Scimatics

Correlation vs Causation

faiths Science , ,

 

This scimatics project was called correlation vs causation.  The driving question was “how are correlation and causation different”? In order to answer this question, we took many steps including creating our final product which was two correlation and causation graphs that we presented to the class last week. 

We started off with a start mind map. Below you can see photos of the start mind map along with the end mind map. 

 

Start mind map

End mind map

 

Next my partner and I came up with over 10 survey questions the questions we asked on our survey were. 

Then with those questions and the peer critique we got from them we put the questions in a survey using google forms. Then we sent out the link to Basecamp and all the plp 9 group chats we had. While we waited for enough responses to come in we did other peoples surveys.

Clare and I got 23 responses to our survey and with that data we were able to put them in a chart with a graph attached in order to find out which two questions had correlation. Originally we thought that being an introvert or extrovert would correlate with what job you wanted to do in the future but with our data there was no correlation between those two areas.

We then changed our focus to the questions about how comfortable people are around other people with how comfortable you are then speaking your mind. Our second correlation was about how comfortable you were speaking your mind and how much screen time a person had on the average in a day.

We not only found correlation with our first graph but also causation. The more comfortable you are around people the more comfortable you are in speaking your mind. Unlike the first graph, we did not find causation in the second graph. 

Finally Clare and I presented in front of the class in a key note presentation. I think our key note slides were good because we didn’t put paragraphs instead we had bullet points that highlighted what we said. Our presentation skills were not as strong as our slides. We kept reading off of our iPads and did not look up at the audience. I feel like I could speak more clearly and confidently in the future.

Curricular competencies 

 Planning and Conducting: select and use appropriate equipment including digital technologies to systematically and accurately collect and record data.

I achieved an accomplished in this competency. I conducted a survey through google forms and found two correlations using the survey results. I used Numbers app to create the graphs and I used the keynote to present my results to the class. One graph was a weak positive correlation while the other was a weak negative correlation. Clare and I were not able to find a strong correlation with the data we collected.

Communicating and Representing: use mathematical vocabulary and language to contribute to mathematical discussions.

I achieved an extending in this competency as I used mathematical verbal and pictorial explanations that helped the class understand the data. Clare and I were able to successfully explain how one of the graphs had both causation and correlation while the other one did not have causation. We showed the difference between correlation and causation and how correlation is sometimes falsely associated with causation. We used a funny cartoon to help make our point. 

Applying and Innovating: contribute to care for self, others, community, and world through collaborative approaches.

I achieved an accomplished on this competency by conducting good, ethical surveys, using my class time efficiently, and being partners with Clare. First of all we made the survey anonymous so people feel more comfortable being honest in the survey. Then Clare and I used our class time well and went to LAC as needed. We met early a couple mornings to work on our project and we would FaceTime to create our graphs and prepare for the presentation. One time she was in a meeting and I did not post the survey until she had read it over and we talked about it. We both can give our opinions and if we disagree we compromise or ask for a third person’s opinion.

It was challenging to find correlations. I did not think it would be too hard but as we read the data our original ideas did not correlate. I learned that the questions I ask are important to ask well and that you need be open to look for other correlations and other factors. Presenting is also hard for me. Clare and I made good slides but we were very nervous and did not speak clearly. It would be interesting to conduct more surveys in the future to see what else I could learn. 

The ultimate design challenge!

faiths Science , ,

This project was all about calculating the surface area and volume of 3D shapes. Our driving question is “How can we design an object to optimize its shape?”. To answer the driving question we had to create 3D shapes in groups from 1-3 people then we had to create one or more 3D shapes on an app called Tinkercad. The object (or objects) had to be created to optimize surface area or volume. After we designed our objects they were supposed to be printed out in the school 3D printer which we were sadly unable to do. 

With a group of two of my classmates Clare and Jocelyn, we created three objects of our choice that we all decided  would be a famous European architecture. 

 

The London Bridge (mine)

The leaning tower of Pisa (Jocelyn)

Big Ben (Clare)

I won’t mention all the milestones but here are the two I think most important ones. Milestone 2 was the milestone where we had to create our 3D shapes in Tinkercad. This was hard because we had to first learn how the use the app then needed to find a way to create our 3D shape. I had a lot of trouble because I kept getting kicked out of the app. In the end I was able to use that app to creat a pretty good replica of the London Bridge. 

Milestone 3 was also important as that was when we had to hand in all the calculations. We had to find the surface area and volume of all the shapes  to find the totals for the whole 3D object including the ratio of surface area to volume.  

Curricular competencies 

Applying and innovating: contribute to care for self, others, community, and world through personal or collaborative approaches.

I showed this competency not only when I used most of my class time well but
also when I helped my group and when they helped me. I helped my group a little in the building of our models, I also helped in the creation of the slideshow that we presented to our class. My group members helped me with the creation of my own 3D bridge.  

Reasoning and Analyzing: Model mathematics in contextualized experiences.

I showed this curricular competency when I found shapes within my 3D model. I had to figure out what some of the more difficult shapes were especially the tunnel under the bridge. I decided that it was a half cylinder that was going through the rectangular prism. In order to get the right volume and surface area of the rectangular prisms I had to minus the volume and add the surface area. My whole object together has more volume then surface area, with a 1.5:1 ratio.

 

Communicating and representing: Explain and justify mathematical ideas and decisions

I showed communicating and representing when I calculated, measured, and found the ratio of volume to surface area (1.5:1) of my 3D object. To do that I had to find the volume and surface area of all my shapes. I had to find a formula for each type of shape then I had to find all the heights, lengths, and other things like that. I also showed this competency when my group and I presented all of this information in class. We didn’t go into as much detail  about our calculations  in thePresentations as was required for the project. 

 

In the end I was able to answer the driving question “How can we design an object to optimize its shape?”. we can design an object in Tinkercad and move and change shapes to optimize its volume or surface area. The hardest part of this project was all the calculations they all had several hard steps just to find the volume/surface area. Even though I wish it could have been 3D printed, I am very proud of all the shapes my group and I made.