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Graphing Science Experiment Results |
Credits:
Sandy Bennett
Mountain View Elementary, Broomfield, CO
VITAL INFORMATION
Subject Matter:
Science/Math/Writing
Grades:
4 - 5
Software:
StarOffice Calc
Lesson Description
Summary:
Students conducted a science experiment which had three trials. We then brought our results to the Sun Lab, entered the data on a spreadsheet, and then made three separate graphs, one for each trial. We used our graphs to help us draw conclusions about the experiments. Each student then wrote up their conclusion and put it on the bottom of their graph.
State & National Standards:
Science Standard: Formulate hypotheses, draw conclusions and make convincing arguments based on data analysis.
Math Standard: Read and construct displays of data using appropriate techniques.
Language Arts Standard: Students write effectively and correctly for a variety of audiences and purposes.
Local Standards:
INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY SKILLS CONTINUUM
Standard #2 Productivity Applications: Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.
2B Spreadsheets 2B.1 Identifies and defines parts of a spreadsheet (i.e. cell, formula, column, and row)
2B.2 Collects, organizes (sorts), displays and interprets data using spreadsheets
2B.3 Uses graphing capabilities of programs to graph results of entered data
2B.4 Performs calculations (i.e. AutoSum, function wizard, and/or paste function)
Lesson Outcomes:
Students will be able to insert data from a science experiment into a spread sheet and create a graph that is labeled correctly and has a title. Students will be able to use the graph to analyze the results and write a conclusion based on the data.
Assessment:
Students will print out their final product which will be graded on the following criteria:
Are the data included?
Does their conclusion relate back to their original hypothesis in a reasonable way?
Did they make a graph with appropriate labels for axis and an appropriate title?
Classroom and Time Management
Student Prerequisites:
Students should have completed the lessons on creating spreadsheets and done at least three trials of an experiment.
Lesson Preparation:
We have done many experiments and used hand-produced graphs to think about and write our conclusions.
Time Frame:
Two or three 45-minute periods.
Implementation Steps:
Period 1: Using the video projector, discuss and demonstrate how the data should be entered into a spreadsheet. Have students enter their data.
Period 2: Discuss components of a good graph. Have students create graphs using their data, using proper formatting.
Period 3: Write conclusions. This can be done directly onto the bottom of the spreadsheet and formatted properly, or can be written in Writer and transferred to the spreadsheet using select/copy/paste.
RESOURCES
Science data from experiments.
Spreadsheet
Overview
Student Product(s)
Students printed their spreadsheet and graphs.
Reflections
Students loved using the computer to create graphs, and produced excellent examples. They tend to get carried away formatting, changing colors, etc. so time management is important.
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Developed under a grant from Sun Microsystems, Inc. Open Gateways at Mountain View
Elementary School by Steve Gandy, Technology Coordinator - mountain.adams12.org/TISS
© 2003