Design and Test a Solution
Grade 4 - Science - Challenge Me
Design problem: a model roof must drain rainwater away from a doorway. Which criterion tells what success means?
- no water reaches the seeds
- holds at least 20 washers
- keeps the doorway area dry
- each message has a different pattern
Which constraint limits the design for this problem: a model roof must drain rainwater away from a doorway?
- uses one envelope and one coating material
- uses one plastic sheet and four straws
- uses ten craft sticks
- uses one square meter of fabric
Which solution best matches this problem and constraints: a paper bridge must hold 20 washers?
- 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
- stretch light-colored fabric over the thermometer area
Which fair test would compare solutions for this problem: a model roof must drain rainwater away from a doorway?
- run a fan for one minute and measure sand moved
- pour the same amount of water on each roof model
- spray each package five times and check the seeds
- ask a partner to read the flash cards without hints
Evidence: wax paper kept seeds dry while plain paper became damp. Which improvement follows from the test?
- seal the envelope edges with tape
- add longer pauses between messages
- reduce gaps between the sticks
- make the side channel deeper
Design problem: a seed package must keep seeds dry. Which criterion tells what success means?
- keeps most sand in the tray
- no water reaches the seeds
- uses one envelope and one coating material
- keeps the doorway area dry
Which constraint limits the design for this problem: a wind barrier must stop soil from blowing away?
- uses one envelope and one coating material
- uses only two sheets of paper and tape
- uses ten craft sticks
- uses one square meter of fabric
Which solution best matches this problem and constraints: a shade cover must cool a playground thermometer?
- assign a different short-long flash pattern to each message
- stretch light-colored fabric over the thermometer area
- coat the envelope with wax paper
- fold the paper into beams before taping it
Which fair test would compare solutions for this problem: a shade cover must cool a playground thermometer?
- measure temperature in sun and under the cover at noon
- run a fan for one minute and measure sand moved
- spray each package five times and check the seeds
- pour the same amount of water on each roof model
Evidence: the side-channel roof kept the doorway dry twice. Which improvement follows from the test?
- add longer pauses between messages
- make the side channel deeper
- keep the folded beams and strengthen the center span
- seal the envelope edges with tape