To investigate this question, students first find the measurement of their legs. They then line up in order from the shortest legged student to the longest legged student. The class discusses box and whisker plots while simultaneously creating a human box and whisker plot. They then locate the median, upper and lower quartiles, upper and lower extremes and outliers. Cash register tape is wrapped around the students to create the box portion of the box and whisker plot.
Students then go outside to the track and take turns running sprints.
The median divides the students into two groups, the longer legged students and the shorter legged students. The times it takes for each of the students in each group to finish the race are measured. Using a computer and graphing program, this data is organized to create two box and whisker plots. The two box and whisker plots are compared and analyzed. Based on these comparisons, students reach their conclusions and are prepared to explain their reasoning.