At the end of a rainbow lies a pot of gold. When Finnegan took us there we found sparkling gold coins. Those coins intrigued us. We began flipping them and noticed sometimes they landed on heads-sometimes on tails. Finnegan had us record our flips. He told us we were collecting data. We were fascinated with Collecting data allows students to experience what is to be a scientist. By examining it and then interpreting it, students work at a much higher level than merely reading about it.

We designed this section of our site with the above in mind. There are online activities for students to examine (and yes, adults can play too) as well as ideas and activities for teachers to use in their classrooms. We hope you'll enjoy these projects.

Introductory Lessons

• How to Collect Data
  There's an art to collecting data. Spend a few minutes reviewing with Finnegan how to go about getting your data.
• What to Do with Data
  Graphing is an excellent way to organize your data so you see quickly what your data are doing.
• Interpret Data
  What are your data trying to show you?

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Data are pieces of ____?
fruit
information

Hazel Jobe, Karen Walkowiak, Robert Owens
©March 1999