1. Game show Math – Using Plinko to teach Probability Session 56: 3:30 – 4:20 PM
Nirmala Naresh
Miami University, Ohio
Bridget McMahan
West lake school district, Ohio
Sunday, May 12, 2019

2. Agenda Introduce: Participants Research Inspirations / Standards
Plinko lesson - Overview
Plinko – Simulations (Collect Data)
Plinko – Explorations (Tree Diagrams)
Plinko – Connection to Pascal
Reflections
Sunday, May 12, 2019

3. What do the common core standards say?
Collect data on a chance situation; Observe long term frequency.
Develop a probability model and use it to find probabilities of events.
Compare probabilities from a model to observed frequencies; if the agreement is not good, explain possible sources of the discrepancy.
Find probabilities of compound events using organized lists, tables, tree diagrams, and simulation.
Sunday, May 12, 2019

4. The Plinko game from The Price is Right
Sunday, May 12, 2019

5. Plinko: Online simulation
Sunday, May 12, 2019

6. Plinko Pedagogical Experience
Lesson Implementation: Details
Group of sixth & seventh grade students
Lesson Implemented over 2 class periods
Two classroom teachers – One student teacher
Computer lab
Watch Video – Simulate Online – Simulate using Board & Calculator
Sunday, May 12, 2019

7. Plinko Adaptation Our board: 3 Starting & Ending slots Larger Board
9 starting slots; 9 ending slots
Our board: 3 Starting & Ending slots
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8. How to build a Plinko board?
Materials
Foam board / Cork Board / Cardboard
Push Pins
Plinko Chart
Poker Chips
Markers
Sunday, May 12, 2019

9. What are your chances of winning $5000 on this board?
Focus Questions
What are your chances of winning $5000 on this board?
If you were given only 1 chip to play on the small plinko board, which slot would you drop the chip in? Explain why you selected that slot.
Sunday, May 12, 2019

10. Collect data
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11. Calculator Simulation: Instructions
Focus question 1: What is the probability of winning $5000 on this board?
Calculator Simulation: Instructions
Select PRGM
Choose PLINKO
ENTER Twice
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12. How many paths? Some observations
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13. Theoretical Probability P(winning $5000) = 1/3 (1/2 + 1/2 + 1/2) = 1/2
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14. A comparison
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15. Pascal & Plinko
Number of possible paths using patterns of Pascal’s Triangle
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16. Student reflections: What did you learn?
Plinko is a probability game
Recognized that there is math in fun games like Plinko
I learned how to play plinko on a calculator
The probability of the data (experimental probability)
Difference between theoretical & experimental Probability
Better chance of winning with B
I also learning that going from B to B’ works the best – I will remember this when I go on the Price is right to play Plinko
Student reflections: What did you learn?
Sunday, May 12, 2019

17. Our Reflections
Importance of creating lessons that is interesting, yet engages students
Observations were helpful
Duration / student engagement / observe student frustrations & successes
Written work
Assessing student understanding / assessing my own work / how useful were the worksheets
Use student inputs to enhance their classroom plinko experience
Sunday, May 12, 2019

18. Thank you for your time! Let us talk more!
Do share other probability related projects you have used in your classes.
Questions?
Sunday, May 12, 2019