What is the probability of a kiss? (It's not what you think)

Abstract

This paper begins by describing two-hands-on activities for teaching basic statistical concepts to junior high students. Through generating, collecting, displaying, and analyzing data, students are given the opportunity to explore a variety of descriptive statistical techniques and develop an understanding of the distinction between theoretical, subjective, and empirical (or experimental) probabilities. These activities are then extended to introduce the sampling distribution of a sample proportion. The extension is appropriate for use in grades 9 through 12, in an Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics course, or in an introductory statistics course at the undergraduate level. Copyright © 2002 by Mary Richardson and Susan Haller, all rights reserved.