Risk Evaluation Script

Warm-Up: What's the Risk? (5 minutes)

"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super important for staying safe and making good decisions: 'Risky Business? Let's Find Out!' This lesson is all about how we can become detectives for potential problems and make smart choices.

To start, let's play a quick 'What's the Risk?' game. Look at Slide 1. I want you to quickly think about one everyday situation that involves some kind of risk. For example, crossing the street, riding a bike, or even choosing what to eat for lunch! Don't overthink it, just tell me the first thing that comes to mind."

(Allow a few students to share their initial thoughts and briefly discuss.)

"Great examples! Now, let's dive deeper into how we actually figure out what's risky and what's not."

Introduction to Risk Evaluation (10 minutes)

"Take a look at Slide 2: 'What is Risk Evaluation?' Think of yourselves as 'Risk Detectives.' Our job is to investigate situations to understand what might go wrong.

Risk evaluation is like being a detective for potential problems! We look at three main things:

1. What could go wrong? This is the Risk itself. Is it tripping, getting a bad grade, or losing your phone?
2. How likely is it? This is the Likelihood. Is it something that happens all the time, or almost never?
3. How bad could it be? This is the Impact. If it does happen, how serious are the consequences?

By thinking about these three things, we can make safer, smarter choices. Why do you think it's important to evaluate risks? What's the benefit?"

(Facilitate a brief Discussion here. Encourage students to share real-life examples of why this is important for them.)

"Exactly! It helps us avoid problems, stay safe, and be prepared. Now, let's break down those two big words: Likelihood and Impact. Look at Slide 3."

"Likelihood is all about probability. How likely is it that something will happen? We can think about it on a scale: Very Unlikely, Unlikely, Possible, Likely, or Very Likely. For example, is it 'likely' that I'll spill water if I carry an open cup while running?

And Impact is about how serious the consequences would be. Would it be Low (a minor inconvenience), Medium (some problems, but manageable), or High (serious harm or damage)? If I spill that water, is the impact low (just a wet floor) or high (I spill it on a delicate electrical device)?

Can anyone give me an example of something with a 'likely' likelihood and a 'low' impact? What about something with an 'unlikely' likelihood but a 'high' impact?"

(Allow students to offer examples and discuss briefly.)

"Sometimes it helps to see this in action. Let's watch a short video that shows how risks pop up in our daily lives. This will help us get better at spotting them. Look at Slide 4."

(Play selected video - Teacher to add a relevant age-appropriate video on identifying risks. If no video, discuss more examples.)

Identifying and Assessing Risks Activity (15 minutes)

"Now, it's your turn to be risk detectives! I'm going to divide you into small groups, and each group will receive a Risk Scenario Card. Look at Slide 5."

"For your scenario, I want your group to discuss these questions:

• What are the risks in this situation?
• How likely are they to happen? (Use our scale: Very Unlikely to Very Likely)
• What would be the impact if they did happen? (Low, Medium, High)
• What can you do to make it safer? (Think about ways to reduce the likelihood or the impact.)"

"I'll be circulating to listen to your discussions and help out. Remember, teamwork makes the dream work! You have 15 minutes for this activity. Go ahead and get into your groups."

(Circulate among groups, listen to discussions, ask probing questions, and offer guidance as needed. Ensure all groups are engaged.)

Risk Evaluation Worksheet & Discussion (10 minutes)

"Excellent work, risk detectives! Now, let's take those thinking skills and put them down on paper. Look at Slide 6."

"I'm going to hand out this Risk Evaluation Worksheet. You can choose one of the scenarios you discussed in your group, or you can think of a different everyday situation that you or someone you know might face. Individually, I want you to identify the risks, assess their likelihood and impact, and then brainstorm some mitigation strategies.

We'll take about 7 minutes to work on this individually, and then we'll come back together to share a few examples and discuss them as a class. I have an Answer Key that we can use to guide our discussion."

(Distribute worksheets. After 7 minutes, call students back to attention.)

