Additionally, they learn about materials engineering. The teamwork skill objective is for students to learn to probe to improve their depth of understanding. In this problem we are going to use estimation and modeling to determine the smallest diameter steel wire that could to used to suspend a typical American automobile. Individually estimate the diameter of the smallest steel wire that would support a typical American automobile hanging by it. Report to the whole class on the group's answer and model.
Recorder gets copy of problem and records group's answer and method.
Group member on Recorder's right is the Prober. The prober asks for rationale and elaboration, and questions the group's assumptions, model, etc. The Encourager makes sure each group member participates in the process. Remember these roles are in addition to each person's responsibility to help the group solve the problem. Although pieces of fine steel wire and materials science textbooks are helpful.