Mosaic Freeschool

  • Home
  • Classes
    • Classes '22-'23
    • Past Classes
  • Facilitators
    • Mosaic Facilitators
    • Educator Network
  • Enroll
    • Admissions
    • Registration
    • Payment
  • Contact
  • Opportunities
  • Home
  • Classes
    • Classes '22-'23
    • Past Classes
  • Facilitators
    • Mosaic Facilitators
    • Educator Network
  • Enroll
    • Admissions
    • Registration
    • Payment
  • Contact
  • Opportunities

Mosaic Minutes

Engineering - Math & Science in Society Class Summary 2/24/14

2/27/2014

 

Life of Pi

Our third class started with a review of the lab results from “Finding Pi.” One team calculated a value for pi that was within 0.2% of the actual value and another team was within 0.5%. A typical error would have been 3.0%, so they did some really awesome measurement!

As we compared everyone’s findings we noted differences in the data even when the same object was being studied. This led us into a good discussion of “sources of error” that creep into any project: variations in the object (e.g. hula hoops are rarely round!), precision of measuring tools (we used fabric tape rulers and meter sticks), and accuracy of our observations (not measuring several points, not using the full 0.05 cm resolution of the rulers).

We wrapped this lab up with a basic outline for an engineering report:
  • Title
  • Objective
  • Procedure
  • Findings
  • Conclusions
  • Areas for Improvement

On Target

Picture
The class then tackled another vital engineering tool. Engineers use statistical analysis to tell if a process is performing the way it should. Each student was given a list of 30 values to plot on an x-t chart and then we studied them to see what the charts were telling us about performance. Some plots were tight and centered about the target line, some were tight but consistently off target, and others bounced around widely. We were able to discuss the difference between “precision” and “accuracy,” critical for making decisions. We used an example of five arrows shot into a target. Precision means that all of the arrows hit in the same area. Accuracy means that the arrows were evenly spread around the center of the target. The goal is to be both precise and accurate – put all of the arrows together in the middle of the target – and each is accomplished using different techniques.

Homework for Next Session

Before we meet again, I would like the students to re-draw their control charts neatly. They should be drawn in landscape mode in their journals and should be labelled so that the data points are spread vertically on the page (i.e., not in a single tight space down the center of the chart!). The “Target” line should be at a value of 100 and the y-axis should have a scale of four squares for every 10 points. For example, four squares above the 100 line would be the 110 line, four squares up from there would be 120, etc. Draw dashed lines across the chart, one at 80 labeled “LSL” (lower spec limit) and one at 120 labeled “USL” (upper spec limit”). Then plot each value across the chart and connect the data points with straight lines. The final step is to look at the data points and highlight (or circle) any points where:
  • The point is above the USL or below the LSL
  • Five points in a row are rising or falling
  • Eight points in a row are above or below the target

I’m looking forward to our next session!

Comments are closed.

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Afternoon Enrichment
    Closures
    Clubs
    Early Elementary
    Mosaic Texas
    Odyssey Of The Mind
    Out Of This World
    Philosophy
    Tesserae Fall 2012
    Tesserae Fall 2013
    Tesserae Fall 2014
    Tesserae Spring 2013
    Tesserae Spring 2014
    Tesserae Spring 2015
    Tesserae Spring 2016

    Archives

    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from nojhan, Clay Gilliland, mynameisharsha, kim siciliano salem, matthewvenn, photogirl7.1, El Bibliomata, ~Brenda-Starr~, Anne Worner, Heather Bickle, NASA Goddard Photo and Video, Black.Dots., marta.b, Felipe Venâncio, A. Galassi, bibliojojo, Bibliothèque - Les Champs Libres - Rennes, Robert Hensley, opensourceway, Greenland Travel, est1996x, John-Morgan, camnjeanacess, plindberg, chrisjtse, Vox Efx, philosophygeek, utpala ॐ, Cea., Phil Roeder, andreazgarcia, stevecadman, laynasaur, Steve A Johnson, mattk1979, Tattooed Hippy, spacepleb, Mateus Hidalgo, Todd Binger, TRF_Mr_Hyde, ComputerHotline, Hampshire and Solent Museums, Ben Sutherland, philip_sheldrake, WeeLittlePiggy, echiner1, gruntzooki, emmeffe6, saoire, symphony of love, ups2006, Dave_B_, bobsfever, Kelly Short6, RichardBH, frau-Vogel, Skype Nomad, giopuo, Tomi Tapio