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Probability activities from epiSTEMe


The resources in this collection are a selection of the probability activities that were developed by the epiSTEMe project. More information about the project can be found at the bottom of this page.



These classroom activities are intended to support the use of classroom dialogue to elicit and examine differing points of view in problem situations.

The tasks are framed in ways intended to build students' ability to think as mathematicians, and support key conceptual advances. In particular, many tasks have been designed to trigger critical examination of common misconceptions.

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow star

What Do You Know about Probability? (1)

What is special about dice?
How can we use dice to explore probability?

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow star

What do you know about Probability? (2)

What are the likelihoods of different events when you roll a dice?

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow star

Tools for Thinking about Probability

Can you design your own probability scale?
How do you describe the different parts?

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow star

A Brief History of Probability

Can you help d'Alembert discover the probabilty of at least one head in two coin flips?

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow star

Chance Combinations

Can you design a bingo board that gives you the best chance of winning?



Notes on the complete Probability module are available here.

The epiSTEMe project researchers would like to understand where and how the epiSTEMe materials are being used. If you are interested in using the complete set of resources, including PowerPoint slides, please contact Prof Kenneth Ruthven.


You may also be interested in the other modules developed by the epiSTEMe project:

The Introductory module builds understanding of the value of talk and dialogue, and develops rules and processes needed to underpin effective small-group and whole-class discussion.

Further Topic Modules stimulate talk and dialogue and capitalise on them to support student reasoning and reflection. As well as probability, there are modules on Fractions, Ratio and Proportion; Electricity; and Forces.

These can be accessed from the epiSTEMe teaching materials page.

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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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