Hey future engineers! Today, we’re going to learn why failing is actually a good thing when you’re trying to solve a problem. Last time, we talked about what happens when a solution doesn’t work anymore. This is called a “failure point.” But just knowing what a failure point is isn’t enough. Engineers need to find these failure points and fix them so they don’t cause problems again.
When engineers test a solution, they don’t just jump in without a plan. They follow an organized series of steps to reach their goal, which is to create a successful and safe solution. Part of this plan involves isolating a variable, which means changing one thing at a time during tests until they find a solution that works. Remember when we changed the angle of the ball ramp at the bowling alley until we got a strike? That’s exactly what engineers do!
Let’s go back to our wooden bridge in the forest. We needed the bridge to cross a stream safely. But just guessing that the bridge can’t support a bulldozer isn’t enough. Engineers would make a plan to test the bridge and find failure points. One way to test a solution early on is to build a small model of it. For example, if we have the materials to make a model bridge, we can test how much weight it can hold by piling weights on it until it collapses. If it collapses under less weight than we need, we’ve found a failure point.
Instead of giving up on the bridge idea, engineers would try to improve the design. They might add extra support to the bridge and test it again. If the new model holds the goal weight, and even more, it looks like the design could be successful. But engineers don’t stop there. They look for other failure points, like how the Tacoma Narrows Bridge twisted in the wind and collapsed. So, even if the bridge holds enough weight, engineers will test other variables to make sure the bridge is as safe as possible.
To find out if a solution works, engineers make a plan with organized steps. They isolate a variable and change it during tests. When the solution fails a test, they’ve found a failure point. So, if you plan to fail, you’re not really failing—you’re making your solution better!
Build Your Own Bridge: Gather some simple materials like popsicle sticks, glue, and small weights (like coins or small stones). Work with a friend or family member to build a small bridge. Once your bridge is built, test how much weight it can hold by slowly adding the weights. Observe what happens as you add more weight. Can you find the failure point? Try to improve your bridge by adding more support and test it again. What changes made your bridge stronger?
Failure Point Detective: Go on a “failure point” hunt around your home or school. Look for things that might not be working perfectly, like a wobbly chair or a door that doesn’t close properly. Think about what could be causing the problem and how you might fix it. Discuss your findings with a friend or family member. How would you test your solution to make sure it works?
Story Time Reflection: Think about a time when you tried something new and it didn’t work out the way you planned. Maybe it was building a tower with blocks or trying a new game. What did you learn from that experience? How did you change your approach the next time? Share your story with the class or write it down in a journal. Remember, finding failure points is a step towards making things better!
