Engineering Practice: Persist Through and Learn From Failure

Engineers understand that failure plays a prominent role in engineering, providing opportunities for learning and improving designs. They persist through failure and recognize that solutions can always be improved.

“I Didn’t Think It Would Be So Hard!”

A pair of 4th grade students, Alanna and Felix, work in the Improve Phase of the Engineering Design Process as they try to reach a specific target distance with their rescue shuttles. Watch & Reflect:

Related Practices: Work Effectively in Teams, Envision Multiple Solutions
Featured Unit: Engineering Rescue Shuttles

Reflection Questions

The class admits that the activity is hard, but they “try again” when they don’t succeed the first time. They frame failure as a part of engineering and the Engineering Design Process. They do not see failure as part of their identity—they are not the failure; the attempt was.

1. Ask to see their design and have them point out what parts of it worked well. 2. Were there other ideas you imagined that you might try next? 3. What can you learn from your test results?

“Felt for Nasir”

As students test their nightlight designs, they talk about what parts of their design failed. The teacher emphasizes that failing is okay. Watch & Reflect:

Related Practices: Use a Structured Problem-Solving Process, Consider Problems in Context, Apply Science Knowledge to Problem Solving
Featured Unit: Engineering Nightlights

Reflection Questions

The teacher helps students to see failure as normal. He also makes sure to help them see what did work in their design.

What parts of your design failed? Why do you think they failed? What do you plan to change based on your testing data? Do you think there is a way to make your design more effective?