Design and Test a Solution
Grade 4 - Science - On Level
Design problem: a warning code must send three messages with light. Which criterion tells what success means?
- each message has a different pattern
- lowers the temperature by at least 5 degrees
- keeps the doorway area dry
- keeps most sand in the tray
Which constraint limits the design for this problem: a model roof must drain rainwater away from a doorway?
- uses only short and long flashes
- uses one plastic sheet and four straws
- keeps the doorway area dry
- uses only two sheets of paper and tape
Which solution best matches this problem and constraints: a wind barrier must stop soil from blowing away?
- place sticks close together across the windy side
- stretch light-colored fabric over the thermometer area
- fold the paper into beams before taping it
- assign a different short-long flash pattern to each message
Which fair test would compare solutions for this problem: a seed package must keep seeds dry?
- ask a partner to read the flash cards without hints
- spray each package five times and check the seeds
- add washers one at a time until the bridge bends
- measure temperature in sun and under the cover at noon
Evidence: light fabric lowered the reading by 7 degrees. Which improvement follows from the test?
- seal the envelope edges with tape
- tilt the fabric to block afternoon Sun too
- add longer pauses between messages
- make the side channel deeper
Design problem: a wind barrier must stop soil from blowing away. Which criterion tells what success means?
- each message has a different pattern
- holds at least 20 washers
- lowers the temperature by at least 5 degrees
- keeps most sand in the tray
Which constraint limits the design for this problem: a paper bridge must hold 20 washers?
- holds at least 20 washers
- uses ten craft sticks
- uses one envelope and one coating material
- uses only two sheets of paper and tape
Which solution best matches this problem and constraints: a seed package must keep seeds dry?
- place sticks close together across the windy side
- coat the envelope with wax paper
- stretch light-colored fabric over the thermometer area
- 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?
- ask a partner to read the flash cards without hints
- measure temperature in sun and under the cover at noon
- spray each package five times and check the seeds
- pour the same amount of water on each roof model
Evidence: close sticks lost less sand than wide gaps. Which improvement follows from the test?
- make the side channel deeper
- keep the folded beams and strengthen the center span
- reduce gaps between the sticks
- add longer pauses between messages