Abstract
Integrating authentic, environmental-based data can make STEM instruction more meaningful. As part of a broader high school STEM curriculum, I designed a lesson that connects mathematical and statistical concepts, technology, and environmental data through environmental data analysis to develop real-world problem solving. Using local deer mortality data, I examined how descriptive statistics and data interpretation could reveal population and ecological patterns. Designing with real data highlighted how mathematics can serve as a lens for understanding environmental issues and promote connections across STEM disciplines. This research brief focuses on the instructional design and reflection as the lesson designer.
Document Type
Brief
DOI
10.5703/1288284318503
Recommended Citation
Erskine, Abigail, "STEM Integration through Environmental Data Analysis for Real-World Problem Solving" (2026). Indiana STEM Education Conference. 4.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/instemed/2026/briefs/4
Included in
Engineering Education Commons, Science and Mathematics Education Commons, Science and Technology Studies Commons
STEM Integration through Environmental Data Analysis for Real-World Problem Solving
Integrating authentic, environmental-based data can make STEM instruction more meaningful. As part of a broader high school STEM curriculum, I designed a lesson that connects mathematical and statistical concepts, technology, and environmental data through environmental data analysis to develop real-world problem solving. Using local deer mortality data, I examined how descriptive statistics and data interpretation could reveal population and ecological patterns. Designing with real data highlighted how mathematics can serve as a lens for understanding environmental issues and promote connections across STEM disciplines. This research brief focuses on the instructional design and reflection as the lesson designer.