Preventing "Garbage In, Garbage Out" in FRC

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by Ian Curtis

Put another way, what do you get out designing another West Coast Drive if you don't understand the difference between a cantilevered and simply supported beam?

The statement above is a prime example of why you challenge the students to think using critical analysis.

In fact, I've challenged people who posted comments like "west coast drive is lighter".

The response to that should be a question: both have to survive the same total forces on the playing field. Explain why, then, one would have to be any heavier than the other. Chassis with dual-supported axles (inner and outer rails) don't have to deal with the torsional forces West Coast do: hence you can use lighter material. In addition, they don't require bumper stand-offs.

Never allow your students to get away with an answer that amounts to "because it's better". Have them prove it to the best of their ability, and when they're wrong, ask them to figure out why they're wrong.