Activity Introduction
Quick summary: In this lesson students will prepare and conduct a survey, and analyse their data for trends using comparative box and whisker plots. They will investigate the issues facing Australians who require an organ or tissue transplant, particularly those who live in remote communities. They will follow the story of Henry from the documentary film Dying to Live, who is in need of a cornea transplant. Students will also consider the impact of increasing organ donation rates and how this might improve organ availability for all Australians.
Dying To Live is a documentary feature film that examines organ and tissue donation and transplantation in Australia through seven different stories that highlight the social, physical and emotional effects of being on the organ donor waiting list. The film also aims to dispel myths about organ and tissue donation, while encouraging family conversations so that family members are aware of their loved ones’ donation intentions. Find out how to screen or view the film here.
Learning intentions:
- Students are able to conduct a statistical investigation to address a real world issue.
- Students can prepare and conduct a survey, and analyse data for trends using box and whisker plots.
- Students understand processes and issues concerning organ transplantation and donation in Australia.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 10 Mathematics
- Evaluate statistical reports in the media and other places by linking claims to displays, statistics and representative data (ACMSP253)
- Construct and interpret box plots and use them to compare data sets (ACMSP249)
- Determine quartiles and interquartile range (ACMSP248)
Syllabus outcomes: MA5.1-12SP, MA5.2-15SP, MA5.1-2WM, MA5.2-2WM
General capabilities: Numeracy, Critical and Creative Thinking, Intercultural Understanding, Ethical Understanding
Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Culture
Relevant parts of Year 10 achievement standards: They compare data sets by referring to the shapes of the various data displays. They evaluate statistical reports. They calculate quartiles and interquartile ranges.
Topic: Social Issues, Learning Through Film
Unit of work: Dying to Live – Mathematics – Year 9 & 10
Time required: 90+ mins
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – teacher will need to facilitate class discussion and the development and collection of survey information.
Resources required: Student Worksheets – one copy per student. Device capable of presenting a video to the class. Student device for data collection and calculations (optional). Representing and Comparing Data Factsheet. Article: Not all doctors agree my patient deserved his kidney transplant. They’re wrong. Sticky notes – 3 per student. DonateLife ‘2017 Organ Donation and Transplantation Outcomes’ Factsheet
Related Professional Development: Exploring General Capabilities: Ethical Understanding
Keywords: Organ transplantation, organ donation, box and whisker plots, box plots, statistics, data investigation, survey, data collection, Dying to Live
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
Cool Australia, Aquarius Productions and Intrinsic Story would like to acknowledge the generous contributions of GoodPitch² Australia, Shark Island Institute, and Documentary Australia Foundation in the development of these teaching resources.
