Are Electric Vehicles the Lightest?
Data Story
In this Critique, Correct, Clarify (C3) Data Story, students evaluate a student's claim about vehicle weight and fuel economy using real-world data from gasoline, hybrid, and electric vehicles. Students begin by comparing the weights of different types of vehicles. They then investigate which vehicles have the highest fuel economy. Finally, they analyze a graph showing the relationship between vehicle weight and fuel economy to decide whether the student's reasoning is supported by the data. The lesson focuses on an important scientific and mathematical idea: a reasonable pattern does not always lead to a correct conclusion. Students discover that while lighter vehicles often have better fuel economy, electric vehicles are not the lightest vehicles, even though they generally have the highest fuel economy in this dataset. Throughout the lesson, students use evidence from multiple graphs to critique a claim, identify the flaw in the student's reasoning, and explain what the data actually show. Teacher Notes Students may notice several important patterns: Electric vehicles generally have the highest fuel economy. Electric vehicles are not the lightest vehicles. Many gasoline vehicles weigh less than many electric vehicles. Vehicle weight alone does not explain fuel economy. Some students may initially agree with the student's claim because it sounds logical. Encourage students to use evidence from all three graphs before deciding whether the claim is supported. This lesson helps students distinguish between observing a pattern and drawing a conclusion from evidence, an important skill in both mathematics and science.
Have you ever wondered what kind of car you might drive one day? Cars use different kinds of energy to move. Gasoline vehicles run on gasoline. Hybrid vehicles use both gasoline and electricity. Electric vehicles (EVs) run on electricity from batteries. People often compare cars by their fuel economy. Fuel economy tells how far a car can travel using a certain amount of energy. A student made this claim: "Lighter vehicles usually get better fuel economy. So, electric vehicles must be the lightest vehicles." [--- Claim: A statement that can be supported or challenged with evidence. ---] {alert-vocabulary} Let's investigate the data to decide whether the student's claim is supported by evidence. Click Next to find out!
Topics and standards: Critique-Correct-Clarify, Tuva Jr., 4-MD-B-4, 5-MD-B-2, 4-E-12-1, 5-E-10-1, 5-E-10-2