Texas TEKS 8.2.D

Science8th GradeScientific and engineering practices

The Standard

evaluate experimental and engineering designs

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students judge whether a test can answer its question or whether a solution meets stated needs. They use data to identify strengths, flaws, tradeoffs, and useful revisions.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can spot missing controls, weak measurements, limited trials, and unfair comparisons. They can compare solutions against criteria and constraints, then support a recommendation with test data.
Common Misconceptions: Students may assume a successful result proves the plan was sound. They may choose a solution by preference, ignore cost or safety limits, or suggest changes without evidence.
How to Assess It: Give students two plans for testing which paper towel absorbs more water. Ask them to choose the fairer plan, name one flaw in the other, and propose a fix.

Lesson moves

Build and test two paper bridges, then use load data and a material limit to choose the stronger design and suggest one revision.
Compare two lab plans and write which one gives more trustworthy results, citing controls, repeated trials, and measurement choices.
Run a design flaw hunt with scenario cards, awarding points for finding each flaw and proposing a specific fix.
Inspect two phone-case test reports, then recommend a model based on drop protection, cost, weight, and test quality.

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