Students in Mrs. Gustafson's seventh-grade math class used what they learned about probability to design games of chance and have a carnival on Dec. 20. The students were assigned a certain probability. They designed a game using dice, cards or spinners. The students made posters explaining the rules of the game, how to win and the theoretical probability of winning the game. Sixth-grade math classes, as well as faculty and staff, were invited to come during the day to play the games and win prizes. The seventh-grade math students recorded data for the number of winners and compared the results (experimental probability) to the theoretical probability.
Mason Hoose, Lake Sivak, Katelyn Winans and Zachery Craker watched as Tim Ingerson played the game they developed called ''Santa versus The Grinch.'' Students tried to pick a Santa card to win the game that had a probability of one in two. At the end of the day, the students discovered that the experimental probability was very close to what they predicted - 48 out of 98 people won.
Andrew Mayberry, Micaela Matteson and Ben Brooks showed off the game they designed, called ''Frosty's Chart of Wonder.'' To win this game, players rolled two dice, and if the row and column met at a picture of Frosty, they were a winner. If they met at a picture of Professor Hinkle, they lost. The probability of winning was designed to be 19 out of 36.
Sixth-grade teacher Miss Salter tried her luck at the ''Flamingo Game.'' Olivia Volk, Joey Kephart and Alec Overfield designed the game with special dice that have a flamingo instead of a one. To win you must roll a flamingo. The probability of winning the game was 11 out of 36. The student's data showed that of the 70 players, 22 won.
The sixth-grade students were introduced to probability at the carnival. Evelyn Rowan said, ''I thought that the probability games were fun and educational. I really enjoyed them.'' Josh Miller said, ''The carnival in Mrs. Gustafson's room was fun. The prizes were very cool and the games were about chance. All the games were unique in their own way.''