Exploring Variation in A Manufacturing Context

Among the practical applications of statistics is the collection of data from manufacturing processes. Often collected in the form of a time series, data collected from a series of measurements show the variation in those measurements, such as mass of a product manufactured. Limits are set for quality control and if these are exceeded then a decision is made about the process; perhaps it is halted and adjustments made to create a more uniform product over time. Can turning the primary (or middle school) classroom into a “food production line” promote learning outcomes that assist students in appreciating the essence of the statistics and probability curriculum: variation (Moore, 1990; Watson, 2007a)?