"Alright, who would like to share one risk they identified and how they evaluated it? What was the likelihood and impact? And what mitigation strategy did you come up with?"

(Use the Answer Key to facilitate a brief discussion of a few student examples, correcting misunderstandings and reinforcing concepts.)

Risk Mitigation Game: 'Safety Superheroes' (15 minutes)

"You've done a fantastic job identifying and assessing risks. But what do we do once we know about a risk? We try to prevent it or lessen its impact! This is called risk mitigation.

It's time for our 'Safety Superheroes' game! Look at Slide 7. I'm going to explain the rules. (Teacher explains the rules of the Risk Mitigation Game).

"Divide yourselves back into the same teams. Each team will get a new scenario, and your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to come up with the most creative and effective ways to mitigate the risks in your scenario. The team with the most innovative and practical solutions wins! You have 10 minutes to plan and then we'll share."

(Facilitate the game. After the game, debrief with the class, highlighting successful strategies and emphasizing that thinking ahead is key to safety.)

Reading & Project Introduction (5 minutes)

"You've been amazing risk evaluators and safety superheroes today! To continue your learning, I've prepared a Risk Evaluation Reading that you can look at for homework or just to learn more about this topic. You can find it on Slide 8."

"And for those of you who really want to put your new skills to the test, we have an exciting challenge: the Risk Management Project! This project will give you the chance to apply everything you've learned to a real-life situation that you care about. I've also provided a Project Rubric so you know exactly what's expected."

"We'll talk more about the project next time, but start thinking about a situation where you could apply risk evaluation."

Cool-Down: My Safety Pledge (5 minutes)

"As we wrap up today, let's take a moment to reflect. Look at Slide 9."

"What's one important thing you learned about evaluating risks today? And how will you use your new 'Risk Detective' skills in your daily life? I want you to complete this Cool Down Reflection and make your own 'Safety Pledge.' It's a promise to yourself to use what you've learned to be safer and smarter."

(Collect the cool-down reflections.)

Assessment (Optional Homework) (N/A)

"To see how well you've grasped these important concepts, I've created a Risk Evaluation Quiz and a Risk Evaluation Test. These are optional homework assignments that you can complete to test your knowledge. The Answer Key is also available if you want to check your work!"

Warm Up: What's the Risk?

Instructions: Think about your day so far or a common activity you do. In the space below, briefly describe one situation you might encounter that involves some kind of risk. Then, write down one thing you could do to make that situation safer.

Example:

• Situation: Walking to school with headphones on.
• Risk: Not hearing traffic or people approaching.
• Make it Safer: Keep one headphone out or lower the volume so I can still hear my surroundings.

Your Turn:

Situation:

Risk:

Make it Safer:

Risk Scenario Cards

Instructions for Students: In your groups, read your assigned scenario. Discuss the following:

1. Identify the Risks: What potential problems or dangers could arise in this situation?
2. Assess Likelihood: How likely is each risk to happen? (Very Unlikely, Unlikely, Possible, Likely, Very Likely)
3. Assess Impact: How serious would the consequences be if each risk occurred? (Low, Medium, High)
4. Brainstorm Mitigation: What can you do to reduce the likelihood or impact of each risk? (Make it safer or less damaging)

Scenario 1: The Bike Ride to the Park

You and your friends decide to ride your bikes to a park across town. The route involves busy streets, a few intersections with traffic lights, and a small section of bike path that sometimes has pedestrians.

• Risks:
  
  
  
• Likelihood/Impact:
  
  
  
• Mitigation Strategies:
  
  
  

Scenario 2: Cooking Dinner Alone

Your parents are out, and you decide to make dinner for yourself using the stove. You haven't cooked much before, but you found a recipe online that looks easy. You're also a bit distracted by a show on TV.

• Risks:
  
  
  
• Likelihood/Impact:
  
  
  
• Mitigation Strategies:
  
  
  

Scenario 3: Online Gaming with Strangers

You are playing your favorite online multiplayer game. You've joined a public server and some players you don't know are asking for your personal information, like your full name and where you live. They also want you to join a private chat outside of the game.

