Compare Engineering Solutions
Grade 4 - Science - On Level
Problem: a model roof must drain rainwater away from a doorway. Which solution best fits the criteria and constraints?
- assign a different short-long flash pattern to each message
- fold the paper into beams before taping it
- place sticks close together across the windy side
- slope the sheet toward a side channel
Which criterion should be used to compare solutions for this problem: a shade cover must cool a playground thermometer?
- lowers the temperature by at least 5 degrees
- uses one square meter of fabric
- holds at least 20 washers
- keeps most sand in the tray
Which constraint must the design team consider for "a model roof must drain rainwater away from a doorway"?
- uses one plastic sheet and four straws
- uses one envelope and one coating material
- uses only short and long flashes
- uses only two sheets of paper and tape
Evidence: folded beams held 24 washers while flat paper held 9. Which solution comparison is best supported?
- keep the folded beams and strengthen the center span
- tilt the fabric to block afternoon Sun too
- add longer pauses between messages
- make the side channel deeper
Why compare more than one solution for "a shade cover must cool a playground thermometer"?
- constraints should be ignored
- the first design is always best
- different designs may meet the criteria and constraints with different tradeoffs
- evidence makes solutions impossible
Problem: a shade cover must cool a playground thermometer. Which solution best fits the criteria and constraints?
- place sticks close together across the windy side
- fold the paper into beams before taping it
- assign a different short-long flash pattern to each message
- stretch light-colored fabric over the thermometer area
Which criterion should be used to compare solutions for this problem: a model roof must drain rainwater away from a doorway?
- no water reaches the seeds
- uses one plastic sheet and four straws
- each message has a different pattern
- keeps the doorway area dry
Which constraint must the design team consider for "a shade cover must cool a playground thermometer"?
- uses only short and long flashes
- uses one envelope and one coating material
- uses only two sheets of paper and tape
- uses one square meter of fabric
Evidence: light fabric lowered the reading by 7 degrees. Which solution comparison is best supported?
- keep the folded beams and strengthen the center span
- make the side channel deeper
- tilt the fabric to block afternoon Sun too
- add longer pauses between messages
Why compare more than one solution for "a paper bridge must hold 20 washers"?
- constraints should be ignored
- different designs may meet the criteria and constraints with different tradeoffs
- evidence makes solutions impossible
- the first design is always best