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TE Activity: Analyze the Data

Contributed by: Teach Engineering Living Labs, Colorado School of Mines

Summary

Students go through the logical process of quantitatively analyzing data from the FasTracks system. They gain experience identifying problems with the current design based upon their earlier observations and experiences in activities 1 and 2. Students discuss the flaws that they find in the system. This activity requires the use of the FasTracks Living Lab, a web portal to interactive train (transit) traffic data for a major metropolitan city.

Engineering Connection

Transportation engineers are responsible for designing and operating the systems that deliver people and goods, including rail, highways and roads, and air traffic. Transportation engineers must design systems that are efficient, systems that move people and goods quickly, safely and cost-effectively. Your students will be fully immersed in transportation engineering during this activity.


Contents

  1. Learning Objectives
  2. Materials
  3. Introduction/Motivation
  4. Procedure
  5. Attachments
  6. Assessment

Grade Level: 10 (9-12) Group Size: 2
Time Required: 20 minutes
Activity Dependency :None
Expendable Cost Per Group : Not defined
Keywords: Graphing, Analyzing
Attention: This activity requires the following internet resource: http://control.mines.edu/livinglabs/labs/fastracks/app/index.html
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Related Curriculum :

subject areas Science and Technology
lessons Improving West Corridor Design

Educational Standards :    

  •   Colorado Math
  •   Colorado Science
Does this curriculum meet my state's standards?       

Learning Objectives (Return to Contents)

After completing this activity, students should be able to:

  1. Analyze a graph for critical areas and be able to explain in words what is happening in the graph.
  2. Critically examine a flow rate system for congestion and identify whether or not the system is meeting the original design criteria.

Materials List (Return to Contents)

Students will need access to computers with internet connections.

Introduction/Motivation (Return to Contents)

An essential part of an engineer's skill set is to be able to systematically analyze a design or system that is already in place and identify the areas which need improvement. The first step to solving an engineering problem is to identify it and the factors that are contributing to it. Only after the problem has been fully understood can an engineer effectively move toward solving the problem.


  1. Distribute the Design Criteria student worksheet.
  2. Explain the introduction/motivation to the students.
  3. Divide the class into teams of two students (recommended), or have them work individually.
  4. Ask them to work through the questions in the worksheet.
  5. Discuss the answers of various groups with the entire class.

Grade completed worksheet.

Contributors

Mike Mooney, Colorado School of Mines, Stuart Fehr, Colorado School of Mines

Supporting Program (Return to Contents)

Teach Engineering Living Labs, Colorado School of Mines

Last Modified: April 21, 2009
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