Real problems
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“Maria is 15 years old. She spends 2 hours changing 10 diapers a day. And she uses 30 bottles a week. How many diapers and how many bottles will she use throughout the month?” This unusual math problem is part of a campaign by the NGO Save The Children Peru in partnership with McCann Lima to address the issue of teenage pregnancy. In the country, 15 out of every 100 teenagers under 16 are mothers, according to UNICEF data.
Still a taboo subject in Peruvian schools, sex education was incorporated into the classroom through mathematics, thus reducing misinformation surrounding the topic. As a result, objects mentioned in math problems, such as fruits and balls, were replaced with elements associated with pregnancy, for example, diapers and bibs.
Entitled "Real Problems," the campaign consists of a digital platform ( www.problemasreales.com ) and printed kits with suggested exercises. It has been so well received by teachers, students, and parents that the Peruvian Ministry of Education is considering including it in the basic school curriculum.
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