Data collection in engineering
A collection of resources to provide ideas for setting data collection in the context of engineering, together with materials to support the teaching of this topic.
'Bridges and Structures' explores data collection through building structures from an A4 sheet of paper. Students have to test structures for strength, involving a systematic approach and collection of data.
There are two supporting resources. 'Sampling, Data and Bias' looks at attitudes of different sections of the population to the Armed Forces. 'Collecting Data' explores what makes a good questionnaire, and looks at the subtleties of sampling and grouping data.
Bridges and Structures
Working in groups of 3 or 4, students create structures from a single sheet of A4 paper, the tallest free-standing tower and the longest possible span between two end supports. They then have to decide upon the best design, giving the opportunity for them to discuss which criteria to use for awarding marks.
Students also have to test bridge structures for strength, which will require a systematic approach to investigate the best combination of arches and spans to use with three, four or five strips of card.
Sampling, Data and Bias
This resource from Defence Dynamics presents the findings of a MORI poll in varied formats. Research is carried out regularly by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to track attitudes of the public towards the Armed Forces over time, looking at differences between different sectors of the population and areas of the country, and attitudes to other public bodies.
The student worksheets challenge students to extrapolate key findings, to review various data sources, identify key questions and bias. Students are encouraged to cross-reference and to interpret and evaluate findings.
Collecting Data
This resource contains nine instant maths ideas exploring what makes a good questionnaire, tasks requiring students to make their own questionnaire, experiments for students to perform in order to collect data, and tasks looking at the subtleties of sampling and grouping data.
This resource would be ideal to use prior to working on the 'Bridges and Structures' activity.
