Activity Overview
In this activity, students represent and analyze climate data. They use linear regressions to understand the relationship between temperatures measured in the Fahrenheit and Celsius scales and examine conversion factors.
Before the Activity
Set up the calculator for data collection using the procedure described in the attached Appendix PDF file
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 179 - 194 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Place a Celsius and a Fahrenheit thermometer in hot water and record the temperature after every 10 seconds
Place the thermometers in cold water and record the temperature after every 10 seconds
Enter Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature data as lists
Set up a scatter plot and model the data by graphing a line of best fit using linear regression
Verify the equation for converting degree Celsius to degree Fahrenheit
Reverse the data and repeat the steps to determine an equation for converting degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Celsius
Enter the month wise breakdown of rainfall and temperature data for desert, tundra, and tropical forest ecosystems
Plot rainfall versus temperature data
Set up a box-and-whisker plot and find a linear regression to construct a climagraph
Understand how rainfall and temperature differ in various ecosystems
After the Activity
Students will complete the Data Collection and Analysis page and answer questions.
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary