Grade 6 Science And Technology Interacting With Computing Devices – Handling Data Notes

Handling Data

Topic: Interacting With Computing Devices — Science and Technology (Kenya) Age: 11 years Short idea: Data are pieces of information. Handling data means collecting, organising, storing, showing and keeping data safe.

Why data matter in Kenya

• Farmers check weather data to know when to plant and harvest.
• Teachers use attendance data to know who is in class.
• Mobile money (e.g., M-Pesa) creates transaction data to record payments.
• Health clinics use data to know which vaccines children have received.

Main steps to handle data

1. Collect – ask or measure (e.g., count students, record temperatures).
2. Organise – put data into rows and columns (a table) or lists.
3. Store – save on a computer, tablet, or memory card; make a backup.
4. Present – show data with tables or charts (bar charts, pictures).
5. Protect – keep private information safe (no sharing of passwords).

Types of data (easy examples)

• Text – names, addresses (e.g., "Njeri").
• Numbers – ages, marks, rainfall (mm).
• Images – photos of crops or plants.
• Sound – voice messages or recordings.

Simple diagram: How data moves

Activity: Collect and show favourite fruits (class of 10)

Step-by-step (no computer needed to start):

1. Ask 9 classmates and yourself: "What is your favourite fruit?"
2. Write answers in a table like below.

Make a simple bar chart by counting

If Mango = 4, Banana = 3, Orange = 3, draw bars (longer bar = more people):

Good habits when handling data

• Always check data for mistakes (typos or wrong numbers).
• Save your work early and often on a computer or flash drive.
• Keep a backup copy (e.g., on an external drive or cloud with a parent/teacher).
• Do not share personal data (ID number, phone number) without permission.
• Ask a teacher or guardian before using someone else's data.

Short quiz (try these)

1. What is data? (Answer: Pieces of information like names or numbers.)
2. Name one way to collect data. (Answer: Ask questions, measure, take photos.)
3. Why is backup important? (Answer: To keep a copy if the first is lost.)
4. Give one example of data in your town. (Answer: Weather, school attendance, market prices.)
5. Should you share your password? (Answer: No — keep it secret.)

Glossary (simple)

Data

Information about something or someone.

Record

One row in a table (e.g., one student's details).

Field

One piece of information (e.g., name, age).

Backup

A saved copy of data in another place.

Chart

A picture that shows data (bar chart, pie chart).

Tip: Use your phone or a school tablet to collect data, but always ask for permission first. Happy exploring! 📱📊🌦️