Engineering Design Process — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A Grade 3 class must build a bridge to hold 20 coins. Stating this goal is the ask step.
In Grade 3, the ask step defines what the problem and goal are.
2. Before building a tower, Grade 3 engineers list rules like height and materials called criteria.
Criteria in Grade 3 tell engineers what counts as a successful design.
3. A limit such as using only 10 straws for a Grade 3 tower is called a constraint.
A constraint in Grade 3 engineering is a limit on time, cost, or materials.
4. Grade 3 students draw many rainproof cover ideas during the imagine step.
In Grade 3, the imagine step creates many possible design ideas.
5. After choosing one rainproof cover idea, Grade 3 engineers make a plan with materials listed.
A plan in Grade 3 shows the exact steps and materials to build.
6. Grade 3 students build a small bridge model called a prototype during the create step.
A prototype in Grade 3 is a first build used to test the design.
7. Loading coins on a Grade 3 bridge to see when it breaks is the test step.
Testing in Grade 3 shows how well the prototype meets the criteria.
8. After testing, Grade 3 engineers make changes, called improve, to make the design better.
Improving in Grade 3 means updating the design based on test results.
9. Repeating the design steps over and over to make a better design is called iterate.
To iterate in Grade 3 means looping through steps to keep improving.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Grade 3 class lists: bridge must hold 20 coins, use paper only
→ Ask step (criteria and constraints)
Ask step (criteria and constraints)
Grade 3 team sketches 6 different rainproof cover ideas
→ Imagine step (brainstorming)
Imagine step (brainstorming)
Grade 3 students build a straw tower model to try it
→ Create step (build prototype)
Create step (build prototype)
Grade 3 team loads coins on bridge and records when it falls
→ Test step (try and record)
Test step (try and record)
Grade 3 engineers use ask, imagine, create, and test steps to solve problems.