Crack the Holland Code Approximate Time Needed: 30 minutes Lesson Summary: Students will be introduced to the Holland Code and apply mathematical concepts to figure out how many total combinations are possible for the code (i.e. computations and permutations). Lesson Objective: Students will learn a valuable and useful mathematical concept while gaining an understanding of the Holland Code, a widely used personality assessment test. Materials and Resources: The Holland Code Variable Sheet ECOS Profile, if students are interested in taking the test Helpful Hints: If time permits, the teacher may ask the students to take the Holland test to observe the number of possible code combinations first hand. The test is offered on the ECOS system. Note: The scientific test requires a fee. The counselor's office may be able to provide a random set of scores or the students' actual scores, depending on privacy issues. ECOS also offers an unscientific format of the test appropriate for the lesson. Activities: Give students a general background on the Holland Code if students do not know of the assessment. Review the reasons for the test. The Holland Code Variable Sheet should be distributed to the class as a handout. Ask students to guess the total number of possible combinations for the Holland Code. See Possible Adaptations. Introduce and explain the concept of computing variable combinations to the students. Evaluation: A quiz presenting several alternate conditions for the Holland Code in which the number of positions and variables are manipulated. Possible Adaptations: Step #2 in the Activity could be adapted into a game. Have each student write his or her guess on a scrap of paper to be view after the lesson is completed successfully. The student, who is closest without going over, wins a prize (e.g. candy, a class privilege, get out of detention free card, etc.).