The Road to the Olympics

A Web Quest Activity for Middle School Mathematics

INTRODUCTION:

The student of data analysis and interpretation is known as Statistics. Mathematics and more in depth Statistics are used everyday by people striving to promote and publicize the best athletes in America. These people are sports reporters, writers and agents who use these statistical techniques everyday to analyze the athletes their daily performance and predict their future performances. An athlete’s statistics are viewed as a source of higher contract negotiations and a paved road to future fame.

TASK:

Your task is to choose three athletes from any walk of life (Example: Basketball, Baseball, Gymnastics, Swimming, etc.) and analyze their statistical performance over the past 4 years. After analyzing this data become either an agent for the athlete or a sports reporter and argue why the athlete should or should not be invited to the next Olympic Games.

RESOURCES:

To find statistics on your athlete, check out the following sites:

· ESPN

· Sports Almanac

· Yahoo! Sports

· Match up Sports

· USA Today

· The Sports Data Page

You may also use any resource in the classroom, including newspapers or books, or you may bring in magazines and articles that you have from home. Be prepared and ready to complete your task.

PROCESS:

1. Research the statistics for your chosen athletes. Make sure the athlete you choose has at least 3-5 years of statistical data available.
2. Calculate the mean, median, and mode for each set of data you have collected. This is going to be performed at least 3 times (one for each athlete chosen). Be sure to keep data for each athlete separate to ensure accuracy.
3. For each athlete, make a graph to display the data you have collected and computed. This tool will be used to help make your case in favor or against your chosen athletes.
4. For each athlete, make predictions on how you feel the athlete will perform in the year to come. (Use the data collected and the graph to make these predictions).
5. Evaluate your athlete’s situation and decide if you feel the athlete should be invited to the next Olympic Games. Use this information to choose whether you will be an agent representing the athlete or a sports reporter arguing against inviting the athlete to the Olympic Games.
6. Write an article supporting the stance you have taken on each athlete. Your article should include the data collected, the statistical computations, the graph used to represent these values, your predictions and your feeling on if the athlete should be invited to the Olympic Games and WHY?.

EVALUATION:

Your final project will be evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Selection of 3 athletes to analyze
2. Correct, complete, and accurate computations of the athletes statistics (Mean, Median, and Mode)
3. A graph to represent the data is presented
4. Predictions of the athletes future performance
5. Justification of why you would support or not support the athlete being invited to the Olympic Games
6. Final presentation of the information requested and your stance on the issue dealing with each athlete individually.

CONCLUSION:

After completing this Web Quest, you will have learned how to apply the basic statistical calculations (Mean, Median, and Mode) and how to represent these values using a graphical model. You will also have a basic understanding of how to make accurate predictions based on the data you collected and the computations you performed. It is also important that you learn the importance of your presentation following your data accurately and precisely and you take a stand on the important question: On the Road to the Olympics???