The need for repetition in procedures - before making final decisions. From this assignment, students learn a great deal regarding science, mathematics, and the technical problems associated with building and using equipment to collect what appears to be very simple data. The proposals students write are read only for specificity of technical presentation, not likelihood of success. Vague or abstract proposals are returned for clarification. Examples are read anonymously to illustrate good technical writing and demonstrate how vague writing can be improved - point out that placing an insect under the microscope and under the lens of the microscope are very different places.
Students construct whatever device they proposed.
Construction devices are as varied as the imaginations of the students, ranging from sugar coated soda straws, concentric circles, to stretched strings and shoebox race tracks. Students bring ants, and help each other collect data. Soon they discover they cannot control the ants, start and stop watches, and record data all at the same time. Cooperating teams begin to form almost magically. Each student collects data according to their individual plan.