We cannot address data analysis without discussing how to represent data and communicate it clearly using graphs. Similar to the data analysis process, we usually tell students how to create a graph, but rarely let them try, and fail, to make an appropriate graph for themselves. This week, we’ll address how to teach students to make appropriate choices when it comes to creating graphs.

PhET simulations are ideal for gathering data that can be analyzed mathematically. The purpose of this blog is to identify and share a couple of PhET simulations that are ideal for science-math integration.

The power of PhET simulations is that they are fully interactive and designed to engage students from elementary to college in learning how various phenomena work. Since its founding in 2002, the types of simulations have grown to encompass all branches of science as well as math.

Data means graphs. Significant, relevant, real-world graphs. And yet, in most math courses, students only see the graphs they find in their textbooks. Years ago there were valid excuses for us using contrived graphs. That is not the case today.

Instead of perfecting our lectures and us being the active ones, we needed to switch things up and create activities for the students to do to engage them in the learning.