Classroom Activities

Teaching Statistical Thinking with the Red Bead Experiment in Schools

Statistical thinking is an essential skill for students in our data-driven world, but making abstract concepts tangible and engaging can be challenging. Enter Dr. W. Edwards Deming’s Red Bead Experiment—a hands-on demonstration of statistical variation, process capability, and the impact of management systems on outcomes. Traditionally used in industrial and business settings, the Red Bead Experiment offers a powerful way to teach statistical thinking to students of all ages when adapted for the classroom.