• Risks:
  
  
  
• Likelihood/Impact:
  
  
  
• Mitigation Strategies:
  
  
  

Scenario 4: The School Project Group

You are working on an important group project for school due next week. One of your group members hasn't been doing their part, and you're worried your grade will suffer. They keep saying they'll do it

Risk Evaluation Worksheet: Be a Risk Detective!

Instructions: Choose one of the scenarios from the Risk Scenario Cards or think of a different everyday situation (e.g., trying a new sport, walking home alone, using a new app). Fill out the sections below to evaluate the risks involved.

My Chosen Scenario/Situation:

1. Identify Potential Risks

What are the specific problems or dangers that could happen in this situation? List at least two.

• Risk 1:
  
  
  
• Risk 2:
  
  
  
• Risk 3 (Optional):
  
  
  

2. Evaluate Likelihood and Impact

For each risk you identified, how likely is it to happen, and how serious would the consequences be?

Risk 1:

• Likelihood (circle one): Very Unlikely / Unlikely / Possible / Likely / Very Likely
• Impact (circle one): Low / Medium / High

Risk 2:

• Likelihood (circle one): Very Unlikely / Unlikely / Possible / Likely / Very Likely
• Impact (circle one): Low / Medium / High

Risk 3 (Optional):

• Likelihood (circle one): Very Unlikely / Unlikely / Possible / Likely / Very Likely
• Impact (circle one): Low / Medium / High

3. Brainstorm Mitigation Strategies

For each risk, what steps can you take to reduce the chance of it happening (likelihood) or lessen how bad it would be if it did happen (impact)?

For Risk 1:

• Strategy 1:
  
  
  
• Strategy 2:
  
  
  

For Risk 2:

• Strategy 1:
  
  
  
• Strategy 2:
  
  
  

For Risk 3 (Optional):

• Strategy 1:
  
  
  
• Strategy 2:
  
  
  

4. Personal Reflection

After evaluating this situation, do you feel more prepared to handle it? Why or why not?

Risk Evaluation Discussion: Why Bother?

Instructions for Teacher: Use these prompts to facilitate a brief class discussion after introducing the basic concepts of risk, likelihood, and impact.

Discussion Prompts:

1. Opening Question: We just talked about what risk evaluation is. But why do you think it's important to stop and think about potential risks before we act? What's the benefit of being a "risk detective"?

   • Possible follow-up: Can you think of a time when not thinking about a risk led to a problem?

2. Personal Relevance: How might evaluating risks help you in your daily life, even with small decisions? Think about things you do at home, at school, or with friends.

   • Possible follow-up: Is there a situation you've faced recently where knowing about risk evaluation would have been helpful?

3. Big Decisions: Beyond small daily choices, where else in life do you think risk evaluation becomes really important? (e.g., choosing a high school, a career, trying something new and challenging).

   • Possible follow-up: Why are these bigger decisions often harder to evaluate for risks?

4. Community Impact: How might understanding risk evaluation help our whole community or school? (e.g., preventing accidents, planning for events, dealing with emergencies).

   • Possible follow-up: Can you think of any school rules or procedures that are in place because someone evaluated a risk?

5. Taking Healthy Risks: Does evaluating risks mean we should never take risks? Are there such things as "good" or "healthy" risks to take? How can risk evaluation help us decide which risks are worth taking?

   • Possible follow-up: What's the difference between a "healthy" risk and a "foolish" risk?

Risk Mitigation Game: Safety Superheroes!

Goal: To creatively and effectively come up with strategies to mitigate (reduce or prevent) risks in various scenarios.

Players: Teams of 3-4 students.

Materials:

• Scenario cards (can reuse/modify Risk Scenario Cards or create new ones focusing on mitigation)
• Large paper or whiteboard space for each team
• Markers/Pens
• Timer

How to Play:

1. Team Up! Divide the class into small teams (e.g., 3-4 students per team).

2. Scenario Time: Each team receives a new scenario card (or a modified one from the previous activity). This time, the focus is entirely on mitigation.

