DC1 - Glossary

Anomalies

An anomaly is something different from the norm.

Average

"Average" refers to the arithmetic mean, the sum of the numbers divided by how many numbers are being averaged.

Bar Graph

A bar chart or bar graph is a chart or graph that presents categorical data with rectangular bars with heights or lengths proportional to the values that they represent. The bars can be plotted vertically or horizontally. A vertical bar chart is sometimes called a column chart. 

Box Plot

A box plot is constructed of two parts, a box and a set of whiskers The lowest point is the minimum of the data set and the highest point is the maximum of the data set. The box is drawn from Q1 to Q3 with a line drawn in the middle to denote the median.

Cause and Effect

In essence, cause is the thing that makes other things happen. Effect refers to what results.

Clients

In a design project, we often call the user of the product or process being designed for the client.

Control

In an experiment or test, the control or control group means the individuals or products that you do nothing new to so that you have data to compare with the group where you try something new.

Criteria and Constraints

Criteria are the features you will use to determine if the project was successful. Constraints are limits on the design project. Criteria Examples: 

1) The sport will be enjoyable for the physically challenged students AND non-challenged students. 

2) Modified equipment is reusable and durable. 

Constraint Examples: 1) Solution must be turned in by final bell on November 15th. 2) Only materials provided in the classroom may be used in the solution.

Crosscutting Concepts

Crosscutting Concepts help students explore connections across the four domains of science, including Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering Design. Learn More at NGSS Appendix G: Cross-Cutting Concepts

Data

Data is the information gathered in order to better understand a process or phenomena.

Data Literacy

Data literacy is the ability to read, understand, create, and communicate data as information. Much like literacy as a general concept, data literacy focuses on the competencies involved in working with data. Learn more at Data Literacy

Dependent and independent variable

The two main variables in an experiment are the independent and dependent variable. An independent variable is the variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable. A dependent variable is the variable being tested and measured in a scientific experiment.

Learn more at What is the Difference Between Independent and Dependent Variables? 

Independent and Dependent Variable Examples: 

In a study to determine whether how long a student sleeps affects test scores, the independent variable is the length of time spent sleeping while the dependent variable is the test score.

Disciplinary core ideas

The fundamental ideas that are necessary for understanding a given science discipline. The core ideas all have broad importance within or across science or engineering disciplines, provide a key tool for understanding or investigating complex ideas and solving problems, relate to societal or personal concerns, and can be taught over multiple grade levels at progressive levels of depth and complexity. Source: NGSS Glossary. 

Engineering

Engineering is the application of science and math to solve problems. Engineers figure out how things work and find practical uses for scientific discoveries. Learn More.

Fair test

A fair test in an investigation where one variable (the independent variable) is changed and all other conditions (controlled variables) are kept the same and can be replicated by others.

Histogram

A histogram is a graphical display of data using bars of different heights. In a histogram, each bar groups numbers into ranges. Taller bars show that more data falls in that range. A histogram displays the shape and spread of continuous sample data. Learn more. 

HLPA

High, Low, Pattern, Anomaly (HLPA). When looking at a set of data, the highest and lowest value are used a descriptive tools, along with any patterns that appear and any unusual breaks in the patterns that describe anomalies.

Interval

Interval data, also called an integer, is defined as a data type which is measured along a scale, in which each point is placed at equal distance from one another. Interval data always appears in the form of numbers or numerical values where the distance between the two points is standardized and equal.

Iteration

The iterative process is an approach that designers, developers, educators, and others use to continually improve a design or product. People create a prototype and test it, then tweak and test the revised prototype, and repeat this cycle until they reach a solution.

Line graph

Line graphs can be used to show how something changes over time. They have an x-axis (horizontal) and a y-axis (vertical). Usually, the x-axis has numbers for the time period, and the y-axis has numbers for what is being measured. Line graphs can be used when you're plotting data that has peaks (ups) and valleys (downs), or that was collected in a short time period.

Linear and Nonlinear

The equation of a linear function has no exponents higher than 1, and the graph of a linear function is a straight line. The equation of a non-linear function has at least one exponent higher than 1, and the graph of a nonlinear function is a curved line.

For more information see this Khan Academy Video

Macroscopic patterns

Macroscopic patterns are related to the nature of the microscopic and atomic-level structure. Graphs, charts, and images can be used to identify patterns in data.

Mean

Mean is just another name for average. To find the mean of a data set, add all the values together and divide by the number of values in the set. The result is your mean! Learn more. 

Median

The median of a data set is the number that is the middle value of the set. It's easy to find the median if you first put the numbers in order from least to greatest. Learn more. 

NGSS

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards. Standards set the expectations for what students should know and be able to do. The NGSS were developed by states to improve science education for all students. Learn more at NGSS. 

