions for different travel options.

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I can

discuss different ways to decarbonize the transportation system.

Inquire

Inspire

Investigate

Inquire

≅ 10 minutes

Inquire

What’s the Big Deal?

Your Task:�In your groups, explore the links below to understand sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and the role transportation plays in greenhouse gas emissions. �

Links

Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (EPA)

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Transportation Sector Emissions (EPA)

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Investigate

≅ 60 minutes

Investigate

Your Task:

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After your group has been assigned a specific route, fill in the table on your student slideshow.

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Your goal is to compare different methods of transportation and the difference in their impacts in various measures.

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Use the resources provided to help with your research.

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Comparing Transportation

Something to Consider:

It takes energy to move our bodies throughout our beautiful Earth. Most importantly, many of our transportation methods still rely on fossil fuels. And we must stop burning fossil fuels immediately in order to begin healing our planet.

Investigate

1. New York City to Washington DC�
2. New York City to Pittsburgh, PA�
3. New York City to Erie, PA�
4. New York City to Rochester, NY�
5. New York City to Burlington, VT�
6. New York City to Boston, MA

Investigate

Walk, Bike, Drive

• Google Maps

Buses

• Busbud
• Megabus
• Greyhound
• Flixbus
• Peter Pan

Train

• Amtrak

Fly

• Google Flights
• Expedia
• Skyscanner
• Air Miles Calculator

Source: Being the Change by Peter Kalmus

Resources

Inspire

≅ 15 minutes

Inspire

Discussion

• Was any of the math particularly easy or particularly difficult? Why or why not?�
• Did any of your findings surprise you?�
• Do you have any recommendations for how our society can transform our transportation system away from fossil fuels?�
• Do you think people travel in certain ways because of how it’s viewed by society? Do you think people would make different choices if more or less people traveled in a certain way?

Inspire

Extension Questions

• How many kg CO₂e would be emitted per person if there were 4 people in the Ford F-150 instead of 1 person?

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• How many fewer kg CO₂e would be emitted if 1 person drove a Honda Accord (33 mpg) instead of a Ford F-150 (20 mpg)?

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• How many more times polluting is flying compared to riding the train?
• Example Answer: “Flying from New York City to Boston is x times more polluting than riding the train.”

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• How many more times polluting is flying first-class compared to taking the bus?
• Example Answer: “Flying first-class from New York City to Burlington, VT is x times more polluting than taking the bus.”

Inspire

Glossary

CO₂e (n) carbon dioxide-equivalents; the standard metric used to quantify GHG emissions�This is the metric adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); is used in official GHG reporting and target-setting by countries and institutions; and is the most widely adopted metric used within the scientific literature. Carbon dioxide-equivalents try to sum all of the warming impacts of the different greenhouse gases together in order to give a single measure of total greenhouse gas emissions. (Our World in Data)

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Emissions (n) [usually plural] an amount of a substance that is produced and sent out into the air that is harmful to the environment, especially carbon dioxide

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Kilogram (n) a unit of mass equal to 1,000 grams; one kilogram is approximately equal to 2.2 pounds

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MPG (n) abbreviation for miles per gallon; the number of miles a vehicle travels using one gallon of fuel

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