Test and Evaluate
Students are now ready to test how well their designs meet the criteria, while staying within the constraints.
In the video, students tested their water filters by pouring “contaminated” water through the filters and evaluating three things: the color and particles in the filtered water, the time it took to filter ¼ cup of water, and the total cost of the filter materials.
Some elementary students need extra support to help them evaluate their results. The tips below will help to scaffold the process for younger students.
- Support elementary students by sharing solutions between groups. Pair a group that has a stronger grasp of the data with a struggling group.
- When possible, include a handout to guide the students through collecting and analyzing their data. As an example, see the handout Ms. Salchli used in the water filter challenge.
Reflect on the test & evaluate step in the water filter video on page 6. Recall how Ms. Salchli made sure the designated timekeeper for each group was ready to begin testing. You may choose to watch the video once more.
Consider the following questions. Then, use the text box below to write down ways you can adapt these techniques for your own design challenge.
- How did Ms. Salchli coordinate different groups testing at the same time and how did she support students who might have issues using the equipment?
- How did Ms. Salchli use visuals to help students keep track of the criteria while evaluating their results?
