Interactive Labs › Biology labs
BBiologyMathematicsS3 to S6Health data
Malaria data lab: rainfall, mosquitoes and bed nets
Health workers plan bed nets and medicine using data. Study three years of monthly figures for one district and find out when malaria rises and what nets change.
LevelS3 to S6 (biology and statistics)
TimeAbout 40 min
You useGraphs, correlation, percentage change
PriceFree: no account
🎯 Aim
To analyse monthly rainfall and malaria data, find the time lag between rain and cases using the correlation coefficient, and measure the effect of insecticide-treated bed nets.
You will learn to
- Read and compare two time series.
- Use scatter graphs and the correlation coefficient with a time lag.
- Explain the lag with the life cycles of the mosquito and Plasmodium.
- Measure a percentage change and judge evidence: correlation is not causation.
🧭 What to do
- Look at the graph of rain and cases for 2021 to 2023.
- On the right, choose the same month, then 1 month before, 2 months before…
- Find the lag with the biggest r.
- Compare the cases in 2022 and 2023 (bed nets from January 2023).
- Answer the questions.
- Write your conclusion and download your lab report.
📋 The data
Example monthly data for one district, 2021–2023 (made for learning, not official figures).
🧠 Investigate: answer from the data
Type your answer and tap Check. Use 💡 Hint first; open the method only when you are stuck.
➕ Get more from this experiment
📝 Free
Print the worksheet (button above), download the data, and save your report. Teachers can project this page in class.
📦 Premium Lab Pack
1 000 RWF
- Data analysis worksheet with the full data set
- Life cycle of the mosquito and Plasmodium: notes and diagrams
- Teacher guide and answer key
- Exam-style questions on disease and data with marking scheme
👩🏫 For teachers
Use it as a practical when apparatus is missing, as homework, or as a project. Free lesson plans help you plan, teach and assess.
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