As a former teacher of middle school math I suggest you talk with the math and art teachers. If this is a middle school then the integration of the subjects is done quite often and helps the students. For example: the design in Math and Art, the coloration in art, the description of the process or what it means to them is English/writing, and the history of quilt making is Social Studies.
For those students more advanced making an Escher style block would be fun. I have some great resources on that, but expect the teachers in the school have the same thing. If not, PM me.
For those not so advanced these teachers could also help in the design of simple blocks so the students understand the 1/4" seam allowances of each part of the block ... and the impact of color on the finished product.
ali