POE Unit 4 • Lesson 4.4

Frequency Distributions and Histograms

Convert a set of mission-distance or time data into a histogram and identify patterns in the results.

Lesson Snapshot

Student Objective

I can organize repeated test results into a frequency distribution and histogram.

Main Activity

Convert a set of mission-distance or time data into a histogram and identify patterns in the results.

Deliverable

Frequency table and histogram

Tools / Materials

Notebook, calculator, graph paper or spreadsheet, sample data

1ProblemUnderstand the challenge and why it matters.

Repeated mission tests often produce a spread of values. Engineers need visual tools to see whether the data are clustered, spread out, or affected by outliers.

2ConceptLearn the engineering idea or skill.

A frequency distribution groups data into intervals. A histogram shows how often results fall within each interval, making performance patterns easier to interpret.

3ApplyUse the skill in a guided task.

Create a frequency table and histogram for a repeated-trial data set from a rover, projectile, terrain-course, or glider test.

4DocumentRecord your evidence and decisions.

Label the graph with title, axes, units, and interval widths. Add a short interpretation of the data pattern.

5ReviewCheck quality and identify your next step.

Your histogram should make the spread of performance easy to see.

Lesson Resources

Use these files and shared website resources when they support today’s work.

Engineering Graph Paper

Use for graphs, calculations, motion diagrams, data displays, and design sketches.

Open Resource

Measurement Data Sheet

Use for repeated trials, rover-distance data, timing data, accuracy measurements, and observations.

Open Resource

Engineering Resource Library

Templates, reference sheets, sketch paper, and course support files.

Open Resource