Texas TEKS 4.2.D

Science4th GradeScientific and engineering practices

The Standard

evaluate a design or object using criteria.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students test a design or object against clear criteria. They use observations and measurements to decide how well it meets each criterion.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can record test results and compare them with the given criteria. They can support their evaluation with specific evidence instead of personal preference.
Common Misconceptions: Students may pick the design they like best without checking the criteria. They may also confuse criteria, such as strength, with constraints, such as cost or materials.
How to Assess It: Give students test data for two paper bridges. Ask which bridge best meets the criteria of holding 20 coins while using one sheet of paper.

Lesson moves

Build paper towers, then evaluate each tower for height, stability, and amount of paper used.
Ask students to choose the best pencil case design and defend their choice using capacity, durability, and ease of use.
Match design cards with test results, then score each design against a three-item criteria checklist.
Compare two reusable water bottles for cost, leak resistance, durability, and ease of cleaning, then recommend one for a student.

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