Have you ever heard the saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”? This phrase is all about not giving up, even when things don’t go as planned. In fact, failing is a big part of learning, especially for engineers who are always trying to solve problems.
Engineers often face failures when they are working on solutions. But these failures are important because they help engineers understand what doesn’t work. This is where the idea of a “failure point” comes in. A failure point is the moment when a solution stops working.
Let’s look at an example to understand this better. Imagine you’re trying to knock down pins with a ball. You change the angle of the ramp the ball rolls down. In your first try, only some pins fall. In the second try, none fall. But on the third try, you get a strike! By changing just one thing—the angle—you figured out why the first two tries didn’t work.
Sometimes, a solution works for a while and then stops. The point where it stops working is the failure point. For example, if you’re crossing a small wooden bridge, it might hold your weight. But if you drive a bulldozer over it, the bridge might collapse. The weight that causes the bridge to break is its failure point.
One famous example of a failure point is the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington. The original bridge opened in 1940 and was a solution for crossing the Puget Sound. But by November of that year, it became known as “Galloping Gertie” because it twisted and turned in the wind. Eventually, it collapsed due to wind hitting it at a certain speed and angle. This was the bridge’s failure point.
After engineers figured out why the bridge failed, they built a new, stronger bridge that could withstand similar winds. Thanks to this lesson, suspension bridges today are safer and more reliable.
Engineers try to find failure points before a final solution is used. This saves time, money, and sometimes even lives. By learning from failure points, engineers can create better solutions. So, remember, failure is not the end—it’s just the beginning of finding a better way!
Curious about how engineers find these failure points? That’s a story for another time. Don’t forget to come back soon to learn more!
Build Your Own Bridge: Gather some simple materials like popsicle sticks, tape, and small toy cars. Work in small groups to build a bridge that can hold the weight of the toy cars. Once your bridge is built, test it by adding more cars one by one. Observe when the bridge starts to wobble or collapse. Discuss with your group what changes you could make to strengthen the bridge and try again. This activity helps you understand how engineers test for failure points and improve their designs.
Pin Knockdown Experiment: Set up a simple ramp using a piece of cardboard and some books to adjust the height. Use a small ball and set up pins (or empty plastic bottles) at the end of the ramp. Change the height of the ramp and observe how it affects the ball’s speed and the number of pins knocked down. Record your observations and discuss what changes helped you achieve a strike. This experiment shows how changing one factor can lead to different outcomes, just like engineers do when finding failure points.
Think and Share: Imagine you are an engineer who needs to solve a problem. Think about a time when something you tried didn’t work out the way you planned. What did you learn from that experience? How did you change your approach to solve the problem? Share your story with a friend or family member and ask them about their experiences with learning from failure. This activity encourages you to reflect on personal experiences and understand the value of learning from mistakes.
