Activity Introduction
Quick summary: During this lesson students collect data about the biodiversity of their schoolyard. Using this data they calculate the biodiversity index of the area of the schoolyard they personally analysed and compare this with other areas around the school to calculate a total average for the schoolyard. They reflect on their results to suggest options for increasing the biodiversity of their school.
This lesson is designed to be taught outside. It contains all the tools required for students to reap the benefits of being outdoors while learning the outcomes of the Australian Curriculum. By spending time outdoors and connecting to nature, students are more likely to care for and conserve nature as adults.
Learning goals:
- Students understand that box plots are an efficient and common way of representing and summarising data and can facilitate comparisons between data sets.
- Students know how to use parallel box plots to compare data.
- Students find the five-number summary (minimum and maximum values, median and upper and lower quartiles) and using its graphical representation, the box plot, as tools for both numerically and visually comparing the centre and spread of data sets.
- Students recognise the mental, physical and academic benefits of completing classroom activities outside.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 10 Mathematics
- Determine quartiles and interquartile range (ACMSP248)
- Construct and interpret box plots and use them to compare data sets (ACMSP249)
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Numeracy.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.2.
Relevant parts of Year 10 Mathematics achievement standards: Students calculate quartiles and inter-quartile ranges.
Topic: Outdoor Learning, Biodiversity.
Unit of work: Outdoor Learning Unit.
Time required: 80-100 mins
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – oversee activity and facilitate discussion.
Resources required: Student Worksheet – one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet. Device capable of presenting a website to the class. Box Plot Practice Sheet. Biodiversity Index – Data Collection. One copy of Census or Sample – Data Collection for each group. One copy of Census or Sample Data Analysis – Your School for each student.
Digital technology opportunities: Digital sharing capabilities.
Keywords: Data, statistics, biodiversity, schoolyard, Biodiversity Index, outdoor learning.
Cool Australia would like to thank the Albert George & Nancy Caroline Youngman Trust – managed by Equity Trustees.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
Teacher preparation