Canadians Your Age: Analysis of the 10-to-14 age group using E-STAT (2006 Census)

In this activity, students will practise using E-STAT graphing tools to make tables, bar charts, stacked bar charts, scatter graphs, and histograms, using census data. Students will analyze the data represented in their graphs and draw conclusions about the data based on their analysis. In addition, they will learn and apply the concept of measures of central tendency and the notion of outliers and their effect on central tendency.

Contributors: Hana Svandova, Eunsup Kang, and Mohamed Khandwalla, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education; Jennifer Hall and Joel Yan, Statistics Canada

• Use computer applications to examine and interpret data in a variety of ways
• Interpret displays of data and present the information using mathematical terms
• Evaluate data and draw conclusions from the analysis of data
• Understand and apply the concept of measures of central tendency
• Determine the effect on a measure of central tendency of adding or removing a value; in particular, examine the effect of outliers
• Understand the difference between a bar chart and a histogram
• Construct tables, bar charts, scatter graphs, and histograms with the help of technology
• Make inferences and convincing arguments based on data analysis

Intermediate
Mathematics, Geography

2-4 periods of 60 minutes each

• Computer with internet access and word processing software
• Computer projector
• E-STAT account
• Instructions for accessing population data on E-STAT
• Student worksheet 1: Tables   Answers
• Student worksheet 2: Bar Charts   Answers
• Student worksheet 3: Scatter Graphs   Answers
• Student worksheet 4: Histograms   Answers

1. Review the concepts of range, mean, median, and mode. Review bar charts and introduce the basics of histograms and how they differ from bar charts. You can access these definitions with examples at Statistics: Power from Data!.
2. Reserve a computer lab and projector.
3. Introduce the Census of Canada and the data on population by age. As a hook, have a brief discussion about questions such as:
   • Do you think there are more girls or boys your age?
   • Do you think the percentage of people your age changes in different regions across Canada?
4. Demonstrate how to launch E-STAT and how to copy and paste graphs into a word processing document.
5. Have students begin by following the Instructions for accessing population data on E-STAT.
6. Students can access the worksheets online so they can fill them in directly on the computer by typing in their answers and pasting their E-STAT charts and graphs.
   Note: The Table worksheet must be completed prior to any of the other worksheets.

• An enrichment activity worksheet that involves looking at the same data from an earlier census to see how the population of the 10-to-14 age group has changed over time is provided as a Student version and Teacher version.
• Teachers are encouraged to show population pyramids to their students as a way of representing all age groups. See Animated population pyramids along with lessons. If time permits, ask students to complete the Age and Sex lesson.
• Teachers can also direct students to examine the relative size of their age cohort in other countries. Students can be directed to find and explain any differences between Canada and other countries (e.g. impact of AIDS, wars).

Answers to all the questions are provided on the teacher versions of the student worksheets.

Please e-mail comments or examples of how you used this exercise in your class.