Plot! Analyze! and Draw your Conclusions!

Overview
Students will graph, analyze, and look for trends using the final "Verified Data" reported from all the participating schools.

Objectives
Students will:

Access, download, and work with raw data from the Internet. Organize data and identify patterns and trends by developing and using tables, graphs, and "lines of best fit". Use mathematical analysis and scientific inquiry to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions. Will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of mathematics, science, and technology to address real-life problems.

Time
One 45 minute class period.

Materials

Computers with Internet access Notebooks and Pencils Final "Verified" Data reported from all the participating schools (available from the Project Data section). NOTE: available immediately after the week of Dates to be Determined. Graph paper or Spreadsheet Program (i.e. Excel) Printable Student Worksheet (Optional)

Teacher Preparation

All students should analyze and graph the data individually or in small groups. However, when it comes time to submit the Final Report, please limit ONE per class. Limited computer access? Please consult the... Implementation Strategies Background Information Graphing Tips Conversion Calculator

Assessment Suggestions
Students can be assessed on the accuracy of their temperature and sunlight graphs, analyses, and conclusions.  Since every school will have different data and the participating schools vary year to year, it is therefore not possible to provide an answer key.

Procedure

	Step 6: Plot! Analyze! and Draw your Conclusions! Materials Final "Verified" Data reported from all the participating schools (available from the Project Data section). NOTE: check Project Instructions for Availability Graph paper or Spreadsheet Program (i.e. Excel) Printable Student Worksheet (Optional) Instructions 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