Talks and Presentations

Talks and Presentations

PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS

The Best Math Course I Ever Taught

Tired of hearing “When will I ever use this stuff?” Want to bring real-life applications of mathematics to students headed for almost every field? Teach AP Statistics – and don’t restrict enrollment. This AP course is for everyone!

Lines of Best Fit – Fact and Fiction

How and why does linear regression work? What do lines of best fit really say? And what common misunderstanding appears frequently in textbooks and on exams?

Why Variances Add – And Why It Matters

The variance of the sum or difference of two independent random variables is the sum of their variances. After the Central Limit Theorem, this is the most important result in Statistics, yet it vexes students (and often their teachers as well!) We’ll see why the Pythagorean Theorem of Statistics is true, explore ways to explain it to students, and examine important insights it reveals about binomial probabilities, statistical inference, and even the Central Limit theorem itself.

Is That an Assumption or a Condition?

In Statistics it’s essential that we look before we leap: failure to check assumptions and conditions can lead to inappropriate analyses and incorrect conclusions. But why do we check what we check? And what’s the difference between an assumption and a condition anyway? These insights will lead you and your students to deeper understanding of statistical inference.

Making Inference Make Sense

How can we help students understand statistical inference? Begin preparing them from the opening day of class by foreshadowing the key concepts and developing the statistical thinking they’ll need. Early on students can see that statisticians compare real data to theoretical models, comparisons that are valid only under certain assumptions. Inference concepts grow logically from these roots, sprouting in an order that allows students to build a solid understanding – one new idea at a time.

Making Regression Inference Make Sense

Inference for linear regression is one of the most challenging topics we teach in AP Statistics, but it also has the greatest potential to unify and reinforce several important ideas and skills. We’ll look at the underlying concepts and conditions, examine an interesting sampling distribution, and explore effective ways to teach these ideas. It’s the perfect end-of-course, reviewing many key ideas and preparing students for the impending AP exam.

Making Statistics Make Sense (in AP Bio)

Testing hypotheses about genetics without much familiarity with Statistics is sure to raise some vexing questions among AP Bio students (and their teachers…)! What’s the reasoning behind hypothesis testing? What does a chi-square calculation measure? What does a P-value mean? What can (and can’t) we conclude?

Probability and Statistics in Middle Schools

Why is probability so tough to teach? Well, because the ideas are hard! We’ll explore some of the issues through the eyes of your students, and examine lessons that can help kids with probability. And then we’ll explore some common misunderstandings, misapplications, and misuses of Statistics.