Public Health Data Analysis
Created byAmy Gronewald
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Public Health Data Analysis

Grade 9Math1 days
The 'Public Health Data Analysis' project for 9th-grade math students focuses on using mathematical functions to analyze population data to detect public health trends. Students act as detectives solving public health mysteries by calculating rates of change from incomplete datasets and graphically interpreting these trends to influence community well-being and policy decisions. The project emphasizes critical skills like data analysis, interpretation, and coherent reporting, aligned with Common Core Standards, particularly the understanding of functions and rates of change. Through engaging activities, students develop a deeper understanding of how mathematical analysis can impact real-world public health issues.
Mathematical FunctionsPublic HealthData AnalysisPopulation TrendsRates of ChangeCommunity Well-BeingPolicy-Making
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we use mathematical functions to analyze population data and identify key public health trends, and how might these trends influence community well-being and policy-making?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What is a public health trend and why is it important to understand?
  • How can mathematical functions be used to analyze population data to identify health trends?
  • In what ways can understanding health trends impact community well-being and policy-making?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will comprehend what public health trends are and why they are significant.
  • Students will learn how to apply mathematical functions, like rates of change, to analyze population data effectively.
  • Students will understand the impact of health trends on community well-being and policy-making decisions.
  • Students will develop skills in interpreting and presenting data related to public health trends.

Common Core Standards

F.IF.6
Primary
Calculate and interpret the average rate of change of a function (presented symbolically or as a table) over a specified interval. Estimate the rate of change from a graph.Reason: This standard is directly aligned with the project as it involves calculating rates of change, which is essential for analyzing health trends using population data.
F.IF.4
Secondary
Interpret functions that arise in applications in terms of the context.Reason: This standard supports understanding functions in a real-world context, which is crucial for analyzing health trends through population data.
N.Q.2
Supporting
Define appropriate quantities for the purpose of descriptive modeling.Reason: Understanding quantities and their significance is key to analyzing data accurately in the context of public health trends.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Health Trends Detective Agency

Transform the classroom into a detective agency specializing in solving public health mysteries. Students receive a 'mystery file' containing incomplete data sets and clues, which they'll analyze using mathematical functions to uncover hidden health trends and propose innovative solutions.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Mystery File Function Finder

Students will analyze incomplete data sets from mystery files to identify key variables and trends, setting the foundation for mathematical function application.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review the mystery file contents and identify all given data points and variables.
2. Recognize types of data in terms of the function: linear, exponential, etc.
3. Discuss potential health trends that might be inferred from the data with peers.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityList of key variables and potential trends identified for function analysis.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsPrepares students to interpret functions in the context (F.IF.4) and defines quantities for descriptive modeling (N.Q.2).
Activity 2

Rate of Change Calculation Challenge

Students will calculate the average rate of change for the identified health trends using symbolic mathematical functions.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select a specific health trend from the mystery file data set.
2. Using the function format, calculate the rate of change over a specified interval.
3. Compare rates of change across different intervals to assess consistency in data.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA table of calculated average rates of change for selected health trends.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets the requirement of F.IF.6 by calculating and interpreting the average rate of change of a function.
Activity 3

Graphical Trend Estimator

Students will estimate and interpret rates of change graphically to better understand the trends.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Plot data points and trends on a graph to visualize relationships.
2. Estimate the rate of change using graphical representation.
3. Discuss how graphical representation compares with calculated rate of change results with classmates.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityGraphs illustrating data trends and visual estimations of the rate of change.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFulfills F.IF.6 by estimating the rate of change from a graph, enhancing understanding of graphical data analysis.
Activity 4

Public Health Trend Report

Students will compile their findings into a comprehensive report that outlines identified health trends, their calculations, and potential impacts on the community.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Prepare a draft report outlining key findings and their significance.
2. Use evidence from calculated rates of change and graphical interpretations to support claims.
3. Include a section on potential community impacts and policy recommendations.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed report on public health trends and their implications for policy and community well-being.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCombines all components of F.IF.6 and F.IF.4 in a real-world application, enhancing students' ability to interpret functions in context and present findings.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Public Health Trend Analysis Rubric

Category 1

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Assessment of students' ability to accurately analyze and interpret population data to identify variables and trends relevant to public health.
Criterion 1

Identification of Key Variables

Ability to identify and list key variables present in the data set that are crucial for function analysis and trend identification.

