View largerEngineering design process poster for kids
Describing the steps engineers use to solve problems
1 page104 KB
Engineering Design Process Worksheets
The steps engineers follow, criteria and constraints, fair tests, comparing designs with data, and a planner for any building challenge.
Download the engineering design worksheets
The design process
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View all 2 pagesEngineering design process cut and paste
Sequencing the steps of the engineering design process
Answer key on page 2
2 pages212 KB
View all 2 pagesEngineering design process Worksheet: number the steps
Sequencing the steps of the engineering design process
Answer key on page 2
2 pages179 KB
Plan and test
View all 2 pagesCriteria and constraints sort worksheet
Sorting the requirements of a design problem into criteria and constraints
Answer key on page 2
2 pages43 KB
View all 2 pagesFair test worksheet for 3rd grade
Identifying fair tests in which only one variable changes
Answer key on page 2
2 pages40 KB
View all 2 pagesEngineering Design: compare paper bridge designs
Comparing test data from several designs to judge which best meets the criteria
Answer key on page 2
2 pages49 KB
View largerEngineering design challenge planner (Blank)
Planning, testing and improving a design for any challenge
1 page29 KB
Print at 100% (actual size) for the cleanest tracing lines.
About these engineering design worksheets
Engineers solve problems by defining them, imagining ideas, building models, testing them fairly and improving them. Third graders can do the same with paper, straws and tape.
These engineering design worksheets teach the steps of the design process (as cut and paste and a no-cut twin), the difference between criteria and constraints, how to spot a fair test, and how to compare three paper bridges using test data. A blank planner works for any challenge in your class.
Every page is black and white, prints on US Letter or A4, and every page with right answers has an answer key on page 2.
Standards
NGSS 3-5-ETS1-1Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.NGSS 3-5-ETS1-3Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.NGSS 3-5-ETS1-2Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
How to use them
- Show the poster and walk through a quick challenge: build the tallest tower from 10 index cards in 5 minutes.
- Use the design steps cut and paste page or its no-cut twin.
- Sort criteria and constraints before any challenge so children know the rules.
- Build paper bridges, test with pennies, and compare your data with the bridge data page.
- Copy the planner for every new challenge.
Teaching tips
- Criteria are what the design must do. Constraints are the limits: materials, time and cost.
- A fair test changes only one thing at a time.
- Failure is useful: the weak point shows what to improve.
- The steps often loop. Engineers test and improve many times.
- Pair this topic with the earthquake tower and magnet design challenges on the natural hazards and magnets pages.
Questions teachers and parents ask
What are the steps of the engineering design process?
Define the problem, imagine solutions, plan, build a model, test it and improve it. The steps often repeat many times.
What is the difference between criteria and constraints?
Criteria are what a design must do to succeed, like hold 20 pennies. Constraints are limits, like using only 2 sheets of paper or 15 minutes.
What is a fair test?
A test where only one thing changes and everything else stays the same, so you know what caused the result.