Michigan Agriscience Education
For Elementary Students
Grades 3-4
Watermelon Math
OBJECTIVE:
Students will find the mean and median number of seeds in a watermelon.
MATERIALS:
1. One large watermelon
2. Knife to cut (teacher will do the cutting)
3. Plates for watermelon slices
4. Plastic knife and fork to extract seeds
5. Data collection chart
6. Computer with internet access
BACKGROUND:
Discuss with the students that the number of seeds in a watermelon is very
important for watermelon producers. Too many seeds in a certain variety and odds
are people won’t want that variety. Therefore, scientists in the field of agriculture
work to develop varieties that have a lot, few, or no seeds at all. Go to the Web
site and look at the different varieties of watermelon and their descriptions.
There may be a need to review how to find the mean and median of given data.
PRE-LAB:
Have students write about how they think farmers can reduce the number of seed
in watermelon. Let them be creative.
PROCEDURE:
1. Put students in groups of five
2. Give each student a slice of watermelon
3. Give each student a data chart
4. Each student will count the number of seeds in their slice and record data
5. Students will share data to get a group average and mean
6. Groups will share data to get an overall watermelon average and mean
ASSESSMENT:
1. Groups will share data to create a class graph
2. In order to master the objective, the math must be correct
RESOURCES:
1. Web site: www.food.orst.edu
2. Data chart
Worksheet 1
Name________________________________________
Date__________________________
Group__________________
Seed Mean and Median Activity
Slice
1.
Data Chart
Number of Seeds
2.
3.
4.
5.
1. What is the average number of seeds for your group?
__________________________________
2. Write the number of seeds for each slice in order from least to greatest.
________________________________________
3. Using the data from number two, what is the median number of seeds for your
group?
________________________________________
* Original can be found at Kansas Ag in the Classroom, www.ksagclassroom.org