There is a pattern in nature that appears almost every time we measure or count individuals of a species based on a specific characteristic. This activity puts students in the role of scientists as they learn about statistics and genetic variation within a species and use the statistical understanding to describe frequencies of specific variations within a species. In this activity, students will focus on
the discovery of statistical patterns that emerge from the data. This activity capitalizes on the patterns in nature and how close observations of natural objects can reveal a new level of appreciation for mathematical thinking as it is revealed in science. This activity also introduces students to (or reinforces) a process in which they experience how scientific knowledge is developed and tested. Then, students use the scientific knowledge to predict and test other variations among members of another species. The free sample chapter also includes the Table of Contents, Background, Introduction, Preface, and Index.