Education Technology


The Calcumites are Coming!

Activity Overview

Students' model the growth of a population and compare ideal growth with a population whose growth is limited. They use technology to find exponential and logistic regression equations and use them to plot models.

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 43 - 54 from the attached PDF file for your class
  • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to the class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:

  • Enter the generation and the number of offspring pairs data for the ideal growth population
  • Graph a scatter plot
  • Calculate the slope of sections of the graph and determine the growth rate
  • Perform an exponential regression on the ideal growth data
  • Enter generation and the number of offspring pairs data for a population with limited growth
  • Graph a scatter plot
  • Calculate the slope of sections of the graph and determine the growth rate
  • Perform a logistic regression on the limited growth data
  • Compare the plots for both regressions
  • Find the number of offspring pairs after 20 generations
  • 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