Traveling with mathematics: an educational experience in the world of transport and logistics

Abstract

The article describes a teaching experience carried out in a seventh grade class of lower secondary school in the Canton of Ticino, focusing on learning mathematics through realistic contexts related to the world of transport. The topic was chosen on the one hand to encourage students’ motivation to learn the subject, and on the other hand to enhance the teacher’s previous professional experience in the logistics sector, transforming it into an educational resource. The program includes ten activities ranging from travel planning to business logistics, promoting the practical application of mathematical concepts. The approach, consistent with the Piano di studio della scuola dell’obbligo ticinese (Dipartimento dell'educazione, della cultura e dello sport [DECS], 2022), encouraged the active involvement of students, improving their skills and perception of mathematics in terms of usefulness, meaning, and enjoyment.