Relevant Aspects on Teaching Probability and Statistics in Basic General Education

Probability and Statistics were included in the Basic General Education curricula by the Ministry of Public Education (Costa Rica), since 1995. To analyze the teaching reality in these fields, a research was conducted in two educational regions of the country: Heredia and Pérez Zeledón. The survey included university training and updating processes of teachers teaching Statistics and Probability in the schools. The research demonstrated the limited university training in these fields, the dissatisfaction of teachers about it, and the poor support of training institutions to their professional exercise.

Obstacle courses… nature, recreation, and health abstract

Obstacle courses are an activity that brings a group of people together, in which teams are organized to navigate an established route during a set period of time, completing tasks (clues, riddles, or challenges) to meet a defined goal.  Rules and safety norms are explained to all participants; however, they are not informed of the location of the clues, riddles, or challenges.  The following should be considered when organizing an obstacle course: objective, topic to be developed, location, materials needed, clues, riddles or challenges that may be included, and how to supervise that all teams pass the checkpoints.  Like any other activity with a touch of competitiveness, fair play and respect should be above any interest.  If, for any reason, any of the teams has an emergency, solidarity should prevail, and the activity can be used to teach values.  An adventurous spirit is also essential in this activity.  The desire for the unknown and the new challenges individuals and groups.  This activity helps groups of friends, children, adults, families, etc. share a nice and healthy day together in contact with nature, rescuing concepts such as cooperation, cleverness and, particularly, team work.