Compare Solutions with Criteria - 4th Grade Science
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What should you do first when comparing two possible solutions to a science problem?
What should you do first when comparing two possible solutions to a science problem?
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List the criteria and constraints. Identify requirements before evaluating how well solutions meet them.
List the criteria and constraints. Identify requirements before evaluating how well solutions meet them.
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What tool is most useful to compare several solutions against the same criteria?
What tool is most useful to compare several solutions against the same criteria?
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A comparison table or checklist. Organizes criteria for systematic side-by-side evaluation.
A comparison table or checklist. Organizes criteria for systematic side-by-side evaluation.
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Which solution should be rejected immediately: one that meets criteria but breaks a constraint, or one that meets all constraints?
Which solution should be rejected immediately: one that meets criteria but breaks a constraint, or one that meets all constraints?
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Reject the solution that breaks a constraint. Constraints are mandatory; breaking one disqualifies the solution.
Reject the solution that breaks a constraint. Constraints are mandatory; breaking one disqualifies the solution.
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Which solution is most effective if the criterion is least material used: A uses $12$ cm, B uses $9$ cm, C uses $10$ cm?
Which solution is most effective if the criterion is least material used: A uses $12$ cm, B uses $9$ cm, C uses $10$ cm?
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Solution B. $9$ cm $<$ $10$ cm $<$ $12$ cm, so B uses the least.
Solution B. $9$ cm $<$ $10$ cm $<$ $12$ cm, so B uses the least.
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Which option is the correct meaning of "trade-off" when selecting a solution?
Which option is the correct meaning of "trade-off" when selecting a solution?
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Gaining one benefit while giving up another. Trade-offs involve sacrificing one advantage for another.
Gaining one benefit while giving up another. Trade-offs involve sacrificing one advantage for another.
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Which option should be rejected if the constraint is “length must be $\leq 30$ cm”: $29$ cm or $31$ cm?
Which option should be rejected if the constraint is “length must be $\leq 30$ cm”: $29$ cm or $31$ cm?
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$31$ cm. $31 > 30$, violating the constraint; $29 \leq 30$ is acceptable.
$31$ cm. $31 > 30$, violating the constraint; $29 \leq 30$ is acceptable.
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Identify the correct statement: A solution can break constraints if it meets criteria very well.
Identify the correct statement: A solution can break constraints if it meets criteria very well.
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Incorrect; a solution must meet all constraints. Constraints are mandatory; breaking them disqualifies a solution.
Incorrect; a solution must meet all constraints. Constraints are mandatory; breaking them disqualifies a solution.
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Which option is a constraint: “must cost under $10” or “should be easy to use”?
Which option is a constraint: “must cost under $10” or “should be easy to use”?
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Must cost under $10. "Must" indicates a requirement, making it a constraint.
Must cost under $10. "Must" indicates a requirement, making it a constraint.
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Identify the better solution if the criterion is “highest strength”: $8$ N or $12$ N.
Identify the better solution if the criterion is “highest strength”: $8$ N or $12$ N.
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$12$ N. $12 > 8$, so it provides greater strength.
$12$ N. $12 > 8$, so it provides greater strength.
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Which option is a criterion: “must be safe” or “should be lightweight”?
Which option is a criterion: “must be safe” or “should be lightweight”?
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Should be lightweight. "Should" indicates a preference, making it a criterion.
Should be lightweight. "Should" indicates a preference, making it a criterion.
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Find the most effective option if the constraint is “volume must be $\geq 2$ L”: $1.5$ L or $2.2$ L.
Find the most effective option if the constraint is “volume must be $\geq 2$ L”: $1.5$ L or $2.2$ L.
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$2.2$ L. $2.2 \geq 2$ meets the constraint; $1.5 < 2$ fails.
$2.2$ L. $2.2 \geq 2$ meets the constraint; $1.5 < 2$ fails.
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Which solution should you choose if safety is a constraint and Solution A is unsafe while B is safe?
Which solution should you choose if safety is a constraint and Solution A is unsafe while B is safe?
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Solution B. Safety constraints eliminate unsafe options immediately.
Solution B. Safety constraints eliminate unsafe options immediately.
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What does it mean to trade off when choosing between two solutions?
What does it mean to trade off when choosing between two solutions?
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Improving one criterion may worsen another. Trade-offs occur when solutions excel in different areas.
Improving one criterion may worsen another. Trade-offs occur when solutions excel in different areas.
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Which tool best helps compare several solutions fairly using the same criteria?
Which tool best helps compare several solutions fairly using the same criteria?
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A decision matrix or scoring table. Matrices organize criteria scores for objective comparison.
A decision matrix or scoring table. Matrices organize criteria scores for objective comparison.
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Which solution is best if criteria weights are equal and totals are A=$10$, B=$10$, C=$9$?
Which solution is best if criteria weights are equal and totals are A=$10$, B=$10$, C=$9$?
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A and B are tied. Equal scores mean both solutions perform equally well.
A and B are tied. Equal scores mean both solutions perform equally well.
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Which option is more effective for the criterion “uses less energy”: $15$ J or $20$ J?
Which option is more effective for the criterion “uses less energy”: $15$ J or $20$ J?
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$15$ J. $15 < 20$, using less energy as desired.
$15$ J. $15 < 20$, using less energy as desired.
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Identify the best choice if the constraint is “time must be $\leq 5$ min”: $4$ min or $6$ min.
Identify the best choice if the constraint is “time must be $\leq 5$ min”: $4$ min or $6$ min.
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$4$ min. $4 \leq 5$ meets the constraint; $6 > 5$ violates it.
$4$ min. $4 \leq 5$ meets the constraint; $6 > 5$ violates it.
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Choose the most effective solution if all constraints are met and scores are: A=$7$, B=$9$, C=$8$.
Choose the most effective solution if all constraints are met and scores are: A=$7$, B=$9$, C=$8$.
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Solution B. B has the highest score ($9$) among all solutions.
Solution B. B has the highest score ($9$) among all solutions.
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Which option is the best reason to test a prototype before choosing a final solution?
Which option is the best reason to test a prototype before choosing a final solution?
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To collect evidence about how well it meets criteria. Testing provides data to evaluate criteria performance.
To collect evidence about how well it meets criteria. Testing provides data to evaluate criteria performance.
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Which solution is most effective if the constraint is “mass must be under $200$ g”: $180$ g or $240$ g?
Which solution is most effective if the constraint is “mass must be under $200$ g”: $180$ g or $240$ g?
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$180$ g. $180 < 200$, so it meets the constraint; $240 > 200$ fails.
$180$ g. $180 < 200$, so it meets the constraint; $240 > 200$ fails.
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