Here's the **Grade 7 Mathematics Project** for Peace Mhuka at Ruvimbo Primary

School, following the exact structure of the previous Family Religion project but
adapted for math content:

### **Grade 7 School-Based Project (Year 2025)**

**Subject: Mathematics**

#### **Fig 3.0: Project Details**

- **Name of School**: Ruvimbo Primary School
- **Name of Pupil**: Peace Mhuka
- **Level**: Grade 7
- **Project Title**: "Solving Water Shortages: A Mathematical Approach to Rainwater
Harvesting"
- **Learning Area**: Mathematics
- **Syllabus Topic or Topics**: Measurements, Volume Calculations, Data
Representation
- **Project Objectives**:
- a) To calculate rainwater collection potential using school roof measurements
- b) To analyze water usage data to determine conservation needs
- c) To design a cost-effective rainwater harvesting model using mathematical
principles

---

### **Fig 3.1: Project Description**

#### **Stage 1: Problem Identification**

**i) Problem Identification**:

Our school faces frequent water shortages, disrupting sanitation and learning. By
applying mathematical measurements and calculations, we can:
- Determine how much rainwater our school roof could collect
- Calculate the storage tanks needed based on water usage data
- Propose an affordable solution using geometric and arithmetic skills

**ii) Statement of Intent**:

I will:
1. Measure the school roof dimensions to calculate catchment area
2. Research rainfall patterns in our area (mm/month)
3. Use volume formulas to determine water collection potential
4. Compare with current water usage statistics
5. Design a model rainwater harvesting system

**iii) Main Idea/Theme**:

*"Every Drop Counts: Using Math to Solve Water Scarcity"*

**iv) Design Specifications**:

- All calculations must use actual school measurements
- Solutions must be affordable (<ZWL 50,000 budget)
- Final model should include scaled drawings
- Must incorporate data representation (graphs/tables)

.### **Stage 2: Investigation of Related Ideas**

#### **i) Searching for Information on Existing Solutions**

To solve our water shortage problem mathematically, I will research:
- **Rainwater harvesting systems** at other Zimbabwean schools
- **Mathematical formulas** for calculating:
 ✓ Roof catchment area (Length × Width)
✓ Water collection volume (Area × Rainfall × Runoff coefficient)
- **Government data** on local rainfall patterns (mm/month)
- **Plumbing costs** for storage tanks and piping

**Research Methods**:
- Interview school maintenance staff about current water usage
- Contact EMA (Environmental Management Agency) for rainfall data
- Study similar projects at schools like Mufakose Primary

#### **ii) Collecting & Recording Data**

1. **Physical Measurements**:
- Used tape measures to record school roof dimensions
- Created scaled floor plans (1cm : 1m)

2. **Water Usage Data**:

- Collected 3 months of water bills
- Timed how long taps run daily

3. **Visual Documentation**:
- Photographed potential tank locations
- Sketched system designs
- Created rainfall data graphs

#### **iii) Analyzing Each Idea's Strengths & Weaknesses**

| **Solution Idea** | **Pros** | **Cons**

| **Math Required** |
|-------------------------|-----------------------------------|--------------------
---------------|-------------------|
| **Single Large Tank** | Lower cost per liter | Needs strong
foundation | Volume calculations |
| **Multiple Small Tanks**| Flexible placement | Higher piping costs
| Surface area ratios |
| **Underground Tank** | Saves space | Expensive
excavation | Cubic capacity |

**Key Findings**:
- Our 200m² roof can collect **1,000 liters per 10mm rain**
- Current usage: **3,500 liters/day**
- Best option: **Three 2,500L plastic tanks** (ZWL 45,000 total)

#### **iv) Data Representation Examples**

**Rainfall Collection Formula**:

```
Monthly collection (L) = Roof area (m²) × Rainfall (mm) × 0.8
Example: 200m² × 50mm × 0.8 = 8,000 liters
```

**Cost Analysis Table**:

| Tank Type | Capacity | Unit Cost | Qty Needed | Total Cost |
|-----------|----------|-----------|------------|------------|
| Plastic | 2,500L | ZWL 15,000| 3 | ZWL 45,000 |
| Metal | 5,000L | ZWL 40,000| 2 | ZWL 80,000 |

### **Stage 3: Generation of Ideas (With Mathematical Workings)**

#### **i) Calculating Rainwater Harvesting Potential**

**Given Data:**
- School roof area = **200m²** (measured)
- Average October rainfall in Harare = **35mm** (from EMA data)
- Runoff coefficient (for corrugated metal roofs) = **0.8**

**Calculation 1: Monthly Water Collection**

```
Collection (liters) = Roof area × Rainfall × Runoff coefficient
= 200m² × 35mm × 0.8
= 200 × 35 × 0.8
= 5,600 liters/month
```

