"Finding Solutions To Cancer as We Find Solutions in Math!"

This was the motto of 204 East Lyme Middle School students as they embarked on a three hour walk-a-thon in support of the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation. Students started an interdisciplinary community service project in September of 2007, where students were solving investigative problems in school as they helped others solve a real-world problem known as breast cancer.

The walk-a-thon project started as a math-driven project which quickly evolved into an inter-disciplinary unit with ties to almost all subject areas. In math, students mastered writing and analyzing linear equations as they gathered both donations (a set amount no matter how far they walked) and pledges (amount increases based upon the number of miles walked) for the walk-a-thon. Students were able to graph equations, which helped them to analyze how data would change as they walked more miles, students then made connections to other real-world applications using the knowledge they had gained.

In other classroom settings, students had the opportunity to:

• perform various science related investigations related to nutrition and hydration;
• discuss key individuals in history who made a difference including Margaret Meade, the Roosevelts and Kennedys;
• explore the value of exercising, stretching and walking rates:
• investigate during language arts and through non-fiction reading how proper shoes protect our feet;
• write thank you notes to volunteers who assisted the project; and
• write reflections that focused on both their mathematical learning and feelings about giving back to the community

How Can Your School Get Involved?

If you would like additional information or would like to arrange for a meeting with our middle school walk-a-thon coordinator, Jay Gionet, simply send an e-mail to jay.gionet@eastlymeschools.org. Arrangements can be made to provide a presentation to your faculty, PTA, administration or interested parent groups.