Lesson summary
In this lesson, students will consolidate learning from the previous two ClimateWatch lessons by taking on the role of a data analyst and communicator. Students consider phenological data samples of the Australian magpie and temperature data to make inferences and predictions. After summarising the data and drawing conclusions, students will work in groups to create a digital report of their findings for an audience of their peers.
Learning intentions:
Students will...
- be able to analyse raw data to make it more understandable
- be able to make predictions based on their analysed data
- be able to offer suggestions based on their predictions
- be able to communicate their findings
Success criteria:
Students can...
- use summary statistics to turn data into meaningful evidence
- recognise that samples chosen may result in differences between their respective summary statistics
- choose which statistical measures can be applied to the Australian magpie dataset
- make predictions based on conclusions relating to phenology data
Lesson guides and printables
Lesson details
Curriculum mapping
Australian curriculum content descriptions:Â
Year 7 Mathematics:
- Identify and investigate issues involving numerical data collected from primary and secondary sources (ACMSP169)
- Construct and compare a range of data displays including stem-and-leaf plots and dot plots (ACMSP170)
Year 8 Mathematics:
- Investigate techniques for collecting data, including census, sampling and observation (ACMSP284)
- Explore the practicalities and implications of obtaining data through sampling using a variety of investigative processes (ACMSP206)
Syllabus outcomes: MA4-1WM, MA4-3WM, MA4-19SP.
General capabilities: Literacy, Numeracy, Critical and Creative Thinking
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability
Relevant parts of Year 7 achievement standards: Students construct stem-and-leaf plots and dot-plots.
Relevant parts of Year 8 achievement standards: Students choose appropriate language to describe events and experiments. They explain issues related to the collection of data and the effect of outliers on means and medians in that data.
Unit of work: ClimateWatch: Citizen Science – Mathematics – Years 7 & 8
Time required: 120 min.
Level of teacher scaffolding: High – teachers will facilitate class discussions, independent research and digital media creation
Resources required
- Device capable of presenting a clip to the class
- Enough computers or laptops with Excel installed to enable students to work in pairs or small groups
- Magpie Data Set and Temperature Phenology Graphs loaded onto students’ computers or laptops
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet
- Access to various technology for creation of digital resources (to be negotiated with students based on what is available in your school)
Skills
This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Digital literacy
- Social skills
Additional info
The lessons in this unit have been developed in partnership with Earthwatch.
Earthwatch developed the ClimateWatch program with the Bureau of Meteorology and The University of Melbourne to understand how changes in temperature and rainfall are affecting the seasonal behaviour of Australia’s plants and animals.Â
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