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Comparing Possible Solutions

PROCEDURAL
Science›Scientific Inquiry|Ages 8—11|ID: mt_HveO1bOXpJ

Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints

Mastery Evidence

  • Generate at least three possible solutions to a defined design problem
  • Compare solutions against the specified criteria and constraints
  • Select the most promising solution with reasoning for the choice

Assessment Prompt

“Can [child] brainstorm several different solutions to a design challenge and then compare them to decide which one best meets the requirements?”

Curriculum Standards1 alignment

3-5-ETS1-2Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) K-5codes only
Standard code — full text not included in this dataset.

Prerequisites1

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  • Simple Design Problems hard

    Must define a design problem before generating and comparing multiple solutions

    • Comparing Design Solutions hard

      Must analyse simple design comparisons before formally defining design problems with criteria/constraints

      • Modelling with Sketches hard

        Must create models before comparing test results of two designs

        • Asking scientific questions hard

          Must ask questions about problems before modelling design solutions

          • Asking Questions soft

            Formulating scientific questions builds on the general skill of asking relevant questions to extend understanding, developed in English speaking and listening

            • Question Words hard

              Generating effective questions requires knowledge of question words (who, what, where, when, why, how)

            • Listening and responding hard

              Listening and responding needed before asking questions

            • Exploring Ideas Through Talk soft

              Related speaking skill supports this topic

              • Feeling of not understanding soft

                Using talk to explore ideas and speculate requires noticing what you don't yet understand — the comprehension-monitoring habit in a spoken register

                • Asking for Help hard

                  Noticing confusion and acting on it requires already knowing that asking for help is a valid response to being stuck

          • Observation vs Interpretation soft

            Asking good scientific questions requires noticing the distinction between observation and interpretation — a question like 'why did this happen?' only makes sense once you've separated what you saw from what you inferred

            • Feeling of not understanding soft

              Noticing the observation/interpretation distinction requires monitoring your own thinking — the universal comprehension-monitoring habit applied to scientific reasoning

              • Asking for Help hard

                Noticing confusion and acting on it requires already knowing that asking for help is a valid response to being stuck

          • Feeling of not understanding soft

            Asking scientific questions is the science-domain expression of the universal comprehension-monitoring habit: noticing what you don't yet understand

            • Asking for Help hard

              Noticing confusion and acting on it requires already knowing that asking for help is a valid response to being stuck

          • Persisting When It's Hard soft

            Scientific enquiry requires persistence through uncertainty — the universal persistence habit underpins willingness to keep investigating

      • Recording Data hard

        Must gather/record data before analysing data from design tests

        • Simple tests and experiments hard

          Must perform tests before learning to gather and record data

          • Observing with simple equipment hard

            Must observe closely before performing simple tests

            • Asking scientific questions hard

              Must ask questions before learning to observe closely

              • Asking Questions soft

                Formulating scientific questions builds on the general skill of asking relevant questions to extend understanding, developed in English speaking and listening

                • Question Words hard

                  Generating effective questions requires knowledge of question words (who, what, where, when, why, how)

                • Listening and responding hard

                  Listening and responding needed before asking questions

                • Exploring Ideas Through Talk soft

                  Related speaking skill supports this topic

                  • Feeling of not understanding soft

                    Using talk to explore ideas and speculate requires noticing what you don't yet understand — the comprehension-monitoring habit in a spoken register

                    • Asking for Help hard

                      Noticing confusion and acting on it requires already knowing that asking for help is a valid response to being stuck

              • Observation vs Interpretation soft

                Asking good scientific questions requires noticing the distinction between observation and interpretation — a question like 'why did this happen?' only makes sense once you've separated what you saw from what you inferred

                • Feeling of not understanding soft

                  Noticing the observation/interpretation distinction requires monitoring your own thinking — the universal comprehension-monitoring habit applied to scientific reasoning

                  • Asking for Help hard

                    Noticing confusion and acting on it requires already knowing that asking for help is a valid response to being stuck

              • Feeling of not understanding soft

                Asking scientific questions is the science-domain expression of the universal comprehension-monitoring habit: noticing what you don't yet understand

                • Asking for Help hard

                  Noticing confusion and acting on it requires already knowing that asking for help is a valid response to being stuck

              • Persisting When It's Hard soft

                Scientific enquiry requires persistence through uncertainty — the universal persistence habit underpins willingness to keep investigating

Unlocks1