Activities to Teach Students to Use Data From Tests to Compare Engineering-Design Solutions
As an educator, you want your students to excel in their chosen fields, and in the field of engineering, it’s essential to understand how to read, interpret, and compare data from tests. Data interpretation and quantification are important skills that every engineer needs. Here are some activities that can help you teach students how to use test data to compare engineering-design solutions.
1. Conduct a Design Challenge
To teach students how to use data to compare engineering solutions, you can design a challenge where students must create prototypes based on specific parameters. After completing their prototypes, have students test their designs and collect data on their performance. Next, teach students how to analyze data and compare it to the data of other groups. This activity will help students learn how to quantify their results and make educated decisions regarding their design solutions.
2. Use Test Data from Real-World Examples
Another way to teach students to use data from tests to compare engineering-design solutions is to use real-world examples. Teach students how to use data from crash-test dummies to determine the effectiveness of seatbelt designs or study data from wind-turbine prototypes to discover ways to optimize their energy efficiency. By using real-world examples, students will be able to better understand the relevance and application of data analysis in their field.
3. Conduct a Performance Comparison
You can also teach students about data analysis by creating a performance comparison activity. Divide the class into groups and have each group design a prototype that they feel will outperform the others. After testing and collecting data on each group’s designs, have the class analyze the results and compare the performance of each prototype. The students will understand how to collect and compare data while understanding the importance of quantitative measures in engineering.
4. Use Computer Simulations
Finally, if you want to teach students how to use data from tests to compare engineering-design solutions, consider incorporating computer simulations. This activity provides a safe, low-risk way for students to test their designs and collect data without having to build actual prototypes. Students can use the agreed-upon parameters to develop their simulations and test the prototype’s performance. With this activity, students can also learn how to navigate software apps to collate and analyze data.
In conclusion, the activities listed above are a great start in teaching students how to use data to compare engineering-design solutions. By engaging in real or simulated testing, collecting data, and quantifying the results, students gain the critical thinking skills necessary to become successful engineers. These skills will enable them to compare and select the best engineering-design solution for any problem they face.