Mission Launch Slides Data Change Makers
Using Statistics to Transform Our School
Analyze
Scale
Impact
The Big Questions
"How can people bring change to their society?"
"Why is it essential that young people are empowered to analyze and transform their society?"
Your 7-Day Mission
01
Launch & Design
Choose an environmental issue, write a statistical question, and plan your survey.
02
Investigate
Gather your data! Use Google Sheets to find mean, median, and measures of spread.
03
Scale & Present
Scale your data to the whole school and propose a solution that creates real impact.
Select Your Investigation
Which school habit will you analyze?
Plastic Cutlery
How many single-use plastic items are used during one lunch period?
Teacher Commutes
How many teachers drive separate cars to school versus carpooling or biking?
Classroom Nature
How many plants are in our classrooms? How does this impact our air quality?
Custom Challenge
Identify another habit (lights left on, paper waste, water bottle use) to investigate.
The Power of the Question
What makes a question "Statistical"?
A statistical question is one that can be answered by collecting data and where there will be variability in the data.
Not Statistical
"Does Mrs. Smith drive to school?"
(Yes/No - No variability)
Statistical
"How many miles do the teachers at our school drive each day?"
(Multiple answers - lots of variability)
Who are you asking?
We can't ask all 384 students and 42 teachers in one day. We need a representative sample.
Target Sample: At least 30-40 responses.
Goal: Unbiased and random.
Random Sampling
"If everyone has an equal chance of being picked, your data reflects the whole group!"
Mission Launch Log Handout Mission Launch Log
Data Change Makers: Days 1-2
Agent Name:
Date:
01. The Big Why
Consider our essential question: How can people bring change to their society? Why do you think it is important for young people like you to use data to solve problems instead of just guessing?
02. Mission Selection
Circle your investigation topic:
Plastic Waste
School Air (Plants)
Teacher Commutes
Custom Habit
Draft your Statistical Question (Must result in numerical data with variability):
Why is this a statistical question? (Identify the variability):
03. Investigation Blueprint
Data Collection Method:
Direct Observation (Counting)
Survey (Digital or Paper)
Interviewing specific people
Sampling Plan:
How will you ensure your sample is representative and not biased?
Survey Question Design
Write exactly what you will ask or look for. Ensure the answer will be a number .
Peer Review Checkpoint
Has a peer checked that your question is statistical?
Yes
No
Stats Lab Worksheet Stats Lab Log
Data Change Makers: Days 4-5
Topic:
Sample Size (\(n\)):
01. Raw Data Entry
List your survey results in order from least to greatest. This will help you find the median and quartiles later!
02. Measures of Center
MEAN (Average)
Sum of all data \(\div\) Number of data points.
MEDIAN (Middle)
The middle value when data is in order.
03. Measures of Variation
RANGE
(Max - Min)
IQR
(Q3 - Q1)
MAD
Mean Absolute Dev.
Data Storyteller:
"Looking at our measures of center and variation, I can see that the typical value for our topic is ________, but our data is (spread out / clustered together) because our IQR is ________. This tells us that..."
04. Visualizing the Shape
Sketch a rough version of your box plot or histogram below before making it in Google Sheets.
Impact Calculator Handout Impact Calculator
Data Change Makers: Day 6
School Population
384 Students
/
42 Teachers
01. Scaling to the School
Now that you have your sample data (e.g., 30 people), you must predict the impact for the entire school . Use your Mean (average) and set up a proportion.
Your Mean Value
Your Sample Size
=
Total School?
426 (Total People)
Show your cross-multiplication or scaling steps here:
Daily School Impact:
02. The Better Way
Identify One Solution:
Example: Swap plastic forks for bamboo or teachers carpool 2 days a week.
Estimated "Improved" Mean:
How much would your average value drop with this solution?
03. The Yearly Transformation
If the school uses our solution for 180 days...
Impact Now (Yearly)
Impact with Solution (Yearly)
Total Potential Saving:
We can reduce our impact by...
Presentation Blueprint Teacher Guide Presentation Blueprint
Final Project Rubric & Checklist
Project Goal
Change the School
Slide Requirements
Slide 1: Mission Title
Creative name, team members, and your "Big Why".
Slide 2: The Question
State your statistical question and sampling method.
Slide 3: Data Dashboard
Show your Mean, Median, IQR, and MAD.
Slide 4: The Visualization
Box Plot or Histogram (made in Google Sheets).
Slide 5: The Impact Scale
Show the proportion math to scale up to 426 people.
Slide 6: The Proposed Solution
What is your plan? Show the calculated "Savings".
Scoring Rubric
Criteria Exceeds (4) Meets (3) Approaching (2) Statistics (6.SP) Flawless calculations of center and variation; deep analysis of distribution shape. Calculates Mean, Median, and IQR correctly. Describes basic shape. Calculations present but contain minor errors or missing specific metrics. Proportions Advanced scaling logic to predict complex yearly savings accurately. Correctly sets up and solves proportion for the population of 426. Scaling attempt made but logic or math setup is inconsistent. Impact Solution Innovative solution with high-level data-driven justification. Links data results to a logical school-based environmental solution. Solution is vague or not clearly supported by gathered data. Empowerment Powerful reflection on youth agency and ability to transform society. Addresses why young people should analyze and change their society. Brief reflection on project purpose without clear connection to agency.
Implementation Notes
Grouping: Teams of 2-3 are ideal to ensure every student handles data and proportions.
Data Ethics: Discuss why biased sampling (asking only friends) leads to flawed data and poor policy.
Tech Tip: Use =AVERAGE() and =MEDIAN() in Google Sheets to verify manual work.
Presentation: Consider inviting school admins to the final Day 7 gallery walk.