Nominal

Nominal data is defined as data that is used for naming or labelling variables, without any quantitative value. It is sometimes called “named” data - a meaning coined from the word nominal. Learn more. 

Ordinal

Ordinal data is a type of categorical data with an order. The variables in ordinal data are listed in an ordered manner. The ordinal variables are usually numbered, so as to indicate the order of the list. However, the numbers are not mathematically measured or determined but are merely assigned as labels for opinions. Learn more. 

Patterns

A repeated shape, event, or way something was done.

Pie chart

A pie chart is a type of graph in which a circle is divided into sectors that each represent a proportion of the whole. You may want to view the Khan Academy lessons on reading and creating pie charts at the links given: Learn more. 

Proportion

Proportional relationships are relationships between two variables where their ratios are equivalent. Another way to think about them is that, in a proportional relationship, one variable is always a constant value time the other. That constant is known as the "constant of proportionality". Learn more. 

Prototyping

A prototype is a simple experimental model of a proposed solution used to test or validate ideas, design assumptions, and other aspects of its conceptualization quickly and cheaply, so that the designer/s involved can make appropriate refinements or possible changes in direction. Learn more. 

Qualitative

Qualitative data describes qualities or characteristics. It is collected using questionnaires, interviews, or observation, and frequently appears in narrative form. Learn more. 

Quantitative

Quantitative data is used when a researcher is trying to quantify a problem, or address the "what" or "how many" aspects of a research question. It is data that can either be counted or compared on a numeric scale. Learn more. 

Quantity

The amount or number associated with an entity or compared to a numerical scale

Range

The distance between the highest and lowest member of a group. Learn more. 

Relationships

The connections between 2 or more things

Research question

A research question is an answerable inquiry into a specific concern or issue. It is the initial step in a research project. The "initial step" means after you have an idea of what you want to study, the research question is the first active step in the research project. Learn more. 

Scale

A scale is a set of numbers that helps to measure or quantify objects. A scale on the graph shows the way the numbers or pictures are used in the data. Learn more. 

Scatterplot

The scatter diagram graphs pairs of numerical data, with one variable on each axis, to look for a relationship between them. If the variables are correlated, the points will fall along a line or curve. The better the correlation, the tighter the points will hug the line. This cause analysis tool is considered one of the seven basic quality tools. Learn more. 

Science and Engineering Practices

Science and Engineering Practices describe what scientists do to investigate the natural world and what engineers do to design and build systems. The practices better explain and extend what is meant by “inquiry” in science and the range of cognitive, social, and physical practices that it requires. Students engage in practices to build, deepen, and apply their knowledge of core ideas and crosscutting concepts. Learn more. 

Significant features

Characteristics that stand out as different from the rest.

Solution

Finding a solution to a problem involves constructing a course of action that will transform your current situation into one where your objective has been achieved. Learn more. 

Stability and change

All systems are characterized by stability and change. Systems are stable when all of the inputs and outputs are in balance so that internal processes can continue at a steady state. Change occurs when the inputs and outputs are not in balance so that internal processes are also changing. Change may also occur when feedback, a connection between the outputs and the inputs, causes further change. Learn more. 

STEM

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM is important because it pervades every part of our lives. Science is everywhere in the world around us. Technology is continuously expanding into every aspect of our lives. Engineering is the basic designs of roads and bridges, but also tackles the challenges of changing global weather and environmentally-friendly changes to our home. Mathematics is in every occupation, every activity we do in our lives. By exposing students to STEM and giving them opportunities to explore STEM-related concepts, they will develop a passion for it and hopefully pursue a job in a STEM field. Learn more. 

System Models

System models emphasize component interaction, particularly with regard to information flow, and clearly show the overall organization. Learn more. 

Systems

A system is a group of interacting or interrelated entities that form a unified whole. A system is described by its spatial and temporal boundaries, surrounded and influenced by its environment, described by its structure and purpose and expressed in its functioning. Learn More. 

Temporal and spatial relationships

Spatial relationships indicate physical position, such as above, below or inside. Temporal relationships, on the other hand, indicate sequence, logic and time, such as secondly, hourly or before lunchtime. Learn More. 

Three-Dimensions of Science

Within the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), there are three distinct and equally important dimensions to learning science. These dimensions are combined to form each standard—or performance expectation—and each dimension works with the other two to help students build a cohesive understanding of science over time.

https://www.nextgenscience.org/three-dimensions

Trends

A general direction the data is/are going. 

Variance

The variance (σ2) is a measure of how far each value in the data set is from the mean. Here is how it is defined: Subtract the mean from each value in the data. This gives you a measure of the distance of each value from the mean. Learn more.