Improving Communication Devices - 1st Grade Science
Card 1 of 15
Which change is most appropriate if a cup-and-string phone string keeps sagging: pull it tight or leave it loose?
Which change is most appropriate if a cup-and-string phone string keeps sagging: pull it tight or leave it loose?
Tap to reveal answer
Pull it tight. Taut strings carry sound vibrations better than loose ones.
Pull it tight. Taut strings carry sound vibrations better than loose ones.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the main goal of improving a communication device after testing it?
What is the main goal of improving a communication device after testing it?
Tap to reveal answer
To make the device work better based on test results. Testing reveals what needs fixing to enhance performance.
To make the device work better based on test results. Testing reveals what needs fixing to enhance performance.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What do you call a part of the device that worked well during a test?
What do you call a part of the device that worked well during a test?
Tap to reveal answer
A success. Success means the part functioned as intended.
A success. Success means the part functioned as intended.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What do you call a part of the device that did not work well during a test?
What do you call a part of the device that did not work well during a test?
Tap to reveal answer
A problem. Problems are parts that failed to meet expectations.
A problem. Problems are parts that failed to meet expectations.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which step comes right after you test a communication device: plan, build, test, or improve?
Which step comes right after you test a communication device: plan, build, test, or improve?
Tap to reveal answer
Improve. The engineering cycle follows: plan, build, test, then improve.
Improve. The engineering cycle follows: plan, build, test, then improve.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is one correct way to record what worked and what did not during a device test?
What is one correct way to record what worked and what did not during a device test?
Tap to reveal answer
Write notes in a results chart. Charts organize test data for easy analysis.
Write notes in a results chart. Charts organize test data for easy analysis.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which action best uses test results: guessing changes or using observations to choose changes?
Which action best uses test results: guessing changes or using observations to choose changes?
Tap to reveal answer
Using observations to choose changes. Data-driven changes are more effective than random guesses.
Using observations to choose changes. Data-driven changes are more effective than random guesses.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What does it mean to improve a device fairly by changing only one thing at a time?
What does it mean to improve a device fairly by changing only one thing at a time?
Tap to reveal answer
Change one variable at a time. Testing one change isolates its effect on performance.
Change one variable at a time. Testing one change isolates its effect on performance.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What should you do first when a device does not work as planned during a test?
What should you do first when a device does not work as planned during a test?
Tap to reveal answer
Identify what part caused the problem. Finding the cause helps target the right solution.
Identify what part caused the problem. Finding the cause helps target the right solution.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which choice is the best reason to keep parts that worked well: to save time or to avoid improvement?
Which choice is the best reason to keep parts that worked well: to save time or to avoid improvement?
Tap to reveal answer
To save time by keeping what already works. Efficiency means preserving successful components.
To save time by keeping what already works. Efficiency means preserving successful components.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the best improvement goal: “make it prettier” or “make the message clearer to hear.”
Identify the best improvement goal: “make it prettier” or “make the message clearer to hear.”
Tap to reveal answer
Make the message clearer to hear. Function matters more than appearance for communication.
Make the message clearer to hear. Function matters more than appearance for communication.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which change is most appropriate if a cup-and-string phone sounds too quiet: shorter string or longer string?
Which change is most appropriate if a cup-and-string phone sounds too quiet: shorter string or longer string?
Tap to reveal answer
Shorter string. Shorter strings transmit vibrations more effectively.
Shorter string. Shorter strings transmit vibrations more effectively.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the best fix if the string slips out of the cup hole: make a knot or cut the string shorter.
Identify the best fix if the string slips out of the cup hole: make a knot or cut the string shorter.
Tap to reveal answer
Make a knot. Knots prevent the string from detaching during use.
Make a knot. Knots prevent the string from detaching during use.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which improvement best matches this result: “sound was muffled by the cup”?
Which improvement best matches this result: “sound was muffled by the cup”?
Tap to reveal answer
Use a stiffer cup material. Rigid materials vibrate better to transmit sound clearly.
Use a stiffer cup material. Rigid materials vibrate better to transmit sound clearly.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Find the best next step: You changed one part and it worked better; what should you do next?
Find the best next step: You changed one part and it worked better; what should you do next?
Tap to reveal answer
Test again to confirm the improvement. Retesting verifies the change actually helped.
Test again to confirm the improvement. Retesting verifies the change actually helped.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →