Outliers, Trend Lines, Correlations! 6th Graders Analyze Results of Goldfield Investigation Using Statistics

After twenty days of collecting raw data, sixth graders used Excel software to chart and graph the results of the investigation.   Outliers are a piece of data that does not seem consistent with the other data.  Sixth graders know that data cannot be altered, but if an inconsistency is noticed, they can highlight it and use it in drawing conclusions.   The data was collected over time so line graphs were used to represent the sets of data from each class.  Trend lines were added so that correlations could be easily seen.  Students will graph all three class results and the mean of each set of data from each class.   If they see similar trend lines in each set of data, it will add validity to their conclusions.

Analysis: Looking for Correlations in Our Raw Data

After recording raw data for eight days in the outdoor classroom, students are analyzing the data for correlations.  A correlation is a mathematical term for the graphical relationship between things that happen or change together.

New Observations:

                                                      A new track is found by the water.

                                                        Evidence of a  Woodpecker ?

                                                           Red Winged Blackbird Nest

Pond Ecosystem Data Collection - EcoMUVE becomes EcoMURE

                                                         Multi-User-Real-Environment

                                      Checking for turbidity ratings and water temperature. 

                                                    Looking for population sightings.
                                    Sometimes the evidence of an animal is all we can find.

 

Consumers

                                                                     Decomposers

                                                                     Producers

Eco MUVE

"EcoMUVE is an exciting new curriculum research project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education that uses immersive virtual environments to teach middle school students about ecosystems and causal patterns.

The goal of the EcoMUVE project is to help students develop a deeper understanding of ecosystems and causal patterns with a curriculum that uses Multi‐User Virtual Environments (MUVEs). MUVEs are 3‐D virtual worlds that have a look and feel similar to videogames. They are accessed via computers and, in our case, recreate authentic ecological settings within which students explore and collect information. Students work individually at their computers and collaborate in teams within the virtual world. The immersive interface allows students to learn science by exploring and solving problems in realistic environments.
The EcoMUVE project is supported by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), U.S. Department of Education."
http://ecomuve.gse.harvard.edu/index.html

Students may download the virtual world at home using the following link.
http://ecomuve.gse.harvard.edu/standalone_EcoMUVE.php

Goldfields Have Germinated

Goldfields have germinated in all three treatments.  Students collected quantitative data by counting the number of seedlings.  So far, treatment one has the most seedlings and the largest ratio.
Qualitative data was also taken. Students did notice some mold growing in pots that were covered with the 7-9cm of litter.  Students decided to trim the litter to the width of the containers so that it would be easier to manage and cover the soil more completely.

Starting Our Germination Experiment - Will Litter Affect the Germination of Vernal Pool Plants?

Planting the seeds.  They look mighty tiny in Dar's hand.

Adding the litter.  2 cm of litter for treatment 2 and 9 cm of litter for treatment 3.  Treatment 1 is a control with no litter added.

Ready to wait and see what happens!!! In a few weeks we should see the goldfields start to grow.