Understanding the roles of random selection and random assignment in experimental design is a central learning objective in most introductory statistics courses. This article describes an activity, appropriate for a high school or introductory statistics course, designed to teach the concepts, values and pitfalls of random selection and assignment…

Tossing a fair coin 1000 times can have an unexpected result. In the activities presented here, players keep track of the accumulated total for heads and tails after each toss, noting which player is in the lead or whether the players are tied. The winner is the player who was in the lead for the higher number of turns over the course of the game.…

In the criminal justice system, defendants accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Statistical inference in any context is built on an analogous principle: The null hypothesis--often a hypothesis of "no difference" or "no effect"--is presumed true unless there is sufficient evidence against it. In this…

Understanding counting rules is challenging for students; in particular, they struggle with determining when and how to implement combinations, permutations, and the multiplication rule as tools for counting large sets and computing probability. We present an activity--using ideas from the games of poker and pinochle--designed to help students…

This paper describes an interactive activity that revolves around the dice-based golf game GOLO. The GOLO game can be purchased at various retail locations or online at igolo.com. In addition, the game may be played online free of charge at igolo.com. The activity is completed in four parts. The four parts can be used in a sequence or they can be…

Much has been written on the subject of linking math and literature. However, the focus is usually on the incorporation of reading into a math class--how a teacher might use picture books, problems, or stories, in general, to bring enthusiasm and engagement into the math classroom. In this article, the authors propose that teachers think about…

Three experiments which use probabilities to approximate pi are described. (JT)

The probability of selecting two matching socks is discussed. (MNS)

Techniques that students can use to make predictions about performances in the Olympics include point estimation. This is used to estimate a single value using a set of data. A worksheet for students is included. (MNS)

Activities are described for a probability unit in which the Markov process is studied and applied to the weather. (DT)

This two-volume set is a self-help student text designed as an alternative to the standard algebra text. Each lesson is introduced by and centered around an application of the topic under discussion. For each lesson, questions are given covering the reading, testing understanding of the reading, and for discussion. Some sections contain questions…

Four answers to a probability problem involving a perceived coincidence are discussed. (MNS)

A random arrangement of two contrasting colors in a 20x20 array is used to facilitate students' understanding of the notions of randomness, independence, and long-run frequency. It can also be used to test some prevalent errors in probabilistic reasoning. Three activities are described. (MNS)

Annual records of the one-mile sun can be used to introduce a variety of statistical ideas including the scatter diagram, theoretical vs. observed values, and normal equations. (SD)

Activities in which the claims of psychics are evaluated can be used in probability classes. (SD)