Q9 Changes Over Time

Introduction

Students have access to lots of data that changes over time.  Understanding what this data tells us is important as it can help us make decisions about things like where we live, career choices, and the world around us.  In this Quest you will be learning about how data is collected about the state you live in as well as other states in the US; the increasing or decreasing populations in certain states; where most people live in the US; and how to interpret graphic representations of data that may inform things such as career choices.

I Can Statements

• analyze data and interpret changes over time
• use spreadsheets, charts and visual representations as tools to help organize and evaluate data
• create, organize, analyze and share representations of data in a spreadsheet, chart, graph, and data plot formats with my teacher and classmates

Key Vocabulary

Census: Census is the official count or survey of a population.

Findings: A Findings are conclusions reached after examination or investigation.

Inference: Inference is an idea or conclusion about something from known facts (evidence) and reasoning. An inference is also called an "educated guess."

Line graph: A line graph is a graph that uses one or more lines to show changes in statistics over time or space.

Statistics: Statistics is the collection and classification of data that are in the form of numbers. An example: Statistics are commonly used with sports, such as "runs batted in" (RBI) that help us predict things such as how likely a batter is to get a hit.

There are some additional activities available after step 5 of this Quest. Check with your teacher about these options.

Steps

1. What is a census? Learn about the Census Bureau and how it is a leading go-to source of statistical information, and how it was created to address the U.S. Constitution.

• Optional: To learn more you can visit the Census Bureau 101 for Students website.

2. If you live in the U.S. visit the U.S Census: State Facts for Students. You can click any other state in the map to get state facts and statistics.

• If you live in a different country, we encourage you to pick a U.S. state for this activity, and also locate the statistics for your country or area, and search for data across different years that can show change.
  • Canada Census fact sheets
  • Use the World Factbook listing facts about most of the countries around the world

3. Making inferences based on data is an important skill used in many jobs.

• Copy or download this 13.Q9 Changes Over Time Student Activity to explore the Census Data more deeply.
  • You will use this Student Activity document to answer challenge questions about population change in Michigan, how people get to work, and how stores changed.
• The image below is a screenshot of the Michigan population from the Census document as an example of answering questions using data.

Question: What changes do you observe about the population's median age? How has it changed over the two time periods?

• Example observations: The Median age of the Michigan population increased from 38.9 years to 39.9 years from 2010 to 2019.
  The state's population increased by approximately 100,000 people between 2010 and 2019.
  
  
• Check with your teacher to see if you can work with a partner or small group on the next activities.

  I have completed the activities identified by my teacher.

 Continue to Quest 10 Sort It Out