EngageNY
The Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD)
Is there a way to measure variability? The ninth resource in a series of 22 introduces mean absolute deviation, a measure of variability. Pupils learn how to determine the measure based upon its name, then they use the mean...
Normal Community High School
Scientific Measurement
Pupils learn everything from how to take scientific measurements, to accuracy/precision, to density and a plethora of topics from a presentation on the metric system.
EngageNY
Describing Center, Variability, and Shape of a Data Distribution from a Graphical Representation
What is the typical length of a yellow perch? Pupils analyze a histogram of lengths for a sample of yellow perch from the Great Lakes. They determine which measures of center and variability are best to use based upon the shape of the...
Shodor Education Foundation
Measures
Take a look at data from a statistical lens. An interactive allows pupils to enter data set, labeling the data including the units used. Manipulating the applet, learners select the statistics to calculate that include total, mean,...
EngageNY
Measuring Variability for Skewed Distributions (Interquartile Range)
Should the standard deviation be used for all distributions? Pupils know that the median is a better description of the center for skewed distributions; therefore, they will need a variability measure about the median for those...
American Statistical Association
Armspans
Young mathematicians collect data on the arm spans of classmates. Then they sort the data by measures of center, spread, and standard deviation. Finally, they compare groups, such as boys and girls, to interpret any differences.
Curated OER
Making Informed Decisions Using Measures of Central Tendency
Students calculate the mean, median, mode, range, and interquartile range for a set of data. They create a box and whisker plot using paper and pencil and technology and determine which measure of central tendency is the most helpful in...
Curated OER
Introduction to Measures of Central Tendency and Variability
Students calculate the mean, median, mode, range, and interquartile range for a set of data. They create a box and whisker plot using paper, pencil and technology.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Mean, Median, Mode, and Range
What a find! Here is a lesson, designed to meet sixth grade math Common Core standards, that focuses on the calculation of different measures of center for the scores from a penalty shoot-out competition. An independent...
EngageNY
Using Sample Data to Compare the Means of Two or More Populations II
The 23rd segment in a series of 25 presents random samples from two populations to determine whether there is a difference. Groups determine whether they believe there is a difference between the two populations and later use an...
EngageNY
Measuring Variability for Symmetrical Distributions
How do we measure the deviation of data points from the mean? An enriching activity walks your class through the steps to calculate the standard deviation. Guiding questions connect the steps to the context, so the process...
EngageNY
Describing Variability Using the Interquartile Range (IQR)
The 13th lesson plan in a unit of 22 introduces the concept of the interquartile range (IQR). Class members learn to determine the interquartile range, interpret within the context of the data, and finish by finding the IQR using an...
Noyce Foundation
Ducklings
The class gets their mean and median all in a row with an assessment task that uses a population of ducklings to work with data displays and measures of central tendency. Pupils create a frequency chart and calculate the mean and median....
EngageNY
Using Sample Data to Compare the Means of Two or More Populations
Determine whether there is a difference between two grades. Teams generate random samples of two grade levels of individuals. Groups use the mean absolute deviation to determine whether there is a meaningful difference between the...
Teach Engineering
Creepy Silly Putty
It might be silly to determine the creep rate of putty but groups will enjoy making different formulations of silly putty and playing with them to understand how the different mixtures behave. The second part of the activity has groups...
Curated OER
Introduction to Measurement
Students are able to observe and measure the variability in the length of the forearm and the length of the foot and to test a common belief of the foot is equal to the length of the forearm.
Curated OER
Investigating Seasonal Variability in NO2 Concentrations
Students study different formats of data and determine the nitrogen dioxide concentrations. In this seasons lesson students understand the different relationships that NO2 can have.
Mathed Up!
Stem and Leaf Diagrams
Order the data within a stem-and-leaf display. Pupils take data and create and ordered stem-and-leaf diagrams, including the key. Participants take their data and determine answers about the information. Class members then find...
EngageNY
Mid-Module Assessment Task - Algebra 1 (module 2)
A mid-module assessment uses two multi-part questions to measure progress toward mastery on descriptive statistics standards. Each part of a question addresses a single standard to help determine mastery.
US Department of Commerce
Census in Counties - Describing and Comparing Histograms to Understand American Life
Use graphs to interpret life in 136 counties. Pupils analyze histograms and describe the shapes of the distributions of data collected from several counties on different aspects of life. Scholars make predictions on the difference in...
Noyce Foundation
Baseball Players
Baseball is all about statistics. Pupils solve problems related to mean, median, and range. They calculate the total weight of players given the mean weight, calculate the mean weight of reserve players given the mean weight of the...
EngageNY
Comparing Distributions
Data distributions can be compared in terms of center, variability, and shape. Two exploratory challenges present data in two different displays to compare. The displays of histograms and box plots require different comparisons based...
Teach Engineering
Preconditioning Balloons: Viscoelastic Biomedical Experiments
What does stretching a balloon have to do with equilibrium? Groups explore preconditioning by stretching a balloon to a point of equilibrium. They then measure the amount of force required to stretch the balloon to the same point several...
American College of Sports Medicine
Selecting and Effectively Using Hydration for Fitness
How much water does your body lose during exercise? How much should you hydrate during and after exercise? Address the importance of hydration with your young athletes using this informative handout.