EDUCATION
“Understanding statistical concepts, particularly how data is acquired, how it is analyzed, and how the
results are interpreted is important for good citizenship. … People need to learn the importance of asking
‘impertinent’ questions, such as ‘What are the data supporting this?’ ‘Do these data make sense?’ ‘How was
this information generated?’ Statistics is also an attempt to understand the causes of variation in results. …
We strongly support the MWM concept of starting young people on the path to this understanding.”
- Peter Lachenbruch, ASA president
ASA Accepting Applications for Workshop
Second Meeting Within a Meeting to be held in conjunction with JSM in Denver
T
he American Statistical Association Katherine Halvorsen, MWM Program
is accepting applications for its sec- Committee chair.
ond annual statistics workshop for The first MWM focused
K–12 mathematics and science teachers. on middle-school teach-
Called Meeting Within a Meeting (MWM), ers and was a huge suc-
the program was developed to help teachers cess. Math and sci-
meet current mathematics and science ence teachers from
requirements that involve statistics educa- Utah and around
tion. The conference will be held August the United States
4–5 with the 2008 Joint Statistical Meetings attended interac-
in Denver, Colorado. tive sessions with
The National Council of Teachers of prominent sta-
Mathematics (NCTM) standards, most tistics educators
state mathematics standards, and the recent and statisticians.
College Board standards include require- Workshop par-
ments for teaching data analysis, statis- ticipants are cur-
tics, and probability. The ASA’s program rently taking part
is designed to enhance K–12 educators’ in MWM follow-up
understanding of statistics and provide activities, including
information and tools to help strengthen webinars, a meeting at
their teaching of statistics within the math NCTM, and other activi-
and science curriculum. ties with local ASA chapter
MWM 2008 will provide an opportu- members. Due to the success
nity for K–12 math and science teachers to of MWM 2007, the workshop
discuss and apply the data analysis and sta- will include K–12 teachers this year.
tistical concepts embodied in the Guidelines “One of the primary missions of the
for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics American Statistical Association is to work
Education (GAISE) Report: A Pre-K–12 for the improvement of statistical educa-
Curriculum Framework (www.amstat.org/ tion at all levels,” said Ron Wasserstein, the will not only
education/gaise). “Teachers will explore prob- ASA’s executive director. “We are pleased enhance under-
lems that require them to collect, organize, to reach out to the K–12 math and science standing and teaching of statistics con-
analyze, and draw conclusions from data community through the MWM work- cepts in the classroom, but also provide
and apply the basic concepts of probability. shop and follow-up activities. It is fitting participants with a network of statisticians
The MWM program will include examining to hold this workshop for K-12 teachers and educators to assist in developing the
what students can be expected to do at the in conjunction with the Joint Statistical quantitative literacy of their students.”
most basic level of understanding and what Meetings, where 6,000 statisticians from Teachers are encouraged to attend both
can be expected of them as their skill devel- around the world meet to share advances Monday and Tuesday sessions. Grade K–4
ops and their experience broadens,” said in statistical knowledge,” he added. “MWM and 9–12 teachers will attend their respective
APRIL 2008 AMSTAT NEWS 29
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