Math Just Got Real: Quadratic Regression Project

Using data to find a quadratic graph of best fit is an awesome way to connect math with the real world. However, it’s not always easy to find authentic data to use for a quadratic regression equation. I REALLY wanted to use the flight of a soccer ball or golf ball and find a video on YouTube that had all the stats using a trace finder that states the distance and height. I searched and searched, but could not find a video that was clear and had the information needed to collect data for a scatter plot. So, I began looking at weather patterns, but that wasn’t quite right either. However, it helped me stumble across the timeanddate.com site. This is when I realized I can use the time of day and the altitude of the sun for a quadratic regression real world project! Of course, you can only use it for ONE day otherwise, it’s a periodic function. Here are the details of the project…

THE PATH OF THE SUN

OBJECTIVE
In this project, students are to find the curve of best fit for a quadratic function in the real world by performing the following:

• Choose a city, country and date for your research.
• Collect data on the relationship between time of day and the altitude of the sun.
• Record your information in a table.
• Find the curve of best-fit model using the quadratic regression feature on a graphing calculator.
• Graph the scatter plot of the data set and the curve of best fit in Desmos.
• Analyze the results.
• Record all of the information in a Google Slide Presentation.

REASEARCH Students choose a location (city, state/country) and a specific date to use to collect their data. They use the timeanddate.com site to find the altitude of the sun at specific times of the day.

RESULTS Students use the TI-84 graphing calculator to find the quadratic regression equation. Then they use Desmos to create a scatter plot and graph the quadratic regression equation. Students answer questions to help them understand and analyze their results.

VISUALS
The Google Slides template is provided, so students can type in their information in the specific location. They then can easily turn their project into you via Google Classroom or email.

GRADING A rubric is provided, so you can easily evaluate each aspect of the project. It is great for students to use, so they know exactly what is expected of them.

Included: Note to Teacher Project Directions Student Template (Google Slides) Example Project (Google Slides) Rubric Spreadsheet for students to choose a location BONUS: Quadratic Regression Calculator Sheet – shows students step by step on how to find the quadratic regression equation

The project directions and rubric are 100% editable! This is very easy to integrate into any Algebra course either in-person or online, gives students some freedom of what place to research, and is mathtastically fun! And since it’s editable, you can even change it to record data over several days and find the sinusoidal regression equation for a higher-level math course.
 
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