Abstract:

The Statistics subject in the Degree in Aerospace Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Valencia uses active learning methodologies to achieve a deep approach to learning. One of the notable activities is carrying out a project to improve cardboard gliders, an activity designed using the project-based learning methodology. An important aspect of the activity is motivation, which is generated through competition between the groups participating in the project.

The project develops improvements on a base glider for all groups, using statistical tools. They perform ANOVA, Design of Experiments, and other advanced tools. During four sessions the groups analyze, study, and propose improvements to the glider design. The competition assesses which group has made the improvements most effective.

In this article, we want to present the activity and describe how was designed. We also present the results obtained in 6 years of experience with the activity, where it is observed how the motivation in the subject has improved significantly.

Keywords:

Motivation, statistics, project-based learning.