Looking for an estimation activity a bit more involved than the typical "guess the number of jellybeans in the jar" game? Here, learners use a picture to estimate the number of people at a large event, look for potential problems with...

Some say that you can make statistics say whatever you want. It is important for learners to recognize these biases. Pupils learn about sample bias and the different types of samples.

Emerging statisticians develop the ability to make inferences from sample data while also working on proportional relationships in general. Here, young learners examine samples for bias, and then use random samples to make...

Students explore different methods of taking surveys and conducting polls and examine these methods for bias. They design and administer a sample survey, analyze the data and present their findings to the class.

Students consider the advantages and disadvantages of various sampling techniques. They define a simple random sample and identify possible sources of bias in other types of samples. Answer Key included.

Students explore the concept of sampling techniques. In this sampling techniques lesson, students identify possible sources of bias in situations such as phone polls, supermarket surveys, and drawing names from a phone book. Students...

Students investigate qualitative and quantitative data. In this statistics lesson, students gather data on heights and weights of people and graph the distribution. Students discuss the differences between qualitative and quantitative data.

Crabs and lobsters ... yum! The 18th installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program focuses on invertebrate marine life. After the lecture slideshow, learners conduct an activity to sample...

Just how confident can we be with statistics calculated from a sample? Learners take this into account as they look at data from a sample of petroleum engineer salaries. They analyze the effect sample size has on a margin of error and...

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. 

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...

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....

Young scholars 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...

High schoolers 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...

Learners practice sampling and graphing techniques. In this data collection and interpretation lesson, students write and conduct surveys about chocolate preferences and then collect their data. Learners graph the data in order to...

Eighth graders evaluate whether a certain argument is valid or invalid. In this science activity, 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...

Students 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 students 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.