HS-ETS1-1
The standard
Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
Next Generation Science Standards
What this standard means
Students need to study a big world problem, such as clean water, food waste, flooding, or energy access, then define what a good solution must do. They should name measurable targets, like cost, speed, safety, size, or energy use, and non-measurable needs, like fairness, cultural fit, or public acceptance.
Mastery looks like a clear problem statement with specific criteria and real constraints, backed by evidence. Students often get stuck writing vague goals like “make it better,” ignoring tradeoffs, or listing constraints that do not match the people affected.
Ways to teach it
- Have teams sort stakeholder cards, budget limits, and data tables for a water filter challenge, then write three criteria and three constraints.
- Ask students to write: Who is affected by this problem, what do they need, and what would make a solution unacceptable?
- Give a proposed solar cooker design and ask students to label two measurable criteria, two constraints, and one missing stakeholder need.
- Analyze a local transit, waste, or flooding issue using city data, then define criteria a realistic solution would need to meet.
Plan a lesson for HS-ETS1-1
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related standards
- MS-ETS1-1
Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific princ...
- HS-ETS1-4
Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions withi...
- MS-ETS1-2
Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
- HS-ETS1-3
Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety...