This Lesson has been Adapted From:
Human Dimensions Project by Greg Bartus is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionNoncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License
The Full Lesson can be found here – http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/edu/lesson_plans.html
Lesson Plan: Human Dimensions Project
Overview
"It has been said that our wingspan is the same as our height. Is this true?" Leading a group of math
and science teachers, I thought this was a possible teaching moment and asked others attending. A
few had heard of the same relationship, however, no one could present any compelling evidence aside
from Leonardo Da Vinci's "Vitruvian Man". We decided to start a collaborative project to answer this
question.
The most effective method for data collection is to use a Google Doc Spreadsheet and a Google Form
to allow teachers and students to submit their data and view the complete data set easily and
quickly. Students can even have parents and community members enter data from home!
Materials
Computer with internet access
Projector
Meter stick
Ruler
Tape measure with centimeters
Level
Chart paper and tape
Instructions
1. Find a partner or partners to help collect data on each other.
2. Measure each other's dimensions as outlined below.
3. Enter the data in the Google Doc in the Data section below.
4. Open the spreadsheet, and Export to Excel or Create a Copy for another software program
5. Analyze the data and see if indeed wingspan and height are related.
Measure the following human dimensions using the directions provided:
Height
1. Remove your shoes.
2. One person lean against the chart paper that is taped on the wall. Make sure your head and
heels are touching the wall.
3. Place a ruler flat on top of your head to get a good reading. If the person you are measuring is
a lot taller than you, use a level to be sure you are holding the ruler horizontal.
4. Have your partner mark your height with a marker next to the ruler.
5. Place tape measure at the bottom of the wall and pull the tape measure to your marked
height. Find the height (in cm).
6. Repeat same procedures with your partner.
7. Record data in the appropriate area. Example: Ms. Coppola is 161.0 cm.
Wingspan
1. While standing, extend arms in opposite directions horizontally at shoulder height.
2. Using a tape measure, measure wingspan (cm). Wingspan is defined as the distance from the
tip of the middle finger of one hand to the tip of the middle finger of the other hand.
3. Record measurement.
4. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for your partner.
Data Collection and Analysis
Click here to fill out the Google Doc form
First create a Google Doc spreadsheet and Google form for your class. Next, have students enter the
data they collected in your Google form. If you have a projector for your computer, leave the Google
Doc open so students can see their data on your computer as it gets entered. Share the data with your
students by either inviting them or let them view the data without signing in.
Once the data collection is complete students can Download to Excel (under the File menu) or Create A
Copy from the Google Doc which allows them to manipulate the data without affecting the raw data that
is being collected. Exporting the data to a more powerful spreadsheet program will allow students to
draw a best fit line and get an equation of the line.
In a graphing program, students should plot the data as an X-Y scatter plot. If there is a good link
between variables (height and wingspan) then most of the points will fall along a line. Plotting a linear
trendline will assist in that assessment. The equation of the line (and the trendline itself) will allow
students to interpolate and extrapolate data as well.
Evaluation
Students should use the data set that has been accumulated to answer the following questions:
1. Is there a good relationship between variables (height/wingspan)? How did you determine
that?
2. What could you do to improve the accuracy of your data? Play around with the data a little and
see what happens when you change or remove points. See how the line changes. Can we
justify removing points? How could you improve the data set? What could you do to make
more precise measurements?
3. If Jill is 130 cm tall, what do you predict her wingspan will be?
4. If your little brother is only 85 cm tall, what do you predict his wingspan will be?
5. Measure the height of your favorite teacher. What will be their wingspan?