- Download the Data: Go to the
Project Data section of this web
site and download the final "Verified" data. You can select to
download the data (recommended) in a Microsoft Excel or ClarisWorks
spreadsheet file for the PC or Mac or you can alternatively view
it as a web page. The final "verified" data has been checked and
verified by the project leader to ensure that you will not be
misled by any unreasonable, unverified, or incorrect information
when analyzing the data.
It is recommended that you use the ''verified" data for your
analysis. This data has been checked and verified by the
project leader. Using this data will ensure that when students
analyze the data they will not be mislead by any unreasonable,
unverified, or incorrect data. However, comparing the
"unverified" database to the "verified" database might be a
good exercise for advanced students. They could determine if
all the "unverified" data makes sense. Scientists NEVER throw
out data without looking into why there might be strange
results and this might be a good lesson for your students. You
are welcome to use the project Discussion Area to question
other students about their results and to provide
recommendations to the project leader about what to do with
"questionable" data.
- Plot the Data: Graphing allows scientists to see relationships
between numbers. Make two (2) graphs using the results from all
of the participating schools to see how proximity to the equator
(latitude) affects average daily temperature and minutes of sunlight
per day. The graphs that students should make are:
- Daylight vs. Latitude
y axis - Daylight (average minutes of sunlight)
x axis - Latitude
- Temperature vs. Latitude
y axis - Temperature (average temperature
in °C)
x axis - Latitude
Need Help?
Take a look at these Sample Graphs
-
Sample Daylight vs. Latitude Graph
-
Sample Temperature vs. Latitude Graph
- Analyze the Data
Draw a "line of best fit" or "trend line" through the data
in each of the two (2) graphs. In some spreadsheet programs, this
can be done automatically. But sometimes it needs to be done by
hand. You should not "connect the dots" but, rather, draw a line
which represents the trend in the data. Roughly half of the data
points should be above the line and half below it.
If many of the data points lie on or close to the line of best
fit, you can rest assured that there's a good strong relationship
between the two variables. In other words, if the line of best
fit accurately represents the trend in data, then there is
probably a strong correlation between the two variables. If the
data is scattered and it is difficult to draw a line of best fit
or the data doesn't appear to lie on or near the line of best
fit, then there probably is no correlation between the two
variables you have graphed.
- Draw your Conclusion
Based on your graphs and analysis, figure out if there is
any relationship between:
- Daylight (average minutes of sunlight) and Latitude
- Temperature (average temperature in °C) and Latitude
Do the experimental results support your hypothesis? Why or
why not? Share your class results by writing a short Final Report
(Next Lesson) and posting it in the Discussion Area
|
Printable Student Worksheet