Exemplary
4 Points

Identifies all relevant variables with thorough understanding, demonstrating nuanced insights into their significance for function analysis.

Proficient
3 Points

Correctly identifies most significant variables with clear understanding of their general importance for function analysis.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some relevant variables but misses others, showing partial understanding of their importance in analysis.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify relevant variables, showing limited understanding of their role in function analysis.

Criterion 2

Interpretation of Health Trends

Evaluation of the student's ability to interpret potential health trends from the data and articulate their significance.

Exemplary
4 Points

Offers insightful interpretations of health trends, integrating evidence and demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of their significance.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides clear and logical interpretations of health trends with accompanying evidence, demonstrating strong understanding.

Developing
2 Points

Provides basic interpretations of health trends with some evidence, showing limited understanding of their significance.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to interpret health trends and lacks evidence to support claims, showing minimal understanding.

Category 2

Mathematical Calculations

Assessment of students' proficiency in calculating and interpreting rates of change.
Criterion 1

Accuracy of Rate Calculations

Ability to accurately calculate the average rate of change across different intervals using symbolic functions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Calculates rates of change accurately across all intervals with detailed verification and understanding of mathematical processes involved.

Proficient
3 Points

Calculates most rates of change accurately and shows a strong grasp of mathematical concepts.

Developing
2 Points

Calculates some rates accurately but with emerging understanding of the processes involved, leading to some errors.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with calculations, showing limited understanding of processes, resulting in frequent inaccuracies.

Category 3

Graphical Representation

Evaluation of students' ability to use graphs for estimating and visualizing data trends and rates of change.
Criterion 1

Graph Creation and Interpretation

Assessment of ability to create and interpret graphs that accurately depict data trends and support rate of change estimations.

Exemplary
4 Points

Creates detailed and accurate graphs that enhance understanding of data trends and provide clear rate estimations.

Proficient
3 Points

Produces clear and reasonably accurate graphs that effectively communicate main data trends.

Developing
2 Points

Produces graphs with basic accuracy, showing partial understanding of data visualization techniques.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to produce accurate graphs, limiting ability to visually interpret data.

Category 4

Communication and Reporting

Assessment of students' ability to communicate findings through comprehensive reports that integrate data analysis, mathematical calculations, and trend interpretations.
Criterion 1

Report Coherence and Clarity

Ability to produce a coherent report that articulates findings, supports claims with evidence, and discusses the implications of identified trends.

Exemplary
4 Points

Produces a highly coherent and clear report that thoroughly articulates findings, supported by strong evidence and insightful discussion of implications.

Proficient
3 Points

Produces a coherent report with clear articulation of findings and evidential support, adequately discussing implications.

Developing
2 Points

Produces a report with some coherence and clarity, providing basic evidential support and limited discussion of implications.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to produce a coherent report, lacking clear evidence and meaningful discussion of implications.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on your learning experience throughout this project on Public Health Trend Analysis. What are the key insights you gained about using mathematical functions to analyze population data?

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Question 2

How confident do you feel in applying mathematical functions to analyze real-world data after completing this project?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which part of the project did you find most challenging, and how did you overcome this challenge?

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Optional
Question 4

Reflect on how understanding public health trends can influence community well-being and policy-making. How has your perspective on this changed through the project?

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Required
Question 5

Which activity or step in the project did you find most engaging or enjoyable, and why?

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Optional
Question 6

Rate your overall satisfaction with the project in terms of its design, content, and relevance to real-world applications.

Scale
Required