#131 Real-World Math Projects Your Students Will Actually Care About

Modern Math Teacher- Teaching Strategies for High School and Middle School Math Teachers

Not all real-world math is created equal.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what makes a math project actually relevant to your students—and how to make math feel meaningful without needing a full curriculum rewrite.

You’ll learn what students really care about, how to design your first spark of engagement, and how to use AI tools to help personalize your next project in seconds.

✅ In this episode:

• Why some real-world math projects fall flat
• What makes students buy into a math task (hint: it’s not just budgeting!)
• Examples of topics and formats students actually care about
• How to start small and build a real-world spark
• How AI can support you in designing faster and smarter
• A free tool to help you plan your first (or next!) student-centered project
  
  

🔗 Resources & Links:
📘 Grab the Gold Standard Project Planner to map out your next student-centered project with confidence
→ http://moorethanjustx.com/projectplanner

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: https://pod.link/1692336821
📢 Join our free teacher community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Relevance = personal, practical, or conceptual meaning for students
• You don’t need a full PBL unit to start—you need one intentional spark
• Projects land better when they connect to what students are already thinking and talking about
• AI can save you time brainstorming topics, building tasks, and personalizing for your class

Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

• Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
• Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.

Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!
*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!