Reproducing Data Analysis of a Published Phytoplankton Bioassay Experiment to Learn Standard Error

The ability to use conversion factors, calculate error, and evaluate the quality of data quantitatively is essential for student success in science fields. Specifically, within biological oceanography, the use of Redfield Ratios to determine nutrient limitation is a base concept. In this Excel-based lesson students reproduce a figure and analysis from a published scientific article detailing a phytoplankton bioassay experiment. As part of the lesson students calculate and propagate error and use Redfield Ratios to determine nutrient limitation. Conflicting quantitative results force students to evaluate the limitations of the experiment and justify their conclusions. Reproducing the results of the published journal article is meant to increase students’ confidence in their ability to complete actual science. Cohesively, this lesson aids in students’ working with the concept of nutrient limitation in phytoplankton, by using the scientific practices of interpreting error and conversions.