Virginia SOL 3.1.b.vi

Science3rd GradeScientific and Engineering Practices

The Standard

use tools and/or materials to design and/or build a device that solves a specific problem

Virginia Standards of Learning for Science · The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify what a device must accomplish, sketch a plan, and choose suitable tools and materials. They build, test against a clear criterion, record results, and revise the design.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can build a working device within given limits, such as size, materials, or time. The student can explain how test results led to a specific design change.
Common Misconceptions: Students may start building without a plan or choose materials only because they look appealing. They may treat the first failed test as the end instead of using results to improve the device.
How to Assess It: Give students paper, tape, and scissors. Ask them to build a bridge that spans 15 centimeters, holds ten pennies, and explain one design choice.

Lesson moves

Give pairs two index cards, tape, and scissors to build a bridge that spans 15 centimeters and holds ten pennies.
Ask students to write: Your bridge bent during testing; what would you change, and what evidence supports that change?
Run a design relay where teams sketch, build, test, and revise a paper tower within four timed rounds.
Take a classroom tool walk; students sketch three devices, name each problem solved, and explain why each material fits.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 3.1.b.vi, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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