Data collection
This list of resources is suitable for all of KS3 as there are lots of differentiated ideas. This unit of work could take three plus lessons. It would depend on how long you wanted to spend on using the CIMT resources - Unit 11, third item. This unit can also be extended by how long you spend on the Helicopter task - this could take 1-2 lessons. I would suggest using the list in the order written as the Helicopter task is a lovely way to round off the data collection work.
Handling Data 1
Choose unit 1, sections A, B & C for resources on data collection and questionnaires.
Data Collection and Presentation
This resource is really a whole unit of work in itself. The first file, Data collection and presentation contains note, examples and questions on collecting and presenting data. In the Activity file, activities 11.1 and 11.2 would make interesting class activities, perhaps as plenaries. Activity 11.1 is making a class database of information and then you can decide what to do with all the information. Activity 11.2 is about a car park layout. There is a fully differentiated route map, teaching notes, solutions, lesson plans and mental tests.
Helicopter Seeds
Excellent hands-on activity for pupils to be involved in real data collection. Pupils have to first obtain the control data for their 'helicopter' and then change 1 parameter and re-collect the data to analyse what effect, if any, their change has had on the performance of the helicopter. Pupils can work in groups, with different groups changing different parameters. Pupils can work towards designing the best helicopter in the class. This is best done after lessons on calculating mean, median and range.
