Data Generating Experiments

The following experiments are chosen because they are interesting ways of generating data that can be analysed

In some cases you can compare left hand with right hand and therefore generate paired data, in other cases the data will need to be grouped, all of the experiments can be adapted in a number of ways and the data constrained for the less able

Alternatively you might require the pupils to devise an experiment to test memory or estimation skills …

Discrete or Continuous Data

Push Penny

Mark pencil lines on a desk (or large piece of paper), marked 1 to 10 then back down to 1 and pupils are required to place a penny hanging over the edge of the table and then push it with the heel of their hand.

The score is the higher score of the two lines they lie between or the line they lie on. [Discrete data]

Or the distance from a single target line [Continuous]

Discrete or Continuous Data

Marble Target

Set up a target such as an OXO cube box

From a distance of 1m roll with your favoured hand 10 marbles and record the hits.

Now try with your unfavoured hand

Try from a distance of 1.5m or 2m …

Discrete Data

Paper Basketball

Set up a waste paper bin target

From a fixed distance throw with your favoured hand 10 pieces of scrap A4 paper and record the number of baskets.

Now try with your unfavoured hand

Try from other distances

Discrete Data

Memory

Using the NRICH test of memory – Click here

The data is stored on the screen and can be copied into a spreadsheet or copied down onto paper

Try playing music whilst they are doing the test, does it make a difference?

Continuous Data

Paper Planes

Make a paper aeroplane in 5 minutes and record the furthest distance it flies.

Continuous Data

Speed Maze

Present pupils with a pre-defined route and time how long it takes them to draw a pencil line from start to finish. Each time the line is touched a 1 second penalty is applied.

Alternatively present them with a maze and time how long it takes them to complete it.

Continuous Data

Celebrity Ages

Project the images of 10 celebrities and ask pupils to guess the ages of each

The score is the number of years they are away from the correct age

Work out their total or average score (rounded to the nearest integer)

Discrete Data

Estimation

Estimate the length of a line or the size of an angle

Estimate a length of time or a weight of an object

Estimate the number of marbles in a jar

[Compare estimates of small lengths, times, angles, weights with those for larger ones]

Discrete or Continuous Data

Number Recognition

Estimate the number of dots projected (visible for only 1 second), where some are arranged randomly and others in a pattern.

Compare the number of random ones you get correct with those arranged in a pattern

Discrete Data

Play Your Cards Right

How many times can you predict correctly whether the next card is higher or lower

Using 10 playing cards [or a random number generator], get pupils to predict whether the next number will be higher or lower. Record the number of times out of 10 they guessed correctly, pair pupils up to reduce cheating!

Discrete Data