**Calculation 2: Annual Potential (Nov-Apr rainy season)**

```
6 months × 5,600 liters = 33,600 liters/year
```

---

#### **ii) Comparing Tank Options**

**Option A: Three 2,500L Plastic Tanks**

- **Total Cost**: 3 × ZWL 15,000 = **ZWL 45,000**
- **Advantage**: Fits budget; modular installation

**Option B: One 10,000L Metal Tank**

- **Total Cost**: ZWL 70,000
- **Disadvantage**: Exceeds budget by ZWL 25,000

**Mathematical Decision Making:**

```
Cost per liter (Option A) = 45,000 ÷ 7,500L = ZWL 6/L
Cost per liter (Option B) = 70,000 ÷ 10,000L = ZWL 7/L
```
**Conclusion**: Option A is **14% cheaper** per liter stored.

---

#### **iii) Pipe System Calculations**

**Gutter Length Needed:**

- Roof perimeter = **60m** (measured)
- PVC gutter cost = **ZWL 500/m**
```
Total gutter cost = 60m × ZWL 500 = ZWL 30,000
```

**Water Pressure Test:**

If tank stand height = 3m:
```
Pressure (kPa) = Height × 9.81
= 3 × 9.81
= 29.43 kPa (adequate for taps)
```

---
#### **iv) Proposed Solution Specifications**

| **Component** | **Quantity** | **Calculations** | **Total Cost**

|
|--------------------|--------------|--------------------------------|-------------
---|
| Plastic tanks | 3 | 3 × ZWL 15,000 | ZWL 45,000
|
| PVC gutters | 60m | 60 × ZWL 500 | ZWL 30,000
|
| Pipe fittings | 10 joints | 10 × ZWL 1,200 | ZWL 12,000
|
| **TOTAL** | | | **ZWL
87,000** |

**Budget Adjustment Needed**: Original budget was ZWL 50,000. Will:

1. Phase installation (start with 2 tanks)
2. Seek donated materials from local businesses

---

#### **v) Visual Representation**

**Scaled Drawing (1:50):**

```
[School Roof]
│
▼
[Gutters] → [First Flush Diverter] → [Storage Tanks]
(Calculated to divert first 20L of rainwater)
```

**Rainfall Collection Graph:**

```
Y-axis: Liters collected (0-6,000)
X-axis: Months (Oct-Apr)
Bar chart showing 5,600L in Oct, 4,200L in Nov, etc.
```

### **Stage 4: Development of Ideas (Detailed Design & Prototyping)**

#### **i) Technical Drawings with Measurements**

**1. Roof Catchment System (Scale 1:100)**
```
[Front Elevation]
Roof Length: 200m² → Scaled to 20cm × 10cm drawing
Gutter Slope: 2° angle (Calculated: 3cm drop per 1m length)

[Side View]
Tank Platform Height: 3m → 3cm in drawing
Support Beams: 4 wooden posts (10cm×10cm each)
```

**2. Water Flow Calculations**

```
Max rainfall intensity: 50mm/hour
Drainage required: 200m² × 0.05m = 10m³/hour
Pipe size needed: 75mm diameter (from plumbing charts)
```

#### **ii) Bill of Materials (Revised)**

| **Item** | **Quantity** | **Unit Cost** | **Math Verification**

| **Total** |
|----------------------|--------------|---------------|----------------------------
--------|-----------|
| Plastic tank (2500L) | 2 | ZWL 15,000 | Phase 1 budget limit
| 30,000 |
| PVC gutters | 40m | 500/m | Prioritize main roof
sections | 20,000 |
| First flush diverter | 1 | 8,000 | 20L capacity = 0.5m pipe
(calculated) | 8,000 |
| **TOTAL** | | |
| **58,000**|

*Budget Note: ZWL 8,000 saved for contingency*

#### **iii) Prototype Construction**

**1. Scale Model (1:10)**
- Used cardboard and plastic bottles
- Tested water flow with 500ml = simulated 50mm rainfall

**2. Mathematical Verification:**

```
Actual collection: 420ml vs Predicted 450ml
Efficiency: 93.3% (acceptable variance)
```

---

### **Stage 5: Realization of Solution (Implementation)**

#### **i) Actual Installation Steps**

**Day 1: Tank Platform Construction**
- **Measurement Check:**
```
Post spacing = √(1.5m² + 1.5m²) = 2.12m diagonals
Used Pythagoras' theorem to verify
```

**Day 2: Gutter Installation**

- **Slope Calculation:**
```
Total drop = 40m length × tan(2°) = 1.4m
Marked guide lines every 5m with 17.5cm drop
```

**Day 3: Plumbing Connections**

- **Pipe Sizing Formula:**
```
Flow rate = π × r² × v
Where v = 0.8m/s (optimal)
→ Confirmed 75mm pipes sufficient
```

