Metric Mania! &
Data Crunchers
Division A (Elementary)
NCSO Coaches Clinic 2018
Sara Roberson
sroberson1@wcpss.net
Metric Mania Event Format
-new event, but based on Data Crunchers from previous years
-teams of 2 students
-station format*
-students should bring NOTHING (writing instruments and all tools required will be provided
*talk to students about how to navigate a station format event- rotating from place to place, staying on track with answer sheet, won’t start at #1, whispering and keeping answers to themselves
Dimensions to measure
-measure in metric units:
-length (meter)
-mass (gram)
-fluid volume (liter)
-temperature (Celcius)
-angles (degrees)
-make calculations based on these measurements (area, perimeter, volume, etc.)
Tools that may be used
-ruler, calculator, protractor, meter stick/tape, electronic or triple beam balance, beaker, Erlenmeyer flask, graduated cylinder, caliper, thermometer
Students should understand:
-scale of metric units (10mm=1cm, 100cm=1m, etc.)
-appropriate units to measure various items, or for calculations (m, cm, mm, km, mg, g, kg, mL, L, kL *C, K, cm^2, cm^3)
-how to make measurement estimations
-how to draw and identify lines and angles
-how to analyze shapes based on lines and angles
-how to measure and calculate volume of: rectangular prism, liquid in a container, irregular object using water and a graduated cylinder
Preparation Tips
-work with your Data Crunchers group- have MM group do the measurements and provide the data to DC to make their charts
-measure ALL KINDS of stuff- especially irregular objects
-expect accuracy, to smallest degree possible- PRECISION counts! Have each teammate measure the item and compare for accuracy
-give students experience working with all possible tools, in various sizes
-students should make sure to use correct unit- many tools have multiple units
-multiple tools may be available- must know which tool to use
More prep tips
-students should realize that beakers/E flasks are not perfectly accurate- should be within 10%, so good for estimating
Useful Links
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/factsheet/ma22leng-e3-f-different-measuring-equipment (factsheets and worksheets for various measures/tools)
https://www.education.com/activity/measurement/ measurement activities and games to try
https://www.neok12.com/Measurements.htm videos and games
http://science.jrank.org/kids/pages/190/Measurement-Tools.html all about tools and measures
Data Crunchers Event Format
-this is a new event
-teams of 2 students
-station format*
-students should bring writing instruments ONLY
*talk to students about how to navigate a station format event- rotating from place to place, staying on track with answer sheet, won’t start at #1, whispering and keeping answers to themselves
Topics
-collect, represent, and analyze data
-data tables, bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, pictographs
-perform simple experiments to collect data, graph their results and make predictions
Students should understand:
-how to plot data points, make and interpret data tables
-how to draw and interpret graphs, including what trends can be predicted from the data shown.
-how to make estimates of data between or beyond the data points given.
- how to calculate fractions or percentages based on charts, tables or data.
-how to calculate the mean, median, and mode for a set of data.
-how to distinguish between accuracy and precision and identify outliers in a set of data.
Preparation Tips
-use data collected by the Metric Mania team
-work with MM team to learn to use data collection tools: rulers, calculators, meter tapes, meter sticks, triple beam or electronic balances, beakers, Erlenmeyer flasks, graduated cylinders, thermometers. They should be familiar with the units used for these measurements, ex: use grams for mass, liters for liquid volume, meters for length/width, etc.
-examine all kinds of graphs- analyze the data and use the info to make data tables
Useful Links
https://www.nytimes.com/column/whats-going-on-in-this-graph useful graphs of all kinds to discuss
https://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/toc_vol11 lessons on all kinds of graphs
https://www.simplemost.com/use-lego-bricks-fun-way-teach-children-math/ using LEGO to teach math
https://bit.ly/2Idp7Lo using LEGO to teach mean/median/mode
Google image search “data table for kids” for lots of info students can graph
More links
https://www.kiwico.com/diy/Science-Projects-for-Kids/3/project/Mesmerizing-Mathematics/2959 Make a Galton board at home
Activities
Look at last year’s Data Crunchers test- which questions are likely to be DC, and which MM?
Use the tools at your table and the items up front to come up with a few questions/activities that could be part of the event. Collaborate/share with your tablemates. If you have a computer, go to the google drive folder below and enter your idea.