Trisha Snow

Math 1040 -006

Skittle Data Group Project Reflection

This semester I worked together with a group of my peers to perform various statistical

analyses with Skittles. At the beginning of the semester and project I felt overwhelmed and

disjointed from this random data/numbers. As we worked through the project the numbers started

to become more structured such as when I calculated the proportion of the skittle colors found in

each bag and how they related to all the other bags.

Once the data was structured in my mind the task became much less intimidating. I could

start to manipulate the data into histograms and eventually develop confidence intervals and

make projections or hypotheses regarding the material. This gives you a feeling of power and

confidence. I believe once you have that confidence with working with a material, you are able

to accomplish much more and enjoy the process.

This project helped me not only to learn the material required for the course but to gain a

better understanding of just how much we use statistics in our daily lives. There are so many

little actions that we dont even think about as statistics such as when youre shopping for an

item and comparing costs, quantities, etc. to get the best deal or find the product thats going to

be the most consistent in giving you what they report they will.

The biggest area that I can foresee myself using statistics in is my future career as an

occupational therapist. As Im evaluating patients, programs, and communities needs, etc. I can

see myself needing to sample, evaluate results, and project hypotheses. Overall this has been a

stretching but beneficial learning experience.