Lotspeich’s Project Math
June 2, 2025
In mid-May, a bustling plant marketplace was nestled between the track and Lotspeich. First graders ran registers, helped customers (friends, families, and teachers) decide on the perfect plant, answered questions, and managed the raffle and craft station.
The first grade plant sale is one Project Math’s annual end of the year events. In the weeks prior to the plant sale, first graders learned how to grow the plants they’d eventually sell, practiced math they’d use at the register and customer service skills.
Jacquie Berting is Lotspeich’s Project Math teacher who carefully and creatively plans lessons to help students learn engineering basics, business acumen, collaboration skills, design, and more.
“The students do an incredible job of working together and coming up with solutions whenever they hit a block,” Berting said. “They view one another as resources and teammates with this type of project. It’s incredible to see them grow as learners and as leaders when they discover a part of the unit that really resonates with them.”
Another end of the year Project Math event is the second grade Arcade Day. Students analyze the functions of arcade games, which ones people gravitate towards, and which ones they prefer. After reviewing their findings, students work in groups to create their very own game.
From designing to constructing to testing, students work hard at every step of the process to make an excellent Arcade game.
During Arcade Day, every grade level at Lotspeich is invited to the “arcade” throughout the day and are given a set number of tokens to spend on the games. This year, some of the games included whack-a-mole, putt putt, skeeball, to name a few.
After the event, Berting guides students through examining how each grade spent their tokens, and if they would do anything differently.
Both events are largely run by the students, with Berting ready to provide assistance if necessary. However, more often than not, the students’ strong independent and collaborative skills enable them to handle almost any situation that might pop up. The weeks of preparation equips students with confidence and allows them to take ownership of their work.
The end of the year Project Math put a period on a year full of learning and skills that students develop at Lotspeich.
