Classes: Illusions and Delusions, Precalculus: Functions
Grades: 11, 12
Teachers: Mr. Adjout, Ms. Warren

AT&T is using UFOs to abduct those using other cellular providers. Fortnite events are leading to natural disasters. Playing Among Us creates serial killers. All of these statements- however outlandish and nonsensical- have been “proven” by students. But how?

With the goal of learning how data and numbers can be used to present different messages, Mr. Adjout’s illusions and delusions class joined with Ms. Warren’s 11th grade precalculus class for this illusion of data project. To complete the assignment, students needed to create two different and opposing narratives with the same set(s) of data, explain how data can be manipulated, and visualize their findings in the end. The project was designed to showcase how data and numbers can not only communicate information, but also mislead and tell conflicting stories.

Some students asked about math. They weren’t sure where the math was in this project. We explained to them that math doesn’t necessarily mean playing with numbers. They were doing math differently, by looking at real-life applications of mathematical skills.

-Mr. Adjout

After completing the project, the illusion of data findings were presented in a gallery exhibit. Teachers, faculty, and fellow students toured the different projects and heard from students about what they chose to analyze. Many of the projects were met with laughter, intrigue, and initial confusion upon reading headlines such as “Direct Correlation between Fortnite Events and Natural Disasters,” “Wardell Stephen Curry III, GOAT,” and “Playing Among Us Creates Serial Killers”. Each project included graphs and maps, a hypothetical connection between two unlikely sets of data, and a concluding statement.

Looking ahead, students will utilize the new perspectives on mathematics and data to contextualize what they continue to study in class. Furthermore, the project itself is a timely exercise in media literacy that will continue to inform how to engage with data online.