POE Unit 4 • Lesson 4.5

Mean, Median, Mode, and Range

Use repeated mission results to calculate mean, median, mode, and range, then compare what each value tells an engineer.

Lesson Snapshot

Student Objective

I can calculate and interpret measures of central tendency and range for aerospace test data.

Main Activity

Use repeated mission results to calculate mean, median, mode, and range, then compare what each value tells an engineer.

Deliverable

Central tendency calculation sheet

Tools / Materials

Notebook, calculator, sample data, measurement data sheet

1ProblemUnderstand the challenge and why it matters.

A design team needs more than one measurement to describe performance. Different statistics can tell different stories about the same data set.

2ConceptLearn the engineering idea or skill.

Mean, median, and mode describe typical performance. Range describes spread between the smallest and largest values.

3ApplyUse the skill in a guided task.

Calculate mean, median, mode, and range for a repeated-trial data set and decide which statistic best supports an engineering claim.

4DocumentRecord your evidence and decisions.

Show all calculations with units and write a short recommendation based on the results.

5ReviewCheck quality and identify your next step.

Your recommendation should explain both performance and consistency.

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