Compare Engineering Solutions

Grade 3 Science Worksheet

Circle the answer.

1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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