Here's a sweet activity! As part of a study of psychological research methods and statistic gathering, individuals develop a hypothesis about the number of each color of M&Ms in a fun-size package. They then count the number of each color, record their findings on a frequency distribution data sheet, and compare their findings to their prediction.

Concepts

sampling, random sampling, scientific research, statistics

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• To underscore the concept that variability decreases as sample size increases, combine that findings of pairs, then groups, and finally of the entire class
• The activity is also appropriate for statistics classes

Classroom Considerations

• The second activity in a three-part sequence on psychology research methods and statistics
• Best used with the attached reference sheet
• Requires purchase of fun-size packs of plain M&M's

Pros

• The resource includes information about the history of M&Ms, statistics provided by the manufacturer about color distribution, and a template for the frequency distribution data sheet

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.1.a SL.11-12.1.a