In this optional lesson, students investigate how to predict the temperature of a location in North America. This question is purposefully vague and is meant for students to think critically about the variables needed to model the situation with mathematics. 

Students begin by making a list of factors that influence outdoor temperatures. They then consider the effect of latitude on temperature. While these variables seem straight forward, different interpretations of them surface as students consider the statement “Temperature is a function of latitude” (MP1). Next, students develop a plan to collect data to see what, if any, association there is between these variables, or if they need to choose a different variable than latitude to predict temperature for a location in North America (MP4). Finally, students create a list of locations to compare and gather data in preparation to analyze the data in later lessons.