Soccer Stats: Graphing the Game

8th Grade Project 1 week

Soccer Stats: Graphing the Game

Fernando M

CCSS.Math.Content.8.EE.B.5

CCSS.Math.Content.8.F.A.3

CCSS.Math.Content.8.F.B.4

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Purpose

This project aims to deepen students' understanding of proportional and linear relationships through the lens of soccer, a real-world context that resonates with many. By analyzing authentic data from a local soccer club, students will construct and interpret linear functions that model the relationship between training intensity and match outcomes. The project encourages students to apply mathematical concepts to tangible scenarios, fostering critical thinking and data literacy skills. Through hands-on activities and community engagement, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how mathematics can be used to analyze and predict real-world phenomena.

Learning goals

Students will learn to graph proportional relationships and interpret the unit rate as the slope, using soccer training and match data. They will construct and analyze linear functions to model relationships between training intensity and match outcomes, determining rates of change and initial values. Through hands-on data collection and analysis, students will deepen their understanding of how linear functions can represent real-world scenarios, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.8.EE.B.5 - Graph proportional relationships, interpreting the unit rate as the slope of the graph. Compare two different proportional relationships represented in different ways.
CCSS.Math.Content.8.F.A.3 - Interpret the equation y = mx + b as defining a linear function, whose graph is a straight line; give examples of functions that are not linear.
CCSS.Math.Content.8.F.B.4 - Construct a function to model a linear relationship between two quantities. Determine the rate of change and initial value of the function from a description of a relationship or from two (x, y) values, including reading these from a table or from a graph. Interpret the rate of change and initial value of a linear function in terms of the situation it models, and in terms of its graph or a table of values.

Products

Throughout the project, students will create data visualizations and graphs that demonstrate the proportional relationships and linear functions derived from soccer training and match data. By the end of the week, each student will have developed a comprehensive presentation that includes their analysis and interpretation of the data, highlighting the impact of training intensity on match outcomes. These presentations will be shared during the Soccer Data Showcase, where students will exhibit their work to the community, showcasing their understanding of mathematical concepts through real-world applications.

Launch

Kick off the project with a 'Proportional Play Day,' where students rotate through interactive stations that simulate real-world soccer scenarios. Each station focuses on collecting and analyzing data related to soccer drills, such as measuring sprint speeds, tracking goal-scoring rates, and evaluating pass accuracy. Students will gather data and begin to explore how these activities can be represented through graphs and linear functions, setting the stage for deeper analysis throughout the project.

Exhibition

Host a 'Soccer Data Showcase' where students present their findings in a science fair-style setup. Invite parents, teachers, and community members to walk through and interact with the data visualizations and analyses. This interactive exhibition allows students to explain how they used linear functions to interpret the relationship between training intensity and match outcomes, providing a platform for meaningful dialogue and feedback.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1
Activities	Proportional Play Day Introduction - Engage in interactive stations to explore soccer data collection and analysis, such as tracking sprint speeds and pass accuracy, setting the stage for understanding proportional relationships (60 min)
Deliverables	1. Create a comprehensive presentation that includes data visualizations and graphs showcasing the relationship between soccer training intensity and match outcomes. 2. Participate in peer review sessions to refine presentations based on feedback received. 3. Present findings at the 'Soccer Data Showcase' to explain the use of linear functions in interpreting soccer data.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with a local soccer club to obtain authentic training and match data for analysis. 2. Set up interactive stations for the 'Proportional Play Day' to collect data on soccer drills like sprinting speeds and pass accuracy. 3. Gather materials such as graph paper, rulers, and calculators for students to use in creating data visualizations. 4. Arrange a venue for the 'Soccer Data Showcase' and invite parents, teachers, and community members to attend. 5. Prepare guidelines and rubrics for peer review sessions to ensure constructive feedback.