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 I

Students analyze tracks in a cloud chamber.
Cosmic Ray
LHC
Neutrino
Level 0
1
2
4
6
7
Making Tracks II

Students analyze tracks in a bubble chamber.
Cosmic Ray
LHC
Neutrino
Level 1
1
2
4
6
7
Particle Transformations

Students discover the rules of particle transformations using transformation diagrams.
Cosmic Ray
LHC
Neutrino
Level 1
1
2
4
6
7
Mean Lifetime Part 3: MINERvA

Students collect data from muons which decay in the MINERvA detector in the Fermilab NuMi beamline to understand particle decay and determine the muon lifetime.
Cosmic Ray
Neutrino
Level 2
2
3
4
5
7
8
TOTEM 1

Students use TOTEM data to determine if protons (quantum objects) obey classical conservation of momentum.
LHC
Level 1
4
5
8
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
Research Using Coding

This activity provides techniques for guiding students doing an independent research project.

 
Cosmic Ray
LHC
Neutrino
Level 4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Calculate the Z Mass

Students use conservation laws and vector addition to calculate the Z mass from event displays.
LHC
Level 1
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
Z Mass Spreadsheet Extension

Students use spreadsheet coding to determine the Z Mass for a large data set.
LHC
Level 2
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Angles and Dimuons

This activity is based on the data analysis used for World Wide Data Day,
Cosmic Ray
LHC
Level 1
2
4
5
6
7
8