Integrating Mathematics and Science

Benefits of IntegrationIntegrates content and skills from multiple content areas into one cohesive learning experience.1

Advantages for students2:•Experience content as connected and interrelated

•Connect prior knowledge to what they are currently learning, makes learning more relevant•Promotes more active student engagement•Promotes higher-level thinking and collaborative skills

ContentQ.7. Calculate and use mean, median, mode, and weighted average.

SP.3. Reasoning from data

SP.5. Working with findings

SP.8. Probability and statistics

Measures of Central Tendency3

Measures of Central Tendency3

Measures of Central Tendency3

Measures of Central Tendency3

Measures of Central Tendency3

Measures of Central Tendency3

What will happen to the measures of central tendency if we add the same amount to all data values, or multiply each data value by the same amount?

Using Science and Math4

Examining the ClaimsThe claim:

• Voice Over: “Do you have too much body fat? It tends to accumulate on your stomach, hips, and thighs. Body fat is unattractive and extremely hard to get rid of.”

Critical thinking:

• Is the statement that body fat is unattractive a scientific fact or an opinion?

Examining the ClaimsThe claim:• Voice Over: “Body fat

builds over our midsection, on top of the muscle under the skin, and over the years, it gets worse. Body fat increases due to having kids, stress at work, lack of exercise, and poor diet.”

Critical thinking:• Is it scientifically proven that

stress causes weight gain?

• What is the source for these claims?

Examining the ClaimsThe claim:• Woman: “The Obesity

Research Institute has found the solution. It’s called Lipozene. Lipozene is clinically proven to help reduce your body fat and weight. And to raise awareness about this weight loss breakthrough, the company is letting people try Lipozene risk free for thirty days.”

[Fine print on screen: Average of 3.86 lbs of fat loss over an 8 week university study]

Critical thinking:• The commercial mentions the

Obesity Research Institute, but doesn’t say what it is. Do an internet search for the company and see if it reveals anything interesting. Does it seem like this institute would be unbiased in their study of Lipozene?

Examining the ClaimsThe claim:• Voice Over: “Lipozene is so

powerful that it’s clinically proven to help you lose pure body fat. In fact, a recent major university double blind study showed that not only did participants lose weight, but that 78% of each pound lost was pure body fat.”

[Fine print on screen: Dramatization, Average of 3.86 lbs of fat loss over an 8 week university study]

Critical thinking:• Look at the clinical study

that the commercial references. What are some things that aren’t accurate in the commercial?

Examining the ClaimsThe claim:• Voice Over: “Lipozene is so

powerful that it’s clinically proven to help you lose pure body fat. In fact, a recent major university double blind study showed that not only did participants lose weight, but that 78% of each pound lost was pure body fat.”

[Fine print on screen: Dramatization, Average of 3.86 lbs of fat loss over an 8 week university study]

Critical thinking:• How many people were

studied? Does this seem like a reasonable sample size?

Examining the ClaimsThe claim:• Voice Over: “Lipozene is so

powerful that it’s clinically proven to help you lose pure body fat. In fact, a recent major university double blind study showed that not only did participants lose weight, but that 78% of each pound lost was pure body fat.”

[Fine print on screen: Dramatization, Average of 3.86 lbs of fat loss over an 8 week university study]

Critical thinking:• Does the dramatization that

they show accurately represent the weight loss that the average participant in the study experienced?

Examining the ClaimsThe claim:• Woman: “What’s even more

amazing is that people were not asked to change their daily lives. It’s so easy. Just take Lipozene. That’s it. If you’re ready to get rid of pounds of body fat, then call the number on your screen right now. Lipozene is worth the price because Lipozene is clinically proven to work.”

[Fine print on screen: Individual results vary. Diet and exercise are advised.]

Critical thinking:• Why does the website put the

fine print statements at the bottom of the screen?

Examining the ClaimsThe claim:• Woman: “What’s even more

amazing is that people were not asked to change their daily lives. It’s so easy. Just take Lipozene. That’s it. If you’re ready to get rid of pounds of body fat, then call the number on your screen right now. Lipozene is worth the price because Lipozene is clinically proven to work.”

[Fine print on screen: Individual results vary. Diet and exercise are advised.]

Critical thinking:• Who awarded the “product of

excellence” ribbon shown at the end to Lipozene?

Application

Now it’s your turn!

Section Resources1Virginia Deparment of Education. “Cross-Curricular Instruction.”

Accessed August 16, 2013. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/cross-curricular_instruction

2Houghton Mifflin Company ©1997. “Values and Benefits of Interdisciplinary/Cross-Curricular Teaching.” Accessed August 16, 2013. http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/res/literacy/interd1.html

3Schultzke, Lisa. 1998. “Measure of Central Tendency.” Accessed August 16, 2013. http://www.regentsprep.org/Regents/math/ALGEBRA/AD2/measure.htm

4YouTube. “Lipozene.” Accessed August 16, 2013. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5pkH478LBo