"Quality Quest: Measure to Mastery!"

9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades Project 1 week

"Quality Quest: Measure to Mastery!"

Barbara Volpe

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Purpose

This learning experience aims to immerse students in the practical application of quality management systems and dimensional measurement within a real-world context. By collaborating with local entrepreneurs and manufacturing experts, students will gain firsthand insights into the importance of product quality and customer satisfaction. Through hands-on workshops, digital simulations, and community partnerships, students will develop critical skills in measurement accuracy and precision, essential for ensuring excellence in manufacturing processes. The project culminates in a dynamic exhibition where students showcase their understanding and skills, fostering a deeper appreciation for quality standards and continuous improvement.

Learning goals

Students will design a comprehensive quality management system for a hypothetical small business, integrating the PDCA cycle and Six Sigma principles. They will develop proficiency in using both US Customary and SI machinist's rules to measure product dimensions, emphasizing accuracy and precision. Through role-playing and hands-on workshops, students will understand the roles and responsibilities within a quality management team and the impact of measurement accuracy on product quality.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSN.Q.A.1: Use units as a way to understand problems and to guide the solution of multi-step problems; choose and interpret units consistently in formulas; choose and interpret the scale and the origin in graphs and data displays.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.
NGSS - HS-ETS1-3: Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.

Products

Students will create a comprehensive quality management system for a hypothetical small business, incorporating PDCA cycle and Six Sigma principles. They will also produce a detailed presentation showcasing this system, integrating feedback from community partners. Additionally, students will develop hands-on demonstrations for a 'Precision Parade,' where they exhibit their skills in dimensional measurement using both US Customary and SI systems. Finally, they will host interactive workshops on measurement accuracy and precision, engaging visitors with tools and techniques to highlight the impact on product quality.

Launch

Kick off the learning experience with a 'Quality Quest' event where students embark on a scavenger hunt within their community to identify real-world examples of quality management systems in action. Equip students with digital tools to document their findings and insights, which they will later share in class. Invite the local entrepreneur to provide a map of their business's quality checkpoints, offering students a firsthand look at how quality is managed in a small business setting. This dynamic start will spark curiosity and set the stage for deeper exploration of quality management principles.

Exhibition

Host a 'Precision Parade' where students showcase their dimensional measurement skills through interactive demonstrations, inviting feedback from the local manufacturing company. Create an engaging exhibit featuring student-led workshops on measurement accuracy and precision, allowing attendees to interact with tools and techniques provided by industry partners. Encourage visitors to participate in live demonstrations, applying US Customary and SI systems to assess product quality, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6
Activities	Quality Quest Scavenger Hunt - Students embark on a community scavenger hunt to identify real-world examples of quality management systems, documenting findings with digital tools (30 min) Entrepreneur Insight Session - The local entrepreneur shares insights on quality management at their small business, providing students with a map of quality checkpoints (30 min)	Measurement Mastermind Workshop - Hands-on challenges using US Customary and SI systems with guidance from the local manufacturing company (30 min) Peer Feedback Session - Students share measurement techniques on a digital platform, receiving feedback from peers and community partners (30 min)	PDCA Cycle Simulation - Students use digital tools to simulate the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, exploring roles and responsibilities in quality management (30 min) Reflection and Discussion - Students reflect on the simulation experience, discussing insights and alignment with classroom theories (30 min)	Role-Playing Exercise - Students assume different responsibilities within a quality management team, focusing on measurement accuracy's impact on product quality (30 min) Dimensional Measurement Practice - Students practice using machinist's rules for measuring product dimensions, emphasizing accuracy and precision (30 min)	Quality Management System Design - Students collaborate to design a quality management system for a hypothetical small business, incorporating PDCA and Six Sigma principles (30 min) Presentation Preparation - Students prepare a detailed presentation outlining their quality management system, integrating feedback from peers and the local entrepreneur (30 min)	Precision Parade Setup - Students set up their dimensional measurement demonstrations, preparing for hands-on exhibits and workshops (30 min) Precision Parade and Exhibition - Students showcase their skills in dimensional measurement with interactive demonstrations, receiving feedback from the local manufacturing company (30 min)
Deliverables	1. Comprehensive quality management system design for a hypothetical small business. 2. Presentation on ISO 9001 principles and classroom project benchmark evaluation. 3. Documentation of measurement techniques using US Customary and SI systems.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with the local entrepreneur to arrange a Quality Quest scavenger hunt. 2. Prepare digital tools and resources for documentation and PDCA cycle simulations. 3. Secure machinist's rules and measurement tools from the local manufacturing company. 4. Set up a digital feedback platform for peer reviews and critiques. 5. Organize a reflection workshop with community partners as guest speakers.