3. Brainstorm Strategies (7 minutes):

   • Teams have 7 minutes to brainstorm as many creative and practical risk mitigation strategies as they can for their scenario.
   • Encourage them to think outside the box! Strategies can aim to:
     • Reduce Likelihood: Make it less likely the risk will happen.
     • Reduce Impact: Make it less severe if the risk does happen.
     • Transfer Risk: Share the risk with someone else (e.g., insurance, asking for help).
     • Avoid Risk: Choose not to engage in the activity at all (if appropriate).
   • They should list their strategies on their paper/whiteboard.

4. Present Solutions (1 minute per team):

   • Each team will present their top 2-3 most innovative and effective mitigation strategies to the class.
   • Encourage clear explanations of how their strategy mitigates the risk.

5. Class Vote/Teacher Judging:

   • After all teams have presented, the class can vote on the "Most Creative" or "Most Effective" mitigation strategy for each scenario, or the teacher can judge based on originality and practicality.

Teacher Tips:

• Emphasize that there are often many ways to mitigate a risk.
• Encourage realistic and actionable strategies.
• Keep the energy high! This is meant to be a fun way to apply learning.

Example Scenario for Game (Teacher can copy and modify for teams):

Scenario: Preparing for a Big School Presentation

Risks Identified: Forgetting lines, technology not working, running out of time, audience boredom.

Your Team's Mission: Brainstorm and present strategies to mitigate these risks and ensure a successful presentation!

Risk Evaluation Answer Key

This answer key provides guidance for evaluating student responses on the Risk Evaluation Worksheet and the forthcoming Risk Evaluation Quiz and Risk Evaluation Test.

For the Risk Evaluation Worksheet:

General Approach: Student responses for identifying risks, likelihood, impact, and mitigation strategies will vary based on their chosen scenario. The goal is to assess their understanding of the process of risk evaluation.

Scoring Guidelines:

• My Chosen Scenario/Situation:

  • Excellent: Clearly describes a specific, relevant situation with potential risks.
  • Good: Describes a situation, but it might be a bit general or less clear.
  • Needs Improvement: Vague or irrelevant situation.

• 1. Identify Potential Risks:

  • Excellent: Identifies at least two distinct and plausible risks directly related to the scenario.
  • Good: Identifies risks, but they might be too general or only one is clearly distinct.
  • Needs Improvement: Fails to identify clear risks or risks are unrelated.

• 2. Evaluate Likelihood and Impact:

  • Excellent: Accurately assigns likelihood and impact ratings for each identified risk, with logical reasoning implied or stated.
  • Good: Assigns ratings, but the reasoning might be slightly inconsistent or less clear.
  • Needs Improvement: Ratings are inconsistent, illogical, or missing.

• 3. Brainstorm Mitigation Strategies:

  • Excellent: Provides at least two concrete, actionable, and effective mitigation strategies for each risk. Strategies should clearly aim to reduce likelihood or impact.
  • Good: Offers strategies, but they might be less specific, less effective, or only one per risk.
  • Needs Improvement: Strategies are vague, impractical, or missing.

• 4. Personal Reflection:

  • Excellent: Thoughtful reflection explaining why they feel more or less prepared, demonstrating a clear understanding of the benefits of risk evaluation.
  • Good: Basic reflection that states preparedness but lacks deeper explanation.
  • Needs Improvement: Minimal or irrelevant reflection.

For the Risk Evaluation Quiz and Risk Evaluation Test:

General Principle: Correct answers will demonstrate an understanding of key terms (risk, likelihood, impact, mitigation), the process of identifying and assessing risks, and the ability to apply these concepts to given scenarios.

