Lesson at a Glance | He Tirohanga Whakamua
Ngā Whāinga Ako | Learning Intentions
Students will know
- How to calculate reliable mean averages for each IV condition from raw trial data.
- How to spot an anomalous outlier (e.g. 14, 15, 3) and justify excluding it from mean calculations.
- The standard conventions for graphing continuous scientific data in Level 1 Science (SALT acronym: Scale, Axes, Labels + Units, Title).
Students will demonstrate
- By calculating processed means for all 5 IV conditions and plotting a scientific scatter/line graph.
- By completing Section 6 of their Level 1 Science Biological Investigation Logbook.
Curriculum alignment
- NZC (2007) · Science · Level 6 · Nature of Science: “Apply their understandings of science to evaluate both popular and scientific texts (including visual and numerical literacy).”
- NZC (2007) · Science · Level 6 · Nature of Science: “Use a wider range of science vocabulary, symbols, and conventions.”
Do Now | Tīmatanga Whakaaro (10 min)
Data Processing Prompt:
"Trial 1: 12 bubbles, Trial 2: 13 bubbles, Trial 3: 2 bubbles. What is the mean, and why is calculating (12+13+2)/3 = 9.0 incorrect science?"
Unpack: 2 is far from the other two readings, so it may be an anomaly — but you need a stated rule before excluding anything: a procedural fault recorded at the time (an air pocket, a timer error), or a reading outside an agreed range of the others. If the rule is met, cross it out, state the reason, and calculate the mean of the remaining trials: (12+13)/2 = 12.5 bubbles. If it is not, keep the reading, report the mean of 9.0, and repeat the trial.
The SALT Rule for NCEA Scientific Graphing (15 min)
📏 S — Scale
Equal intervals covering at least 50% of the graph grid. Do not use awkward scale multipliers (e.g. 3, 7, 9).
📈 A — Axes
Independent Variable on X-axis (horizontal). Dependent Variable mean on Y-axis (vertical).
🏷️ L — Labels & Units
Clear text labels on both axes with exact measurement units in parentheses (e.g. Distance from Lamp (cm)).
📌 T — Title
Descriptive title stating the relationship: "The effect of [IV] on the mean [DV] in [Organism]".
📁 Biological Investigation Logbook — Section 6: Processed Data & Graph
Students open their Level 1 Science Logbook and complete Section 6:
Section 6 Requirements:
1. Processed Data Table: Columns for IV level, Trial 1, Trial 2, Trial 3, Anomalies Excluded, and Calculated Mean (rounded to 1 decimal place).
2. Scientific Graph: Hand-drawn grid plot or digital chart following the SALT rule, with points accurately plotted and a line of best fit or point-to-point line.
3. Anomaly Statement: 1 sentence explaining any discarded outliers (or stating "No anomalies observed").
Exit Verification | Ka Mutu Hoki (5 min)
Exit Check:
"My Section 6 table contains calculated means for all 5 IV levels, and my graph includes full SALT labels ready for Lesson 7 conclusion writing."
Teacher Planning & NCEA Alignment
NCEA Level 1 Science Alignment:
- Data Processing: Process and represent raw data in an appropriate format (table of means and scientific graph).
- Graphing Conventions: Follow standard scientific graphing conventions (SALT rule, line of best fit / trend line).
Vocabulary: Processed mean, anomaly, outlier, SALT rule, scale, X-axis, Y-axis, trend line, data processing.
Other teaching approach: Guided Viewing & Practical Investigation →