MATHEMATICS EDUCATION AND SUSTAINABILITY: INTERDISCIPLINARY PRACTICES IN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION

Abstract

This article presents the development and analysis of an activity linked to the project "Development of Didactic Materials for the Virtual Mathematics Laboratory of the Iguaçu University". The main objective was to integrate Mathematics and sustainability, exploring solid waste management and food production with the use of leachate as a natural fertilizer. The activity was structured in interdisciplinary tasks that included the collection and categorization of waste, elaboration of mathematical problems and cultivation of coriander using fertilizer produced. Applying concepts such as proportionality, percentage and statistics, the undergraduate student contextualized Mathematics in real practices, aligning herself with the theories of Critical Mathematics Education and Ethnomathematics. Results indicate that the approach promoted reflection on sustainability and consumption habits, highlighting the relevance of Mathematics as a tool for awareness and social transformation. Despite limitations related to the representativeness of the data and the long-term analysis, the project demonstrated strong pedagogical potential to engage students and teachers in contemporary environmental issues.