Math Ratio Challenge: Design a Country

Explore ratios creatively with this engaging design challenge! Students apply ratio concepts to map design, LEGO builds, and demographic planning.

This transdisciplinary mini bundle invites students to explore mathematical ratio concepts through real-world, creative simulations. Designed for upper primary learners (Year 5–6 / Grade 5), it blends math, geography, social studies, and design through inquiry-based learning.
Perfect for use within IB PYP units under transdisciplinary themes such as:

• How We Organize Ourselves (systems, planning, space use)
• Sharing the Planet (resources, demographics, sustainability)

Students will:

• Use ratios to design a fictional country map
• Build terrain using LEGO or graph paper
• Plan demographic distributions (urban vs rural, gender, age, etc.)
• Reflect on their design and apply creative thinking
• Use collaborative and hands-on approaches
  The resource includes:

1. 3-part activity flow with clear instructions
2. Multiple ratio-based scenarios (terrain + population)
3. Printable PDF
4. Built-in reflection questions

Perfect for math inquiry lessons, project-based learning, or enrichment activities. Supports skills in reasoning, proportional thinking, design, and critical analysis.