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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

M&Ms- Are They Created Equal?

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M&M’s - Are They Created Equal?

A 6th grade STEM lesson

Angela Molina

July 28, 2023

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Notes for teachers

This lesson takes place in a classroom for one or more hours. Can be spread over 2 class periods.

Students may work in small groups of 2-3.

Introduce caliper use if needed.

Facilitate student discussion/ reflection throughout the lesson.

List of Materials

  • Assorted M&Ms
  • Calipers
  • Paper/Pencil
  • Slate/Marker
  • Chromebook

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Standards

Math

6.SP.2 Understand that a set of data collected to answer a statistical question has a distribution whose general characteristics can be described by its center, spread, and overall shape.

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Mathematical Practices

MP.4 Model with mathematics.

MP.5 Use appropriate tools strategically.

MP.6 Attend to precision.

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Standards

Technology

6-8.1.c. Students integrate feedback from people and digital tools to improve their learning process, and they select technology to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.

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Computer Science Standards

5.4 Interpret and construct mathematical formulas

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Objectives:

Today I will find the diameter of M&Ms and enter it into a class spreadsheet.

Today I will find the mean diameter of my groups M&Ms.

Today I will explain in my own words how I found the mean of my data set.

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Agenda (60 Minutes)

Quick Write

Data Collection

Enter Group Data

Data Review and Attributes

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Quick Write

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Mean

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Exit Ticket

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How does the diameter of M&M’s vary? What is the mean diameter of M&Ms?

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Quick Write

Think about similarities and differences.

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  • Are all of our M&Ms the same size?
  • Does the color matter?
  • Does the type matter?

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Data Collection Activity

1. Collect data from your M&Ms regarding the color, type, diameter, and/ or mass of them.

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2. Enter information into group dataset M&M Data

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3. Start sketching some graphs to answer at least one of our questions.

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Challenge Questions

  1. Are all of our M&Ms the same size?
  2. Does the color matter?
  3. Does the type matter?
  4. How does the mass of M&Ms vary with the diameter?

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Data Review and Attributes

M&M Data

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Quick Write- What do you notice? What do you wonder? What is the mean diameter of M&Ms?

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What is the mean diameter of M&Ms?

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Exit Ticket

  1. How does the diameter of M&M’s vary?

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2. What is the mean diameter of M&Ms? Explain how you found the mean of your data set.

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Differentiation

One way to differentiate in this lesson is to provide some students with additional examples.

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Another option could be to provide students with a peer tutor. This could be strategic when groups are being formed.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Students may write a letter to the candy factory explaining their findings and asking any questions that they may have.

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Students that are successful can peer tutor another classmate.