Data Science STEM resources
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DT+ HASS; DT+ Mathematics; DT+ Science
Here are some authentic datasets collected by research scientists studying marine and coastal animal populations. Use them to develop your students' data science skills as they analyse the data and use it to answer questions related to real-life management issues.
These resources were developed in partnership with Pawsey Supercomputing Centre and Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) Kimberley Marine Research Program.
Saltwater crocodiles
Feature image: Bernard DUPONT/Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 2.0
Teacher lesson
This lesson uses a dataset of saltwater crocodile observations in the Kimberley region WA. The data, collected by scientists helps to provide evidence of population abundance and distribution. Students use the data to help answer the inquiry question, Should crocodile hunting be permitted in the Kimberleys?
Student task
This slide deck can be used to introduce the inquiry question and guide student learning.
Dataset
Three datasets are provided that focus on data of crocodile observations made in the Kimberley region WA. It includes:
- Data for online mapping: spatial data that can be imported into online mapping software (.csv/ ).
- Croc data organised into tabs: a full dataset that can be analysed which has been organised by tabs to enable differentiation (.xlsx/ ).
- Croc survey tool: a spreadsheet that can be used to model survey collection and use the data to create charts/graphs (.xlsx/ ).
Career profiles
View career profiles of scientists involved in researching marine and coastal fauna. Use it to help inspire students to consider a STEM career.
Humpback whales
Feature image: Eric Ellingson/Flickr Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0
View this video, Zoom into School Dr Michele Thums Role of Scientific Research in Marine Environmental Management for a comprehensive background of marine environmental management. This provides a valuable insight into how Michele collects scientific data and uses it to inform her research into marine fauna.
Teacher lesson
This lesson uses a dataset of whale observations in Pender Bay, WA to help answer the question ‘Should we limit the use of sonar in Pender Bay? Students use the data to create tables to organise information and charts/graphs to visualise data. They use the data to help answer the inquiry question.
Student task
This slide deck can be used to introduce the inquiry question and guide student learning.
Career profile
View Michelle Thums’ career profile. Use it to help inspire students to consider a STEM career.
Dataset
This dataset provides data of whale observations made in Pender Bay, WA
Dugongs
Feature image: dietmaha/pixabay
Teacher lesson
Student task
Student task still to come
Career profile
Dataset
Marine turtles
Feature image: Tchami/Flickr Creative Commons BY-SA 2.0
View this video, Zoom into School Dr Michele Thums Role of Scientific Research in Marine Environmental Management for a comprehensive background of marine environmental management. This provides a valuable insight into how Michele collects scientific data and uses it to inform her research into marine fauna.
Years 5-6; Years 7-8 | Years 5-6; Years 7-8 | Years 7-8 | |
Teacher lesson | Exploring data in turtle population dynamicsIn this lesson we use a dataset that will enable us to model the number of offspring a female turtle may have over her lifetime. Students use spreadsheeting software to model changes as they change inputs and analyse the effect on offspring numbers. 
| Exploring data tracking turtle movementsIn this lesson we use a dataset that includes geospatial data for several different turtles which is used to track their movement over time. Students use online mapping software to visualise the latitude and longitude data. 
| Impact of climate change on Flatback turtle populationsIn this lesson we use a dataset to explore ways to analyse and display the data in order to examine the impact of rising global temperatures on Flatback Turtle Populations. 
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Student task | This slide deck can be used to introduce the inquiry question and guide student learning. 
| A slide deck is not provided for this lesson. | This slide deck can be used to introduce the inquiry question and guide student learning. 
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Datasets | These datasets provides data of marine turtles related to egg production of female turtles. The turtle population data spreadsheet enables students to model population dynamics.
| These datasets provide satellite tracking data of marine turtles journeys made along the Northern coast of Australia. Use Google My Maps, Google Earth or National Map to visualise the data. Data is provided in two formats: csv and kml.
| These datasets provide sand temperature data from rookeries where turtles have nested along the Northern coast of Australia.
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Career profiles | View Dr. Sabrina Fossette’s and Blair Bentley’s career profile. Use it to help inspire students to consider a STEM career. 
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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0, unless otherwise indicated.