The M&M Mystery National University

Introduction You have been ask to investigate the company that makes M&M's.  You want to find out if all the M&M's in the bag have equal amounts of each color.  It is your job to figure out if some colors aren't getting equal treatment.

Curriculum Standards Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability 1.0 Students conduct simple probability experiments by determining the number of possible outcomes and make simple predictions: 1.1 Identify whether common events are certain, likely, unlikely, or improbable. 1.2 Record the possible outcomes for a simple event (e.g., tossing a coin) and systematically keep track of the outcomes when the event is repeated many times. 1.3 Summarize and display the results of probability experiments in a clear and organized way (e.g., use a bar graph or a line plot). 1.4 Use the results of probability experiments to predict future events (e.g., use a line plot to predict the temperature forecast for the next day).

Technology Foundation Standards for Students Basic operations and concepts  Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems. Students are proficient in the use of technology. Social, ethical, and human issues Students understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology. Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software. Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity. Technology productivity tools Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity. Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.

Task You will be working with a small group and will be conducting experiments related to how many M&M's of each color are in a bag.  As an investigating team, you will conduct experiments, use Excel to collect your data, and create a Power Point presentation to present your finding.

Process – Step One First you will get into your investigating teams. (No more than 4 people on a team.) You and your team will calculate the percentage of each color of M&M's in a bag. You will get two bags of M&M's. Open one bag of M&M's and sort by color. On a sheet of paper, make a table that has the color and quantity of each color, record your data. Now do the same with the second bag of M&M's.

Process – Step Two Using Excel, create a table and graph to show the data that was collected. Use the following tutorial for help: http://www.bcschools.net/staff/ExcelHelp.htm 

Process – Step Three Now using your data, create a Power Point presentation that answers and/or shows the following data: Use the following tutorial for help creating a presentation: http://www.bcschools.net/staff/PowerPointHelp.htm How many M&M's were in each bag? How many of each color was there? Was there a color that appeared more often? Was there a color that appeared least often? Compare your percentage of each color with what M&M's website has for each color. http://www.mms.com/us/about/products/milkchocolate/ Does your percentage match the website's percentages?

Resources http://www.mms.com/us/about/products/milkchocolate/ http://www.mms.com/us/about/products/milkchocolate/  You can use this website to see what the makers of M&M's say will be in each bag.   http://www.theteacherscorner.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2865 This is the website that gave me the idea for this webquest. http://www.bcschools.net/staff/ExcelHelp.htm A tutorial to help the students navigate through and create their graphs and charts with the collected data. (Excel) http://www.bcschools.net/staff/PowerPointHelp.htm A tutorial to help the students create a powerpoint presentation.

Evaluation Excel - Table and Chart Rubric: CATEGORY 1 2 3 Organization of Table Table has a title in row A. Each column of data is labeled correctly. Data is organized correctly. Table has a title OR data columns have labels. Data is organized. Data is entered in a table format. Creation of Chart Chart was created in separate worksheet. Type of chart chosen is correct. Correct data was used. Chart placed in correct sheet, OR correct type of chart, OR correct data was used. Chart was created as object in same worksheet. Incorrect type of chart. Incorrect data used. Chart Title & Labels Title of chart and labels of axis are both correct. Spelling is accurate. Title of chart and labels of axis are both correct. There is a title OR the axis are labeled.

Evaluation Power Point Presentation Rubric: CATEGORY Excellent Good Fair Poor Sequencing of Information Information is organized in a clear, logical way. It is easy to follow. All steps are presented . Most information is organized in a clear, logical way. One step seems out of place. Some information is logically sequenced. Two steps seems out of place. There is no clear plan for the organization of information. Background Choice of background is consistent from card to card and is appropriate for the topic. Choice of background is consistent from card to card. Background competes with other graphics on the page. Background makes it difficult to see text and competes with other graphics on the page. Spelling and Grammar Presentation has no misspellings or grammatical errors. Presentation has 1-2 misspellings, but no grammatical errors. Presentation has 1-2 grammatical errors but no misspellings. Presentation has more than 2 grammatical and/or spelling errors. Use of Graphics All graphics are attractive and support the content of the presentation. A few graphics are not attractive but all support content of the presentation. All graphics are attractive but a few do not seem to support the content of the presentation. Several graphics are unattractive AND detract from the content of the presentation. Originality Presentation shows considerable originality and inventiveness. All steps are well thought through. The content and ideas are presented in a unique and interesting way. Presentation shows some originality and inventiveness. Most steps well developed. The content and ideas are presented in an interesting way. Presentation shows an attempt at originality and inventiveness on 1-2 cards. Presentation is a rehash of other people's ideas and/or graphics and shows very little attempt at original thought.

Conclusion Using Excel gave us a way to collect our data.  What did you learn from the data that was collected?  We were able to find percentages and decided what the probability would be if we reached into a bag of M&M's and were to pull out a certain number. As students we can use this information that we gained.  Probability and percentages can into effect with a lot of things that we do on a daily bases.  Now collect data pertaining to something in your life, and see if you can find the probability or likeliness that something will happen.

Credits http://www.mms.com/us/about/products/milkchocolate/   http://www.theteacherscorner.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2865 http://www.bcschools.net/staff/ExcelHelp.htm http://www.bcschools.net/staff/PowerPointHelp.htm http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=ShowRubric&rubric_id=1436559& http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=ShowRubric&rubric_id=1463280&