Dealing with chance: between probability and gambling

Abstract

Probability is a competence area which has been explicitly introduced for the first time in lower secondary school with the Piano di studio della scuola dell’obbligo ticinese (DECS, 2015). This area is often considered difficult and dense with stereotypes. Given the recent introduction into the curriculum, a first experience was tested and promoted in four 7th-grade classes. In particular, a first approach to calculating probabilities was developed, taking advantage of two facts: on the one hand, the mathematical skills related to the application of fractions; on the other hand, the spontaneous curiosity towards the theme of gambling. In this path, the activities aimed at raising awareness of the risks and mechanism of gambling.