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....

How do you summarize data that cannot be averaged? Using an exploratory method, learners complete a two-way frequency table on super powers. The subject matter builds upon 8th grade knowledge of two-way tables. 

Probability, especially conditional probability, can be a slippery concept for young statisticians.  Statements that seem self-evident on the surface often require a daunting amount of calculations to explicate, or turn out to be...

Bring the ocean floor to life! Earth science scholars discover the process of deep sea mapping in the third installment in a series of five lessons about ocean exploration. The teacher's guide includes helpful resources, worksheets, and...

Scale up your lessons with a performance task. Young data analysts work through an assessment task on scaled bar graphs. They answer questions about a given scaled bar graph on favorite colors, analyze a bar graph to see if it matches...

Over the course of three class periods, middle schoolers design an experiment to provide learner input to administration about which rock band to invite to play at school. They practice several random sampling exercises, all well...

How many people really recycle recyclables and how do they feel about it? High schoolers create a survey to find out. Once they agree on what questions to include, they each interview four people outside of the classroom....

Students locate an area of marsh and, by measuring the total number of individual plants in a sample area, determine whether purple loosestrife population density is correlated to the total plant diversity of the community. They...

Students explore how scientists keep track of fish populations and why it is important to do so. They describe three methods currently used to sample fish populations. They participate in activities to simulate several of the sampling...

In this data handling worksheet, students determine biased and unbiased questions to surveys. They explore methods of data collection and design a data collection sheet. This two-page worksheet contains 3 multi-step problems.

Learners examine the factors that affect the accuracy of opinion surveys. They calculate probability and chance using data they have collected. They practice reading tables and graphs as well.

Eleventh graders practice the Quadrat Survey Technique to analyze the biodiversity of a local plant community. They compare its biodiversity with the documented changes in biodiversity of the tallgrass prairie over time.

Having a strong searching skill set can make a research project much easier and much for successful for pupils. Tackle finding evidence with the ideas included here. The ultimate goal is for class members to learn the stepping stones...

In this student opinions survey learning exercise, students solve and complete 3 different problems related to conducting a students survey of opinions. First, they describe in detail a practical method for selecting a sample that uses...

In this algebra instructional activity, students identify bias as they analyze data. They solve word problems about sampling and surveys. There are 2 questions with an answer key.

In this probability and statistics worksheet, students determine when a collected data or a graph of the data could be biased.  The one page worksheet contains four multiple choice questions.  Answers are included.   

They say elephants never forget—and your class won't forget an insightful modeling activity either! Junior zoologists take part in a mock elephant census using the sample count and total count methods. The included materials provide...

Students practice sampling and graphing techniques. In this data collection and interpretation instructional activity, students write and conduct surveys about chocolate preferences and then collect their data. Students graph the data in...

Eighth graders evaluate whether a certain argument is valid or invalid. In this science lesson, 8th graders discuss the importance of using unbiased evidence. They design an experiment that they can test in school.

Ever-changing fashion fads are the ideal context for an engaging sociology experiment for adolescents. Through research and conducting a survey, learners draw conclusions about the controversial jelly bracelets fad, banned in some...

Learners create survey questions to discover why students join clubs. Using sampling methods and question phrasing techniques, they conduct the survey both in and out of school. Once learners analyze their survey information, they...

Students, after brainstorming on health data, design a class or school survey on asthma. They collect, tabulate, and summarize the data. The data is placed on an Excel spreadsheet program. Upon completion, many demographic questions are...

Seventh graders explore the concept of collecting data. In this data collection lesson, 7th graders survey others about their environmental habits. Students graph their data.

Learners design questions that can be answered by collecting data. In this line-plot lesson, pupils collect data and graph on a line plot on world records. An abundant supply of teacher support is provided in this resource.