high school statistics project ideas

high school statistics project ideas

Innovative High School Statistics Project Ideas

1. Introduction

University degrees in statistics become more and more popular. The demand for such specialists increases, so you start learning fundamentals of statistics in high school because you want to continue studying in the field. However, knowing a dove-tail joint does not mean one can actually drive. The most efficient method to gain the necessary practice is doing some statistics project that enhances theoretical knowledge and teaches something practical. Here is a list of interesting high school statistics project ideas that you will definitely find interesting.

2. Section 1: Descriptive Statistics Projects

1.1. Calculate the length of the world’s longest noodles (recorded as part of a festival in Japan in 2006), then determine how much pasta would be needed to produce a similar-length noodle. 1.2. Use baseball statistics to determine what type of hitter is likely to have the highest WPA (win percentage added). 1.3. Use data on box office revenue to determine which movies brought in the most and least revenue relative to their budgets. 1.4. Gather the top 10 song titles for any given week from the start of the company that supplies the data; describe what songs and artists make the lists and where and when they come from. 1.5. Determine which Western state is the best to live in based on a given set of parameters, which you can control. 1.6. Evaluate the claim that the best height for a women’s golf champion is 5 feet, 2 inches.

3. Section 2: Inferential Statistics Projects

When considering only a sample, a critical component of statistical analysis is the attempt to make inferences about the larger population. The larger population is often unknown. Therefore, we utilize the sample data to make inferences. This is the fundamental concept of inferential statistics. Students have the opportunity to explore inferential statistics in both project ideas for this section. These project ideas were developed for a high school student in a high school statistics class. However, parents, teachers, and students at all levels can utilize the project. The provided projects are designed for an individual student to complete a project in which they have an interest. These can be completed after a unit on a specific topic. They can use the depth of learning they have from the unit to design a data collection plan, analyze their data, and present their findings.

The following project ideas were developed for a high school student in a high school statistics class. However, parents, teachers, and students at all levels can utilize the project. The provided projects are designed for an individual student to complete a project in which they have an interest. These can be completed after a unit on a specific topic. Students should use the depth of learning they have from the unit to design a data collection plan, analyze their data, and present their findings.

4. Section 3: Data Visualization and Interpretation Projects

There are myriad student projects that involve the use of data to create visualizations for presentation to the class. Several possible resources may serve as valuable inspirations: data available from your textbook, data sets that can be found on the accompanying companion websites, library databases, government sources (local, state, and national), and data made available from online services. Given the formal techniques introduced in the course, students can effectively analyze the data and then appropriately construct visualizations.

For many statistics students, finding topics of interest for data visualization and interpretation projects is quite straightforward, especially if students use personal data sets. However, some students wish to work in new areas or appreciate suggestions to jumpstart brainstorming. To assist those students, we compiled a list of potential topics for their data visualization and interpretation projects. These suggestions for using statistics in the real world are categorized by demographic information, health, sports, the environment, and crime. Our hope is that this list generates discussion and motivates students to become independent data watchdogs in our society.

5. Section 4: Real-World Application Projects

One option is to survey students in the school to determine what art-related content can be added to old walls in the school. This is a project that can be given to the very young as a simple research project or to the advanced as a more intensive problem-solving project. There would be a mathematical component to this project that would help students think about the possibility of installing this art or not. It is also a way to have students participate in school management. So many students think poorly of administrators for walls they have to view in school. Students could contact artists or art companies to find the cost of installing art. This is seen as a real-world application because schools and school districts have budget categories that allow funds for school improvement at the discretion of the school.

Students learning statistics can get bored if the teachers focus too much on drilling problems. Presenting kids with statistics projects that have real-world applications can help capture their interest. Business, social studies, and even art are examples of areas that can make the application process interesting. In these projects, consider including directions on how to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, or whatever computer programs you wish to teach. The development of technical skills can only make the project better. Moreover, in a class full of projects, it shows the teacher where students may be having difficulty with the software. Then, the teacher can address the issue during class with a refresher.