Engineering Practice: Make Evidence-Based Decisions

Engineers collect and analyze data to inform their decision making throughout the engineering process. Observation, empirical data, scientific knowledge, and models are all types of evidence engineers may use.

“This Fits, This Fits, That Does Not Fit”

A group of 2nd grade students discuss what materials will make the best handle for their pumpkin pollinator as part of the Ask phase of the Engineering Design Process. Watch & Reflect:

Related Practices: Work Effectively in Teams, Balance Criteria and Constraints
Featured Unit: Engineering Pumpkin Pollinators

Reflection Questions

1. Evidence from Pumpkin Pollinators unit: a. Students use their Engineering Notebook to test if the materials fit in the provided circles. b. Students test and retest materials. c. Students compare the size of materials in front of them. d. “Look at how easy it is to control” e. “It fits in every single hole.” 2.Evidence from outside experiences: a. “My dad would accidentally drop it to get in there.”

1. Who will be the user of this hand pollinator? Which materials are best for that user? 2. Which is more important, that it fits in the flower or that it is easy to hold? Do any materials do both of those things? 3. Have each of you tested the materials to see if [material] is easier for some of you than others? Why do you think that might be? 4. Can you tell me why you disagree?

“Pop Up for Limestone”

As students share their design decisions, they see that teams had different ideas. The teacher asks them to provide explanations for their decisions. Watch & Reflect:

Related Practices: Balance Criteria and Constraints, Communicate Effectively, Consider Problems in Context

Reflection Questions

All teams get a chance to practice explaining the evidence they used to make their decisions. Students have an opportunity to practice argumentation skills, as they can give different evidence and discuss how they are balancing tradeoffs.

Sharing evidence for why a material does not work for their design is another way to practice providing evidence for decisions.