High School Grade  Project 1 week

Permutations Party: Count Your Chances!

Shelley N
Anchor Standard 6
Making art
Strategic planning
Influencing government
Social equity
+ 1 more
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Purpose

This project aims to deepen students' understanding of probability principles through hands-on exploration and artistic expression, merging math with real-world implications of gambling. Students will engage in activities that skillfully balance mathematical concepts with social and economic equity considerations. Through simulation, creation, and reflection, students will develop strategic thinking while articulating the ethical and practical dimensions of probability in gambling scenarios.

Learning goals

Students will investigate the Fundamental Counting Principle, permutations, and combinations, applying these concepts to calculate probabilities in card games. They will develop nuanced understanding of how strategic planning can improve winning chances while exploring economic and social equity issues related to gambling. Through project activities, students will express their insights artistically by creating a PSA, and critically analyze the moral implications of gambling via debate and reflection. These experiences aim to foster comprehensive competencies in problem-solving, politics, and artistic expression.
Standards
  • [National Core Arts Standards] Anchor Standard 6 - Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
Competencies
  • Artistic Expression - Making art (FK.AC.1.b)
  • Problem Solving - Strategic planning (OT.PS.2.d)
  • Politics - Influencing government (FK.SS.2.a)
  • Politics - Social equity (FK.SS.2.c)
  • Politics - Economic equity (FK.SS.2.d)

Products

Throughout the project, students will craft a Public Service Announcement (PSA) focused on responsible gambling practices, demonstrating their understanding of probability and its implications. They will collaboratively design and present interactive games at the 'Probability Fair,' using strategic permutations and combinations to illustrate key concepts. Additionally, students will compose reflection journals detailing their strategies and learnings from the simulated 'Casino Night,' contributing personal insights into the ethical facets of gambling.

Launch

Organize a captivating 'Casino Night Simulation' where students can engage in various casino-style games such as poker, blackjack, and roulette. As they play, students will record outcomes and calculate probabilities for different scenarios using permutations and combinations. The activity creates a lively atmosphere and provides a real-world context that sets the stage for deeper exploration of gambling strategies and decision-making informed by mathematical understanding.

Exhibition

During the Probability Fair, students will showcase interactive stations where peers can engage in card games and gambling simulations based on permutations, combinations, and probability calculations. Each station will include visually compelling presentations explaining how mathematical concepts influence winning odds, accompanied by students' PSAs about gambling awareness. The fair will involve a collaborative ambiance, encouraging visitors to join discussions, ask questions, and learn from each other’s insights, highlighting the strategic and ethical dimensions of gambling through probability.