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3rd Grade Compare Engineering Solutions worksheets

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Compare Engineering Solutions

Grade 3 Science Worksheet

NameDate

Circle the answer.

  1. A tall tower tips over. A shorter tower stays standing. What tradeoff does this show?

    • height versus stability
    • height versus build time
    • cost versus build time
    • stability versus cost
  2. Which data table would help compare parachute designs fairly?

    • fall time for each parachute from the same height
    • how many students built each one
    • fall time for each parachute from different heights
    • the size of each parachute only
  3. The goal is a ramp that rolls a marble at least 75 cm. Use the graph. Which ramp meets the goal?

    • Ramp B
    • Ramp A
    • neither ramp
    • both ramps
  4. Design X uses expensive material and holds the most weight. Design Y uses cheap material, holds a little less, and still meets the goal. Which better balances cost and performance?

    • neither should be used
    • Design X
    • both are equally good
    • Design Y
  5. A bridge redesign replaces flat paper beams with folded beams and holds twice as many washers. What does this show?

    • the bridge needs more washers
    • folding the paper made the beams stronger
    • washer count does not show strength
    • the bridge became weaker
  6. Two students test the same parachute but drop it from different heights. Why are their results hard to compare?

    • the students used the same conditions
    • parachutes fall the same from any height
    • the parachutes were the same design
    • the drop heights were not the same
  7. Two raft designs are tested in the same tub, with pennies added one at a time to each. Why is this a useful comparison?

    • the rafts get different numbers of pennies
    • the rafts are in different tubs
    • both rafts are tested the same way
    • the rafts are tested on different days
  8. A cup holder keeps a cup upright on a flat table but not on a bumpy bus ride, which was the real goal. What does this show?

    • the flat-table test proves it works on a bus
    • the cup holder needs fewer tests
    • the design does not yet meet the real goal
    • the design is finished
  9. Two birdhouses with different hole sizes were put outside for a season. Use the graph. Which hole size worked better for bluebirds?

    • Hole B (4 cm)
    • Hole A (3 cm)
    • neither hole was used
    • both worked equally well
  10. Design A meets 3 of 5 criteria and costs less. Design B meets all 5 criteria and costs more, but it is within the budget. Which should be chosen?

    • Design A
    • neither design
    • both designs equally
    • Design B
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3rd Grade Compare Engineering Solutions worksheet 1 – printable PDF
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About this worksheet

Comparing engineering solutions helps third graders connect observations with scientific explanations instead of memorizing isolated facts. Students may pick the design with the biggest result even when it breaks a limit, or forget that both or neither design can meet a goal. This worksheet uses short evidence-based situations so students must read the setup, identify the pattern, and choose the answer that fits the science idea named in the title. Students compare test data with a goal, set up fair tests, weigh tradeoffs such as cost and strength, and decide whether one, both or neither design works.

Support versions use familiar examples and direct wording. Standard and challenge versions add closer distractors and require more comparison. Encourage your child to point to the evidence in the prompt before choosing an answer. If the answer does not explain the observation or solve the stated problem, it is probably a distractor. That habit builds careful science reasoning and prepares students for longer investigations.

What your child will learn

  • Compare test data with a goal
  • Set up a fair test
  • Weigh tradeoffs
  • Decide when to redesign

NGSS standard: 3-5-ETS1-2

Worked example

The goal is 18 washers. Design A holds 12 and Design B holds 20, so only Design B meets the goal.

Common mistake

Choosing the biggest result without checking the goal and the limits.

Helpful hint

Compare every result with the goal.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with compare engineering solutions?

Choosing the biggest result without checking the goal and the limits.

How can I help my child with compare engineering solutions?

Compare every result with the goal.

Are these 3rd grade science worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

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