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1st grade · Science · Unit 8 of 8

Test Two Designs

Test two things that solve the same problem. Which works better?

What your child practices

Practices comparing two designs that solve the same problem by looking at simple test results (how many pennies a boat holds, how far a car rolls), naming each design's strengths and weaknesses, and testing fairly.

New York State Learning Standards learning standard: K-2-ETS1-3 · comparing test results from two designs that solve the same problem, and naming each one's strengths and weaknesses

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Two designs can solve the same problem.
  2. Test both and look at the results.
  3. Each design has good and bad parts. Pick the one that works best.

Example: Cup A leaks. Cup B does not. Which is better for juice? Juice must stay in the cup. Cup B does not leak. Answer: Cup B

Test Two Designs in New York

In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 8 of 8 in 1st grade Science, after Plant Parts at Work.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: New York State Education Department (NYSED)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    We count how far each car rolls. Our counts are called…

    • a story
    • data
    • a song
    • a guess

  2. Question 2

    Two balls bounce. Which tool helps us measure each bounce?

    • A pillow
    • A crayon
    • A spoon
    • A ruler

  3. Question 3

    A weakness of a design is something it…

    • is named
    • does not do well
    • is colored
    • does very well

  4. Question 4

    Tape holds the card for 2 days. Glue holds it for 9 days. Which lasts?

    • Neither one
    • Glue
    • Tape
    • Both the same

  5. Question 5

    Hat A shades your face. Hat B does not. Which is better for sunny days?

    • Neither hat
    • They are the same
    • Hat A
    • Hat B

  6. Question 6

    Fan A cools well but is loud. What is Fan A's weakness?

    • It cools well
    • It is quiet
    • It is a fan
    • It is loud

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