Engineering Design Process — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Grade 3 students must design a cup holder that fits on a desk using only paper and tape. What is the main constraint?
A) The students' names
B) The classroom's paint color
C) The allowed materials are only paper and tape
D) The time of day when they work
Grade 3 NGSS 3-5-ETS1: material limits are classic constraints.
2. A toy car design must roll 1 meter. This rule is an example of a:
A) Constraint on color
B) Criterion for success
C) List of materials
D) Name for the prototype
Grade 3 science: a rule for success is called a criterion.
3. A Grade 3 team tests two bridge designs. Design A holds 8 blocks, Design B holds 12. What should they do?
A) Pick Design A because it is simpler
B) Study Design B and improve weak parts
C) Start over with no data
D) Combine them randomly without planning
Grade 3 NGSS 3-5-ETS1: compare results and build on successes.
4. Why do Grade 3 engineers iterate their designs?
A) Because the first try is always perfect
B) To waste time and materials
C) To improve the design based on test results
D) Because the teacher requires them to
Grade 3 science: iteration improves designs based on evidence.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. A working test version of a design is called a prototype.
Grade 3 vocabulary: prototypes test the idea before final build.
2. The limits on a design, like materials or time, are called constraints.
Grade 3 NGSS 3-5-ETS1: constraints define allowed design choices.
3. The rules that tell when a design is successful are the criteria.
Grade 3 science: criteria are success conditions.
4. Repeating the design steps to make a design better is iteration.
Grade 3 NGSS 3-5-ETS1: iteration leads to stronger designs.
5. When Grade 3 engineers change a design based on data, they improve it.
Grade 3 science: engineers improve designs using test evidence.