Students and teachers from local area high schools gave up their Saturday morning to take an exam hosted by the Department of Statistics and proctored by members of the George Mason University Stem Education Club on April 25.
More than 160 students from eight local high schools practiced their statistical knowledge by taking a mock Advanced Placement (AP) statistics exam, which served as real-time practice for the test that will be administered in early May by the College Board. High schools participating in the event were: Fairfax, Herndon, Oakton, John Champe, Woodson , Stonewall Jackson , Osbourne Park, and Robinson.
Assistant professor Beth Johnson, of the Volgenau School of Engineering's Department of Statistics, who organized the session said, "This event was a wonderful way for the university to make connections with the local community. Not only did it provide the students with valuable practice as they prepared for the actual exam, it also allowed teachers the opportunity to meet and discuss issues related to the AP Statistics curriculum."
As the students answered the free response and multiple-choice sections of the practice exam, their teachers discussed issues related to the AP Statistics curriculum and the scoring of exams.
Meta Smith, a mathematics teacher and department chair at Herndon High School, was excited about the opportunity and said she learned a great deal from the workshop. She hopes to recruit additional teachers and students for next year.
The event was partially sponsored by the Washington Statistical Society
and the American Statistical Association. Johnson, who has experience leading similar events at the University of South Carolina, The College of New Jersey, and Wilkes University, hosted the event.
The department anticipates hosting this event on a regular basis.
