Define Engineering Problems
Grade 3 Science Worksheet - Challenge Me
Circle the answer.
A card bridge must span a gap of at least 18 cm. This bridge spans 15 cm. Does it meet the requirement?
- no, because 15 cm is shorter than the 18 cm goal
- no, because it uses too many cards
- yes, because 15 cm is close enough
- yes, because it uses only index cards
A doghouse must keep rain out and fit a yard 4 feet wide. Doghouse A is 3 feet wide and keeps rain out. Doghouse B keeps rain out but is 6 feet wide. Which solves the problem?
- Doghouse A only
- Doghouse B only
- both doghouses
- neither doghouse
A tower must be at least 30 cm tall and use no more than 20 straws. Tower A is 32 cm with 18 straws. Tower B is 35 cm with 20 straws. Which towers meet the rules?
- Tower B only
- neither tower
- Tower A only
- both towers
A boat must hold 10 pennies and use one sheet of foil. Boat A holds 12 pennies but uses two sheets. Boat B uses one sheet but holds 7 pennies. Which boats meet the rules?
- Boat A only
- neither boat
- Boat B only
- both boats
A bike rack must hold 12 bikes and fit a space 3 meters long. A student says it should look cool. Is looking cool a criterion of this problem?
- no, because it is a constraint
- yes, every idea is a criterion
- yes, because it is a limit
- no, it is not one of the stated needs
A class must keep an ice cube from melting for 30 minutes using only paper, foil and tape. Which is a constraint?
- use only paper, foil and tape
- keep the ice cube from dripping
- keep the ice cube for 30 minutes
- fit the cube inside the holder
A bird feeder must let small birds eat but keep squirrels out. Which question best defines the problem?
- How can a feeder be built quickly?
- How can a feeder hold the most seeds?
- How can squirrels reach the seeds faster?
- How can small birds reach the seeds while squirrels cannot?
Why should engineers talk with the people who will use a design before building it?
- to choose the materials for them
- to make the design cost more
- to learn what needs the design must meet
- to skip testing later
A bridge holds 25 washers. The goal was 20 washers, but the team used 3 more sheets of paper than allowed. Does it solve the problem?
- no, because it breaks the paper limit
- no, because it holds too many washers
- yes, because extra paper is fine if it works
- yes, because it holds more than 20 washers
A shade cover must shade a 2-meter bench and cost less than $20. Cover A shades 2 meters and costs $15. Cover B shades 3 meters and costs $25. Which fits the problem?
- both covers
- Cover B
- Cover A
- neither cover