by: Tina Azarm and Siddarth Suresh

In a world where mathematics and sciences so often intertwine, IA students got to experience firsthand just how often these two disciplines intersect. Recently, AP Biology and AP Statistics students joined forces with one another to investigate how manipulating certain variables can affect the growth of plant species. Together, students planted various seeds within the school’s garden located outside of the Engineering Wing. Each week, they are required to gather data about their plants such as its height, length of its leaves, and fruition rate.  

As AP Biology students analyze the scientific reasonings behind how the plants respond to various variables, AP Statistics students are responsible for creating randomized sampling methods and analyzing the data collected from the experiment.

Through this project, students are gaining key interdisciplinary collaboration skills and are able to build cross-curricular connections that will continue to serve them for the rest of their academic careers. For example, Dr. Berkemeier, the AP Biology teacher, elaborated about how students have to figure out how to grow plants and utilize their research skills to learn what settings are best to grow plants in. Ms. Reid, the AP Statistics teacher, echoed similar thoughts and mentioned how students have to figure out how to collect data from plants and that real-world data collection and analysis isn’t as clear-cut as one might expect.

Dr. Berkemeier and Ms. Reid are both so excited for the students to see the outcome of their project and look forward to implementing more exciting and engaging projects for their classes!