Engineering Design Process: Improve Cycle
Students improve their design by going through another iteration of the process.
Watch & Reflect: “Look at Your Data”
Students evaluate the data from the Test phase to make decisions about what type of soil to use in their TarPul, a type of bridge.
Related Engineering Practices: Apply Math Knowledge to Problem Solving, Persist Through and Learn From Failure, Use Systems Thinking
Featured Unit: Evaluating a Landscape
Reflection Questions
Finding the average and sharing it with the class is important to do before improving so that students can use evidence to support their improved design choices. This allows students to reflect on the data they collected and make informed decisions.
Students may need a refresher on averages, beyond what was done in this classroom. This will depend on when your students last interacted with those math skills and how well they have mastered the content. Students may also require tools such as a calculator or a graphic organizer to support them in the addition and division involved in finding the average. Determine your students’ math strengths and growth areas before using them in your engineering lesson so that all students can complete the task!
The student used qualitative observations related to the soil—when it was compacted more, their design was able to hold more weight. Using qualitative observations is as important as the quantitative data they discussed at the start of the video. These observations can help students think about why the design failed and inform their decision-making.