QuarkNet Data Portfolio

A collection of proven instructional activities developed around data strands that help students develop an understanding about how scientists make discoveries. 
The Data Portfolio organizes activities by data strand and level of student engagement. Activities differ in complexity and sophistication—tasks in Level 1 are simpler than those in Levels 2 and 3. While each level can be explored individually, students that start in one level and progress to more complex levels experience increasingly engaging and challenging tasks. Teachers select activities to offer a learning experience of an appropriate length and level for their students.

A collection of proven instructional activities developed around data strands that help students develop an understanding about how scientists make discoveries.

The Data Portfolio organizes activities by data strand and level of student engagement. Activities differ in complexity and sophistication—tasks in Level 1 are simpler than those in Levels 2 and 3. While each level can be explored individually, students that start in one level and progress to more complex levels experience increasingly engaging and challenging tasks. Teachers select activities to offer a learning experience of an appropriate length and level for their students.

Activity Name Data Strand Level Curriculum Topics NGSS Practices Topic
Making Tracks II

Students analyze tracks in a bubble chamber.
Cosmic Ray
LHC
Neutrino
Level 1
1
2
4
6
7
Making Tracks I

Students analyze tracks in a cloud chamber.
Cosmic Ray
LHC
Neutrino
Level 0
1
2
4
6
7
Making it ‘Round the Bend - Quantitative

Students measure the effects of electric and magnetic fields on particles. 
LHC
Level 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Making it ‘Round the Bend - Qualitative

Students explore the effects of electric and magnetic fields on particles. 
LHC
Level 1
1
2
3
4
6
7
Introduction to Coding Using Jupyter

Students will learn the basics of coding using Jupyter style notebooks.
Cosmic Ray
LHC
Neutrino
Level 0
1
2
4
How Speedy are These Muons?

In this activity, students use authentic detector data to apply simple 1D kinematics (v=d/t), interpret graphical data, and evaluate measurement uncertainties.
Cosmic Ray
Level 1
2
3
4
5
7
8
Histograms: Uncertainty

Students construct histograms, identify the best value to represent the data, and report the uncertainty in their answers. 
Cosmic Ray
LHC
Neutrino
Level 1
4
5
Histograms: The Basics

Students build basic histogram skills required in many of the other activities in the Data Activities Portfolio.
Cosmic Ray
LHC
Neutrino
Level 0
4
5
7
Energy, Momentum, and Mass

Students examine data to find how energy, momentum, and mass are related.
Cosmic Ray
LHC
Neutrino
Level 1
2
4
5
7
8
Dice, Histograms & Probability

Students roll dice, record the resulting individual values as well as the sum of the values, create histograms of the data and develop insight into the concept of “degrees of freedom." 
Cosmic Ray
LHC
Level 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8