Carolina Investigations® for AP® Biology: Quantitative Analysis and Statistics Kit

Product Details
Develops quantitative skills through inquiry such as communicating scientific procedures and organizing data in charts, tables, and graphs. Offers practice in chi-square statistical analysis, t-test evaluation, and correlation coefficient for linear fits. This advanced kit, which reinforces data analysis, visualization, and statistical evaluation skills, is a great opener or end-of-year review for your AP® Biology class. The optional pre-lab inquiry, when students test a hypothesis during a demonstrated magic trick, emphasizes to students the value of statistics when applied to hypothesis testing. Next, students complete any or all 3 guided-inquiry-based activities to reinforce their understanding of Mendelian genetics, chi-square test for fit, and other concepts.

During the kit's guided-inquiry activities, students practice:

• Explaining the chi-square test for fit of genetic crosses of corn, which also reinforces Mendel's laws of inheritance
• Identifying trends through past and present hominids using students' own biometric measurements to calculate the mean, median, mode, and range of a sample, and calculate the standard error of the mean (SEM) for each sampled human population
• Applying a t-test to compare the mean and standard deviation of 2 sample populations to determine if a significant difference exists between them
• Evaluating the correlation of data sets using r values for statistical significance

Students also apply quantitative skills, such as:

• Organizing data and communicating scientific procedures and explanations as they use data tables, graphs, and charts
• Using evidence to develop explanations and make predictions
• Performing and using appropriate statistical analyses of data, including the application of chi-square statistical analysis, the t-test, and correlation coefficient for linear fits
• Determining mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and standard error of the mean (SEM)
• Incorporating digital tools to perform statistical analyses of data

This kit, in parts or in its entirety, will be an asset for your students as they prepare for success on the AP® Biology Exam. The kit also meets the expectation of quantitative literacy skills needed at the introductory college level in life science (for more information on helping students develop quantitative skills, consult AP® Biology Quantitative Skills: A Guide for Teachers, downloadable from http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/ap/AP_Bio_Quantitative_Skills_Guide-2ndPrinting_lkd.pdf). Kit includes enough materials for 8 groups of students.

Science Practice Connection
Science Practice 4: Representing and Describing Data and Science Practice 5: Statistical Tests and Data Analysis

Unit Connection
Unit 5, Topic 5.3 Mendelian Genetics

Digital Resources
Includes 1-year access to digital resources that support instruction. Digital resources may include a teacher’s manual and student guide, pre-lab activities and setup videos, simulations, and post-lab analysis and assessments.

Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills
Students should be familiar with Mendelian patterns of inheritance and use of basic algebraic equations.

AP® is a trademark registered and/or owned by the College Board®, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.