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← Lower Secondary · Ages 11–13

Cross-curricular Lesson

Mission South America

Maths as the tool for a geographical decision

An international commission is looking for a site for a research centre that will monitor environmental change in South America. Teams compare three candidates – Manaus in the Amazon, Lima on the Pacific coast and Buenos Aires in the Río de la Plata Basin – and defend their decision with numbers and geography. There is no “right” city decided in advance.

  • Ages 11–13
  • Maths + Geography
  • 40 min or 2 × 40 min
  • Teams of 3–4
Start the interactive lesson Teacher guidance

Runs in the browser. No account required.

Cross-curricular Lesson Ages 11–13

Maths • Geography • Data

  • Climate graphs
  • Density
  • Weighted model

Three modes, one mission

Choose a single 40-minute lesson or run the full mission over two periods. Each lesson works on its own.

  1. Climate and Water – 40 min

    Each team analyses the climate graph of one station in depth, then the platform shows a comparison dashboard for all three. The lesson ends with the choice of a temporary field base.

  2. People, Access and Decision – 40 min

    A logistics diagram with a linear scale, population and density, a weighted model with adjustable weights – and a final recommendation for a permanent international centre.

  3. Full Mission – 2 × 40 min

    The results of the first lesson are carried into the second for a deeper final defence that brings together climate, water, access and population.

Maths and skills

Maths covered

  • Scale and route distances on a diagram
  • Temperature range and percentages
  • Adding and comparing data from climate and river regime graphs
  • Population density and “how many times” comparisons
  • Percentage increase and a weighted model with weights

Geography and reasoning

  • Linking climate, rivers and natural risks
  • Telling a numerical result apart from its interpretation
  • Making and defending a decision based on several criteria
  • Working together in teams

Teacher guidance

Short practical guidance is also available in the lesson, under the For teachers button.

What you need

  • One device per team of 3–4 students
  • No printed materials
  • 40 minutes for one lesson, or two periods for the full mission

Running the lesson

  • Numerical answers are checked automatically, with a hint after a mistake.
  • Written arguments and the final choice of city are not marked automatically.
  • Optional “If time allows” tasks and extensions help you adapt the pace.
  • Progress is saved automatically on the device.

Ready for the mission?

Open the interactive lesson on your students' devices.

Start the interactive lesson