Future of Four Seasons in Maine and the Maine Data Literacy Project
How does light intensity relate to temperature?
Background: On a bright sunny day in the summer, we typically expect it to also be hot,
and on a cloudy day, we expect it to be cooler. But is this also true in the winter?
The graph is a scatter plot showing how temperature relates to light intensity measured in
a unit called lux. The data were collected Mr. Lindsey’s Earth systems class last winter at
Old Town High School between the January 1st and February 28th.
Data Source: Ed Lindsey, Old Town High School
1. Describe what the graph shows about how temperature and light intensity are related in January and
February.
(Purpose here is to elicit description of what the graph shows. Sample response: Low lux days (cloudy) had a wide
range of temperatures ranging from 5 °C to -23°C while the days with higher lux appeared to be less variable with
temperatures ranging from - 5°C to -15°C.)
2. I interpret the graph to mean….
(Purpose here is to elicit an explanation (e.g. of the pattern or variability) or interpretation of the meaning in terms
of the context of the question. Sample response: There does not appear to be a strong correlation between
temperature and light intensity in the winter. More light did not mean warmer temperatures and less did not mean
it would be colder.)