#### **ii) Performance Testing**

**Test 1: 10mm Simulated Rainfall**
```
Expected: 200m² × 0.01m × 0.8 = 1,600L
Actual collected: 1,520L (95% efficiency)
```

**Test 2: Water Usage Comparison**

```
Pre-project: 3,500L/day municipal water
Post-install: 1,200L/day (65% reduction)
```

#### **iii) Problems & Solutions**

| **Issue** | **Mathematical Solution** | **Result**

|
|------------------------|--------------------------------------------|------------
|
| Tank overflow | Added overflow pipe: Q = 1.38L/s (calculated) | No
flooding |
| Low pressure | Height increased to 3.5m → P=34.3kPa | Strong flow
|
| Gutter debris | Installed screens (5mm gaps - optimal size) | Clean flow
|

#### **iv) Final System Specifications**

```
- Total cost: ZWL 61,200 (2% over budget)
- Storage capacity: 5,000L (Phase 1)
- Water savings: 2,300L/day
- Payback period: 3.2 months (by school water bill savings)

### **Stage 6: Evaluation & Presentation**

**Project Title:** *"Mathematical Solution to Water Conservation at Ruvimbo Primary
School"*

---

#### **A) Comprehensive Evaluation**

**1. Quantitative Analysis**

| **Parameter** | **Target** | **Achieved** | **Variance** |
**Mathematical Proof** |
|--------------------------|------------|--------------|--------------|------------
------------|
| Water Collection Capacity | 5,600L/mo | 5,320L/mo | -5% | (5320-
5600)/5600×100 |
| Cost Efficiency | ZWL 50,000 | ZWL 61,200 | +22% | (61200-
50000)/50000×100|
| Daily Water Savings | 1,500L | 2,300L | +53% | (2300-
1500)/1500×100 |

**2. Mathematical Validation**

```python
# Rainwater Collection Formula Verification
roof_area = 200 # m²
rainfall = 35 # mm
efficiency = 0.8
calculated = roof_area * rainfall * efficiency # 5,600L
actual = 5320 # L
error = ((calculated - actual)/calculated)*100 # 5% error
```

**3. SWOT Analysis**

| **Strengths** | **Weaknesses** |
|----------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| ✔ 93% system efficiency | ✖ Limited initial storage capacity|
| ✔ Used local affordable materials | ✖ No overflow protection initially|

| **Opportunities** | **Threats** |
|----------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| ✓ Expand to school garden irrigation | ✓ Vandalism risks |
| ✓ Teach maintenance math to juniors | ✓ Pipe corrosion over time |

---

#### **B) Presentation Materials**

**1. Physical Display Components**

- **Working Model** (1:10 scale) with:
✓ Annotated measurement tags
✓ Interactive water pump demo
- **Data Visualization Boards**:
✓ Column graph: Monthly water savings
✓ Pie chart: Cost distribution

**2. Digital Tools**

- **Rainwater Calculator App** (Prototype):
```javascript
function calculateWater() {
let area = document.getElementById('roofArea').value;
let rainfall = document.getElementById('rainfall').value;
alert(`Potential collection: ${area*rainfall*0.8} liters`);
}
```
- **QR Codes** linking to:
✓ Project tutorial videos
✓ Live water level dashboard

**3. Documentation Portfolio**

- **Engineering Notebook** containing:
✓ Daily measurement logs
✓ Formula derivations
✓ Budget revisions

---

#### **C) Presentation Program Flow**

**Time** | **Activity** | **Key Math Demonstrated**

---------|--------------|--------------------------
09:00-09:05 | Introduction | Project objectives
09:05-09:15 | Live Demo | Volume calculations in action
09:15-09:25 | Math Workshop | Students solve water word problems
09:25-09:30 | Q&A | Real-world application discussion

**Workshop Problem Example:**

*"If our 200m² roof collects 5,320L in October, how much could be collected from
the 300m² admin building?"*
`Solution: 300/200 × 5320 = 7,980L`

---

#### **D) Stakeholder Feedback**

**1. School Administration**

*"The project reduced our water bills by 62% while teaching practical math
applications."*

**2. Mathematics Teacher**

*"Excellent demonstration of surface area, volume, and percentages in context."*

**3. Student Participants**

*"We now check tank levels daily using the dipstick calibration chart we created!"*

---

#### **E) Sustainability Plan**

**1. Maintenance Protocol**

- Weekly:
✓ Measure water pH (integration with science)
✓ Check pipe flow rates
- Monthly:
✓ Recalculate collection efficiency
✓ Update savings projections

**2. Expansion Proposal**

- Phase 2:
✓ Add 3 more tanks (ZWL 45,000)
✓ Install digital flow meters

**3. Educational Legacy**

- Added to Grade 7 math curriculum as case study
- Annual "Water Math Challenge" competition