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Excel: Global Warming Analysis With Excel

Understanding Excel is enhanced by exploring a current topic with real world data. The student will explore climate data using Excel to produce graphs and tables and develop a point of view on global warming.
Robert Brink
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(3)
Class

What's included

1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

The student will learn how to apply Excel to analyze climate data. We will look at average high temperature data for one weather station from 1948 through 2019, sourced from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  I will provide the data in an easy to access file. The student will provide their own computer running Excel, and should have a basic knowledge of using Excel. They will experience the process that data analysts and data scientists use. 

I will provide some introduction to the topic, then coach the students as they perform each step in the analysis. First the student will see me perform a step, and they will perform the same step on their computers with their own copy of Excel. They are encouraged to ask questions and share their thoughts.

The student will open the data file with Excel and inspect the data to understand what each column of data means and the range of values for each column. Then some minor editing of the data will be done. The student will make a line chart showing how the temperature changed from year to year. We will visually inspect the chart and discuss what they think the chart is telling them.

Our analysis continues with the student applying a linear trend line to the chart. They will see if the data shows an increase in temperature over time, as one would suspect from global warming, or if the temperatures are constant or declining over time. We will use an Excel formula to determine how much the temperature trend has changed from 1948 to 2019.

We will calculate trends to see the outcome when using different techniques. This is done by clicking on options for the trend line. We will then forecast the prediction of the temperature 10 years into the future. The student will learn about what makes forecasted outcomes very different depending on the type of trend used. They will edit their chart's colors and style to highlight the most important data. The student can use their chart to tell a story about global warming and how they analyzed their data.

Upon completion, the student will have increased their Excel skills, developed insight into how a data scientist works, and they will have increased their vocabulary about global warming.

Learning Goals

Students will experience applying these Excel techniques in a realistic setting:
- Import data
- Review data quality
- Delete data
- Use basic descriptive statistical formulas
- Create charts (graphs)
- Perform trend analysis using chart options
- Perform trend analysis using formulas
- Measure errors in trends
- Improve the visual impact of charts by adjusting colors and styles

Students will experience these analytic techniques:
- Create a hypothesis about global warming
- Test their hypothesis with statistical techniques
- Evaluate data to determine if their hypothesis is correct
- Learn to present data in an effective manner
learning goal

Other Details

Supply List
The student will provide their own computer running Excel, and should have a basic knowledge of using Excel.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
  • Excel
Sources
Climate data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be provided for the students to use.
Joined September, 2020
5.0
3reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
I am teaching classes on Excel and Google Sheets using climate data and analyzing global warming. Using these tools the students can produce amazing results and become fluent in basic data analysis.

Professionally I have been an IT developer and manager for over 20 years and have extensive background in data analysis using conventional and AI techniques. Leading projects and teams has taught me the fun of coaching my young team members. Providing formal training courses on data management in the US and Europe has taught me how to structure and present content to a wide variety of learners and learning styles.

Students want to learn, and want to be excellent at what they do. As coaches we have to give them the information and tools they need. Then providing a good bit of patience and pride in each of their achievements helps keep them enthusiastic.

In my spare time I enjoy playing the guitar, while there may be some doubt about how loud it should be, there is never doubt that it is fun!

Reviews

Live One-Time Class
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$12

per class

Meets once
55 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
4-6 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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