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Science · Grade 12

Environmental Data and Uncertainty

Learners design environmental sampling plans and use a sampling simulation to see how sample size and bias affect estimates. They separate random from systematic measurement error, summarise repeated measurements with standard deviation and standard error, extract trends from noisy time series with units, and test causal claims against confounding, reverse causation and study design. The course ends with reporting and comparing results as ranges, so that conclusions match the strength of the data.

  • 5 lessons
  • About 120 minutes
  • Data and uncertainty check: 11 questions
  • Ways to answer: choose an answer, estimate, draw a graph, highlight a text, match pairs and type a number
See plans Included with Family, Teacher and School plans. Open in PlayOwl

What learners will discover

  • Design a sampling plan (simple random, stratified, systematic) with replication, and explain how sample size and bias affect the accuracy of estimates.
  • Distinguish random from systematic measurement error, correct for calibration offsets, and summarise repeated measurements with mean, standard deviation and standard error.
  • Separate a long-term trend from seasonal cycles, noise and one-off events, and calculate a trend's rate of change with units from averaged data.
  • Distinguish correlation from causation by identifying confounding variables and reverse causation, and judge which study designs and evidence support causal claims.
  • Report results as estimates with uncertainty ranges and judge whether differences or trends are meaningful given those ranges.

Lessons

  1. Designing a sample 7 steps4 practiceabout 24 min
  2. Measurement error and spread 8 steps5 practiceabout 24 min
  3. Trend versus noise 8 steps5 practiceabout 25 min
  4. Correlation and causation 8 steps5 practiceabout 25 min
  5. Reporting with uncertainty 7 steps5 practiceabout 22 min
  6. Data and uncertainty check 11 questions at the end

Keep exploring

More 12th grade science

Guide for grown-ups