Key Concepts to Check For:

• Definition of Risk: A potential event or circumstance that could lead to negative consequences.
• Likelihood: The probability of a risk occurring (e.g., low, medium, high or very unlikely to very likely).
• Impact: The severity of the consequences if a risk occurs (e.g., low, medium, high).
• Risk Evaluation Process: Identifying risks -> Assessing likelihood and impact -> Developing mitigation strategies.
• Mitigation Strategies: Actions taken to reduce the likelihood or impact of a risk (e.g., prevention, preparedness, avoidance, transfer).
• Examples of Risks: Common dangers in daily life (e.g., accidents, cyberbullying, academic failure).
• Examples of Mitigation: Wearing a helmet, looking both ways, studying, talking to a trusted adult, using privacy settings.

(Specific answers for the quiz and test questions will be provided with those materials.)

Risk Management Project: My Everyday Safety Plan

Project Goal:

To apply your understanding of risk evaluation and mitigation by creating a personal "Safety Plan" for a real-life situation you might encounter. This project will demonstrate your ability to identify, assess, and develop strategies for managing risks.

Project Steps:

Step 1: Choose Your Scenario (Due: Day X)

Think about a real-life situation that is relevant to you, your school, or your community, where understanding risks would be helpful. This could be:

• A common activity: e.g., using social media, walking home, playing a sport, cooking.
• A future event: e.g., planning a school trip, preparing for high school, a part-time job.
• A safety concern: e.g., cyberbullying, personal safety, managing online privacy.

Task: Briefly describe your chosen scenario and explain why you think it involves potential risks. (Approx. 2-3 sentences)

Step 2: Identify and Evaluate Risks (Due: Day Y)

For your chosen scenario, brainstorm and list at least three specific risks that could occur. For each risk, you must:

1. Describe the Risk: Clearly state what could go wrong.
2. Assess Likelihood: Estimate how likely it is to happen (e.g., Very Unlikely, Unlikely, Possible, Likely, Very Likely) and explain why.
3. Assess Impact: Determine how serious the consequences would be if it happened (e.g., Low, Medium, High) and explain why.

Step 3: Develop Mitigation Strategies (Due: Day Z)

For each of the three risks you identified in Step 2, develop at least two different mitigation strategies. Your strategies should aim to either:

• Reduce Likelihood: Make the risk less likely to happen.
• Reduce Impact: Lessen the severity of the consequences if the risk does happen.

Task: Clearly explain each strategy and how it helps manage the risk.

Step 4: Create Your Safety Plan Presentation/Report (Due: Day A)

Compile all your work into a clear and organized "Safety Plan." You can choose to present your plan in one of the following formats:

• Presentation (5-7 minutes): Use slides (like our Slide Deck) or a poster board to present your scenario, identified risks, evaluations, and mitigation strategies to the class.
• Written Report (2-3 pages): Write a detailed report that clearly outlines all parts of your safety plan.
• Video Report (3-5 minutes): Create a short video explaining your scenario, risks, and safety plan (like the video concept in our Slide Deck).

Your Safety Plan should include:

• A clear title for your project.
• Description of your chosen scenario.
• For each of the three risks:
  • Description of the risk.
  • Likelihood assessment with explanation.
  • Impact assessment with explanation.
  • Two mitigation strategies with explanations of how they work.
• A concluding statement on why understanding risk evaluation is important for you.

Assessment:

Your project will be assessed using the Project Rubric to ensure you meet all the requirements and demonstrate a strong understanding of risk evaluation. Prepare to share your project with the class!

Remember to use what you learned in the Risk Evaluation Worksheet and during the Risk Mitigation Game to help you!

Risk Management Project Rubric

Project Title: My Everyday Safety Plan

Student Name: __________________________

Total Score: ________ / 28

Teacher Comments:

Cool Down: My Safety Pledge

Instructions: Take a few moments to reflect on what you learned today about risk evaluation. Complete the statements below to make your personal safety pledge.

1. One new thing I learned about evaluating risks is...
   
   
   

2. A situation where I will try to use my new "Risk Detective" skills is...
   
   
   

3. My Safety Pledge: I, (your name), pledge to think about the likelihood and impact of risks and consider ways to make safer choices in my daily life.
   
