Teaching article
Repeated trials show variation the best attempt hides
Use several attempts to notice variation within the same setup.
Three releases with the same setup may stop at slightly different places. Record every attempt, including unusual ones, so the discussion concerns a set of observations rather than the most memorable performance.
Make the recording method consistent across attempts. Discuss whether one unusually long run changes the overall interpretation of the set.
Look at the spread of results
- Repeat the release.
- Record every result.
- Compare the spread.
Distances of 40, 44 and 41 centimetres show variation.
Do not discard an inconvenient trial silently.
What might explain the variation? Compare supplied measurements.
Resources
- Paper aircraft test – Forces and Flight Major Activity — Use the aircraft investigation for a follow-up comparison with a recorded procedure.
Further reading
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