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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Analyzing Experimental Data with Desmos

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Analyzing Experimental Data with Desmos

A 9-12 grade STEM lesson

Freddy Melara

6/20/2024

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Notes for teachers

Students will learn to analyze experimental data by plotting and performing regression analysis using Desmos. They will apply this knowledge to understand the relationship between variables in a physics experiment.

List of Materials

  • Computers or tablets with internet access
  • Desmos account
  • Supplies for a simple pendulum experiment (use Youtube or Google if you haven’t done one or have a teacher colleague who has)
  • Data from a simple pendulum experiment (length of the pendulum vs. period)

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Standards

HS-PS3-1: Create a computational model to calculate the change in the energy of one component in a system when the change in energy of the other component(s) and energy flows in and out of the system are known.

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HS-PS4-1: Use mathematical representations to support a claim regarding relationships among the frequency, wavelength, and speed of waves traveling in various media.

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Standards

HSN-Q.A.1: Use units as a way to understand problems and to guide the solution of multi-step problems; choose and interpret units consistently in formulas; choose and interpret the scale and the origin in graphs and data displays.

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Objectives:

Students will be able to use computational tools to analyze data

Students will be able to widely used tools (Desmos)

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Agenda (50 mins)

Data Collection

Desmos Graphing

Analysis and Interpretation

Reflection and Discussion

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Pendulum Video: What factors might affect the period of a pendulum?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

  • Students ideally work in pairs or independently.
  • Setup a pendulum and have students independently record data related to the period as the length is changed.
  • If no pendulum is available then use a synthetic data list.

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Data

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Assessment (DESMOS link in next slide)

Input Data:

  • Click on the + button and select "Table".
  • Enter the length data in the x column and the period data in the y column.

Create Scatter Plot:

  • Ensure all data points are visible on the graph.
  • Adjust the window settings if necessary for better visualization.

Perform Regression Analysis:

  • Click on the + button and select "Add Expression".
  • Type in the regression model, y~ a*sqrt(x)
  • Desmos will automatically calculate the best-fit value for a

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Assessment

Challenge students to collect data on any physical phenomenon and create a regression model in desmos. If students struggle to generate the right model, guide them to common mathematical models used in the sciences.

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Differentiation

Students that struggle with math should be given common math models used in science

Students who struggle can be given the example desmos link in SLIDE 11

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Have students find real world data like what can be found on a website such as datanuggets http://datanuggets.org/2016/10/male-crickets-feed-females-during-courtship/

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or other sites that are aligned to student interest.

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Challenge students to research how analysis on complex data is done.