Modelling School Zone Border as Rich Modelling Problem for Secondary School Students

Abstract

This article explores the potential of using the school zoning problem in Indonesia as a vehicle for teaching mathematical modeling to secondary school students. This problem is highly suitable for students as a modeling challenge because it is (i) contextual, (ii) rich, (iii) challenging, and (iv) within students' Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). School zoning involves a concept called Voronoi, essentially a partitioning problem. For simpler or special-case problems, these partitions can be created using concepts already taught in secondary schools, such as perpendicular bisectors and radical axes. However, for more complex problems with multiple sites, an algorithm is required, which involves advanced mathematical concepts beyond the typical secondary curriculum. Yet, with the rise of visual programming languages like Scratch, Snap!, StarLogo, and TurboWarp, it becomes possible to tackle these partitioning challenges using coding and only basic mathematical principles. This approach not only enhances students' understanding of foundational mathematical concepts but also fosters the integration of computational thinking and coding within mathematics. In summary, the school zoning problem serves as an ideal topic for mathematical modeling for secondary school students, promoting the integration of mathematical concepts, computational thinking, and coding skills.