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