Design a Survey and Analyze Data
Create a survey question, collect responses from family and neighbors, and present findings with graphs and statistics. Real data science from start to finish.
What You'll Need
- 1Paper and pencils for survey forms
- 2Graph paper or poster board for charts
- 3Colored markers or pencils
- 4Ruler
- 5Calculator
What You'll Need
Paper and pencils for survey forms
Graph paper or poster board for charts
Colored markers
A ruler and calculator
How to Play
Choose a question: favorite season, screen time hours, cats vs. dogs.
Design a survey form with the question and response options.
Collect 15-20 responses from family, neighbors, or classmates.
Tally results. Count each option.
Create a bar graph or pie chart.
Calculate percentages: "8 out of 20 = 40%."
Write a summary of findings.
Why It Works
This activity walks through the entire data science pipeline: formulate a question, design data collection, gather data, analyze it, visualize it, and communicate findings. These are the exact steps used by scientists, pollsters, marketers, and analysts. Your child owns the entire process, from the question they choose to the conclusions they draw.
Tips
The question matters. Choose something people have genuine opinions about — it makes data collection more engaging.
15-20 responses is the minimum for meaningful results. More is better.
Discuss bias: "If we only ask family, might our results be different from asking the whole school?" This introduces sampling.
Pie charts are great for comparing parts of a whole. Bar graphs are better for comparing categories.
For advanced kids, calculate the "mean" for numerical data: "Average screen time was 2.3 hours." This introduces measures of central tendency.
Present findings to the family. Communication is the final step of data science.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 60 min, with 10 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: paper and pencils for survey forms, graph paper or poster board for charts, colored markers or pencils, ruler, calculator.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 8-12 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors or outdoors?
This activity works great both indoors and outdoors, giving you flexibility based on the weather or your space.
How difficult is this activity?
This is a more challenging activity that may require advance preparation, special materials, or closer supervision. The extra effort is worth it for the learning experience!
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