Statistics: Steppin' Out
Source Institutions
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PBS
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In this math lesson, learners construct box-and-whisker plots to analyze and compare data sets. Learners investigate whether or not long-legged people run faster than short-legged people. Learners measure the length of their legs and time how long it takes them to run a specified distance. They organize the data they collect into a human box-and-whisker plot.
- 5 to 10 minutes
- 1 to 2 hours
- $1 - $5 per group of students
- Ages 11 - 14
- Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Meter sticks or tape measures
- One roll of cash register tape
- Scotch tape
- Index cards
- Track or area where learners can run (approximately 60 yards)
- Stopwatch
- Tag board labeled: Upper Extreme, Lower Extreme, Upper Quartile, Lower Quartile, Median, and Outliers
- Laptop computer (optional)
- Computer graphing program such as Statistics Workshop by Sunburst (optional)
- Printer (optional)
- 1 Transparency per group (optional)
Subjects
- Life Sciences
- Human Body
- Mathematics
- Data Analysis and Probability
- Data Analysis
- Data Collection
- Data Representation
- Probability
- Measurement
- Units of Measurement
- Number and Operations
- Problem Solving
- Reasoning and Proof
- Representation
- Data Analysis and Probability
Informal Categories
- Outdoor Activity
- Physical Activity
- Sports and Exercise
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- read
- be mobile
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics:
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.SP.A.2: Understand that a set of data collected to answer a statistical question has a distribution which can be described by its center, spread, and overall shape.(more info about this benchmark)
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.SP.B.4: Display numerical data in plots on a number line, including dot plots, histograms, and box plots.(more info about this benchmark)
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All Rights Reserved, PBS, ©2012
Funding Source:
- US Department of Education
