This article explores the ways in which data can be sorted and displayed, and how data may be used for making predictions. It uses a parent’s job as a meteorologist and an upcoming sports competition as the contexts for using data. Students sort their data sets in a variety of ways, looking for clues and patterns.
The journal article is tagged as supporting English, mathematics and statistics but it also supports the science capabilities ‘gather and interpret data’, ‘use evidence’ and ‘critique evidence’.
Check your school resource area for the article from the 2013 Level 3 Connected journal, ‘Food for thought’, download it as a google slide presentation from Tāhūrangi or order it from the Ministry of Education.
2013 Connected Level 3: Food for Thought
The cover of the 2013 Level 3 Connected journal, ‘Food for Thought’ published by the Ministry of Education, New Zealand. This issue includes the articles: ‘Why is the Moon upside down?’, ‘A New Zealand Crocodile’, ‘Fast rust’, ‘You can count on it’ and ‘The fish highway’.
Photo of student by Adrian Heke. Perigee moon – supermoon 2013 photo © Dave Young.
Teacher support material and reusable content
The teacher support material (TSM) can be downloaded from Tāhūrangi. The material outlines key nature of science examples – within the context of data gathering and interpretation – profiled in the article. It includes five activities that involve gathering and using data. Two activities have specific science components: Whatever the weather and Climate change?
The reusable content has text and images from the article.
Related content
Our article on weather forecasting includes an interactive timeline summarising the major historical developments in weather monitoring and forecasting.
Scientists use modelling to help make predictions, below are some examples:
Check out our entire range of Connected articles here. We’ve curated them by topic and concepts.
Related activities
Use these data gathering activities with your students:
Useful links
The Connected journals can be ordered from the Down the back of the chair website. Access to these resources is restricted to Ministry-approved education providers. To find out if you are eligible for a login or if you have forgotten your login details contact their customer services team on 0800 660 662 or email orders@thechair.education.govt.nz.
Acknowledgement
The Connected series is published annually by the Ministry of Education, New Zealand.
