Back in 2010, an enormous sinkhole appeared in the middle of a Guatemalan neighborhood and swallowed a three-story building above it. Robert Kaplinsky developed an interesting activity to explore the real-world mathematics of the situation. The web link above will take you to his blog where he has shared all the materials needed.

First there is a series of photographs of the hole to show students. As they look at the photos give them some time to write what they notice and what they wonder. You can also show the following video for another perspective:

Have students share their noticings and wonderings, first in pairs and then in a whole class discussion, writing down the things they are wondering on the board. Then introduce the  challenge, which is  to figure out how much material they will need to fill in the sinkhole.

Have students record a guess that they know is too high,one they know is too low and a Goldilocks guess that is their best guess. Have them share with a partner. Ask students about their Goldilocks guesses, trying to get the high and the low for the class.

Then ask students what information they need to figure it out.

Kaplinsky shares several sources (National Geographic, Time, CNN, and Slate) with the varying accounts of the dimensions of the sinkhole. It is interesting to have students reflect on which estimates seem the most reasonable. Then students can proceed with their calculations with some agreed upon measurements.

Kaplinsky also shares some student work and a handout you might recreate for students to record their work.