BACKGROUND:
 Scientists collect data
and present it to other scientists. In order to present it in a way
that others can understand, scientists must first analyze their data and
interpret it. They can then present it in an interesting way.
In this lab students will be asked to collect, analyze, interpret and present
data.
 There are many different types
of graphs that are used by the scientific community, as well as other professions.
Economists, police, city officials, and many other people use graphs to
help make people understand data that is collected.
Pie graphs are used when the
entire circle is divided into percentage. Each pie is a fraction
or percentage of 100%. A line graph depends on how the axis is defined
in the x and y direction. It is usually on a real number, and not
percentage. Bar graphs are usually for a real number to compare different
categories in a very visual manner. Students will be making a bar
graph representation of flag poles using the appropriate worksheets.
PROCEDURE:
- Give students
the two worksheets. In this exercise, students measure and collect
data. Students can also discuss characteristics of each flag.
- Discuss the use of the
scale on the worksheet with the flags. Ask the students to use their
ruler and mark how long this length is on their metric rulers. Show
them that if they don’t have a ruler, they can mark the length on a small
piece of paper and use that to measure the height.
- Have them measure each
of the flags and record their answers in the space below each flag.
- On the second worksheet,
have students plot the data they have collected. They should plot
each length above the appropriate country’s name. Remind them that
this is a bar graph. Have them color in each bar of the
graph.
- Inform the students
that a bar graph is a very visual way of presenting data. By making
each bar a different color a fellow scientist can easily see the differences
between the lengths of the flagpoles.
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