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High School Biology and Math Department: An Interdisciplinary Open Class "The Application of Chi-square Test in Ecological Research"

March 10, 2023

On March 8, 2023, Ms. Hu from the High School Biology Department and Ms. Gao from the High School Math Department delivered an interdisciplinary open class with the theme "Application of the Chi-square Test in Ecological Research” in the recording room of Zhentao Building. Teachers from the High School Biology and Math Departments joined this classroom observation.

With the focus in studying the relationship between species in an ecological study, Ms. Hu led students to conduct random quadrat sampling on two common herbaceous species on campus earlier and introduced the chi-square test for statistical analysis in the open class. Under her direction, not only did students learn the purpose and steps to perform a chi-square test, but they were also inspired to reflect on and evaluate the reliability of their sampling and statistical analysis procedures after drawing their conclusions. At the same time, Ms. Gao aided the delivery of the skill with her explanation on the principle of the chi-square test and statistical concepts including expected value, degree of freedom, critical value, etc. She deepened students’ understanding of the calculation and revealed the significance of each step of the chi-square test from a mathematical point of view.

This open class allowed students to gradually understand the process of random sampling, data collection, data processing, and data analysis through fieldwork practice. At the end of the class, Ms. Hu pointed out that statistical analysis is an important means to support ecological studies, especially when students had explored the core significance of ecological research and discussed how to improve the reliability of scientific research.

After class, the teachers from the biology and mathematics groups commented on the course. This interdisciplinary open class combining biology and statistics has promoted students' learning in theory and practical work from multiple dimensions. While promoting students' scientific inquiry thinking, it also cultivates students' statistical thinking ability. The collaboration of the two teachers also contributes to the improvement of teachers' teaching ability and innovation of teaching strategies.

(Written/Pictures by Wenqing Hu, Yueer Gao Reviewed by Qian Zuo)