   
   
   
   Signed: _________________________ Date: _______________

Risk Evaluation in Everyday Life: Your Guide to Smarter Choices

Have you ever been told to "be careful"? Or maybe you've heard someone say, "that's too risky!" What does it all mean? In life, we constantly make choices, and many of these choices involve some level of risk. But what exactly is risk, and how can we get better at dealing with it?

What is a Risk?

A risk is simply the possibility that something bad or undesirable might happen. It's an uncertainty that could lead to negative consequences. Think about it: every time you step outside, ride a bike, or even try a new food, there's a risk involved. It might be a very small risk, but it's there!

The Power of Risk Evaluation

Risk evaluation is the process of thinking about these potential problems before they happen. It's like being a detective! You look for clues to figure out what could go wrong, how likely it is, and how serious the consequences might be. Why is this important? Because understanding risks helps you make smarter, safer, and more informed decisions.

Two Key Questions for Every Risk:

When you're evaluating a risk, ask yourself these two main questions:

1. How likely is it to happen? (Likelihood)
   This question helps you figure out the probability of the event occurring. Is it something that happens often, rarely, or almost never? We can think about likelihood on a scale:

   • Very Unlikely: Almost certainly won't happen.
   • Unlikely: Probably won't happen, but it's a small possibility.
   • Possible: It could happen, it might not. It's a toss-up.
   • Likely: It probably will happen.
   • Very Likely: Almost certainly will happen.

   Example: If you ride your bike on a smooth, empty bike path, is it likely or unlikely you'll get into a collision with a car?

2. How bad would it be if it did happen? (Impact)
   This question focuses on the severity of the consequences. If the risk turns into a real problem, how much damage or harm could it cause? We can think about impact on a scale:

   • Low: Minor inconvenience, easily fixed (e.g., spilling a drink on your desk, getting a small scratch).
   • Medium: Causes some problems, might require effort to fix (e.g., losing a school assignment, a minor argument with a friend).
   • High: Serious harm, significant damage, or major problems (e.g., a serious injury, failing a class, getting into a lot of trouble).

   Example: If you forget your homework, is the impact low, medium, or high?

Putting It All Together: An Example

Let's say you want to try a new skateboard trick. Here's how you might evaluate the risks:

• The Situation: Learning a new, difficult skateboard trick.
• Risk 1: Falling off and scraping your knee.
  • Likelihood: Likely (new tricks are hard!)
  • Impact: Low (a scrape hurts but usually isn't serious).
• Risk 2: Falling badly and breaking your arm.
  • Likelihood: Unlikely (most falls aren't that severe, but it's possible with a new trick).
  • Impact: High (a broken arm is serious, painful, and takes a long time to heal).

Mitigating Risks: Being a Safety Superhero!

Once you've identified and evaluated the risks, the next step is to figure out what you can do to manage them. This is called risk mitigation. It means taking steps to either:

• Reduce the Likelihood: Make it less probable that the risk will happen.
• Reduce the Impact: Make the consequences less severe if the risk does happen.

For our skateboard example, mitigation strategies could be:

• For Risk 1 (Scraped knee): Wear knee pads and long pants (reduces impact), practice on a soft surface first (reduces likelihood/impact).
• For Risk 2 (Broken arm): Wear a helmet and wrist guards (reduces impact), learn the trick slowly with a friend spotting you (reduces likelihood).

Why is This Important for YOU?

Learning to evaluate risks isn't just for adults or scientists. It's a crucial life skill that helps you every single day:

• Stay Safe: Avoid accidents and dangerous situations.
• Make Smart Choices: Decide which activities are worth the potential risks.
• Be Prepared: If something does go wrong, you've thought about it and have a plan.
• Build Confidence: When you understand risks, you can approach new challenges with more confidence, knowing you've thought them through.

By becoming a "risk detective," you're empowering yourself to navigate the world more safely and make wise decisions that protect your well-being and help you succeed!