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:
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.
- Ask to see their design and have them point out what parts of it worked well.
- Were there other ideas you imagined that you might try next?
- What can you learn from your test results?
Related Practices: Work Effectively in Teams, Envision Multiple Solutions
Featured Unit: Engineering Rescue Shuttles
“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:
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?
Related Practices: Use a Structured Problem-Solving Process, Consider Problems in Context, Apply Science Knowledge to Problem Solving
Featured Unit: Engineering Nightlights
“I Can Try a Different Material”
Preschool students try different materials to use in a wrecking ball. Watch & Reflect:
Reflection Questions
Stations allow students to try new things repeatedly. They are allowed multiple tries, and they know this from the start. We hear the young students say they will try other materials.
Asking students why they think this material did not work and why they are choosing their next material would help students to think about observations and evidence.
Related Practices: Construct and Use Models and Prototypes, Explore Properties and Uses of Materials
Featured Unit: Wee Engineer