1. Serving Through Statistics
Joshua B. Wilkerson
Navasota High School
CAMT 2012
Houston, TX

2. Serving Through Statistics
Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
Serving Through Statistics
Overview
Genesis of the Project
Implementation
Reflections
Resources
Q & A

3. Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
I. Overview

4. II. Genesis of the Project
Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
II. Genesis of the Project
The Previous “Spring Project”
The Concept of Service-Learning
Putting it into Practice

5. II.A. The Previous “Spring Project”
Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
II.A. The Previous “Spring Project”
Form a Hypothesis
Design a Study
Conduct the Study
Collect the Data
Describe the Data
Draw Conclusions from the Data

6. II.A. The Previous “Spring Project”
Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
II.A. The Previous “Spring Project”
Problems…
Didn’t reflect the students’ best work (as compared with their fall projects)
Lack of motivation
Similarity to science fair projects
Typically not very meaningful or memorable
Solution…
A meaningful project in which the students have a vested interest

7. II.B. The Concept of Service-Learning
Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
II.B. The Concept of Service-Learning
Service-Learning connects service to the community with academically-based learning.

8. II.C. Putting it into Practice
Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
II.C. Putting it into Practice
National Service-Learning Clearinghouse
Mathematics Resources
Introduction to Statistics Syllabus
Mark C. Hampton, University of Utah, 1995
Service component options include working with a non-profit service agency which requires survey research for program evaluation or client needs assessment

9. Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
III. Implementation
The Idea
Student Organization
The Proposal
The Process Unfolding
Outside Consultants
Final Presentation and Publication
Grading

10. Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
III.A. The Idea
Teacher:
How can we apply the concepts learned in AP Statistics to benefit our local community/service agencies?
My Students:
Was Grimes County as effective at meeting the needs of wildfire victims as compared to volunteer organizations? What kind of help was given and how effective was it?
The key here is that students have freedom in choosing the topic they address

11. III.B. Student Organization
Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
III.B. Student Organization
Service Agency
Component Committee
Project Managers
The teacher acts as a consulting facilitator outside of the direct chain of command
The student’s ultimate obligation is not to the teacher for a grade, but to produce meaningful data for the service agency

12. III.B. Student Organization
Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
III.B. Student Organization
Service Agency
Competing Student Group
Teacher
An Alternate Model
Here students “compete” in groups with each giving a proposal for consideration. The teacher could be removed from this process as well, but will play an important role in organizing the proposals. The most appropriate model of organization will depend on the scope of the project.

13. Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
III.C. The Proposal
What?
A complete and succinct statement on the question that is to be answered
Why?
Students write out an argument for why the answer to the posed question is important
How?
Plan of action: developing a survey instrument, conducting survey, compiling and describing data, and analyzing data
When?
Proposed calendar with deadlines for each phase

14. III.D. The Process Unfolding
Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
III.D. The Process Unfolding
Developing Committees
Gathering a Population
Developing and Piloting a Survey
Administering Survey/Gathering Data
Describing and Analyzing Data
Presentation of Results (details to come)
Weekly Manager Meetings

15. III.E. Outside Consultants
Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
III.E. Outside Consultants
Dr. Jamis Perrett
Assistant Professor
Department of Statistics
Texas A&M University
Specialty: Experimental Design/AP Curriculum
Dr. Laura Stough
Associate Professor
Department of Educational Psychology
Specialty: Disaster Research
One consultant in statistics, one in the specific field to which the project relates

16. III.F. Final Presentation and Publication
Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
III.F. Final Presentation and Publication

17. Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
III.G. Grading
Student Self Evaluation (20%)
More than just a statement on the grade they think they should get
Analysis on contributions with evidence and reflection on individual/group dynamic
Project Manager Evaluation (30%)
Written Summative Report (50%)
(Optional: Evaluations from Service Agency)
Option to include self evaluations and manager evaluations at the midway point as well

18. Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
IV. Reflections
What Went Well and Why
What Could be Improved and How
Keys to Success
Branching Out

19. IV.A. What Went Well and Why
Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
IV.A. What Went Well and Why
Student Interest was Piqued
Topic was personal and chosen by students
Professionalism was Improved
Comfort levels were stretched through community interaction and survey
Importance of Statistics was Cemented
Real life scenario with real people
The “Aha Moment” was Achieved
Deep connections were drawn from course material to project implementation

20. IV.B. What Could be Improved and How
Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
IV.B. What Could be Improved and How
Equal Involvement
Grading Incrementally
Modification of Group Structures
Stricter Deadline Enforcement at the Intermediate Levels
Completion through Proposal Phase in Fall

21. Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
IV.C. Keys to Success
The Power of Choice
Vested interest in the topic
Keeping it Local
Meaningful application
Commitment to Public Presentation
Obligation is to the community, not just a grade
Required Reflection Beyond Calculations
Students chose the topic so they have to defend why it matters

22. Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
IV.D. Branching Out
Geometry
Architectural Design (for Service Organization)
Algebra II/Pre-Cal
Modeling (for Service Organization)
Calculus
Optimization (for Service Organization)

23. Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
V. Resources
Mathematics Resources Page for the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse
Issue of PRIMUS Dedicated to Successful Service Learning Resources
ASA Student Project Competition
Complete Description of This Specific Project with Links to Student Publication

24. Serving Through Statistics CAMT 2012
VI. Q & A