In Grade 3, students learn to define simple design problems, develop possible solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness. They apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine devices that solve specific problems, developing skills in planning, testing, and improving their designs. Through these activities, students build an understanding of the engineering design process and how it can be used to solve real-world problems.
By the end of Grade Three, the learner will be expected to:
Assessment strategies that provide information about learning:
Engineering Design in Grade 3 builds upon students' earlier experiences with solving problems and creating solutions. Students develop a deeper understanding of the engineering design process, including defining problems, developing solutions, and optimizing designs through testing and improvement. They learn to define problems in terms of criteria (what the design must accomplish) and constraints (limitations on materials, time, or cost). Students practice generating multiple solutions, comparing them based on how well they meet the criteria and constraints, and selecting the most promising solutions for testing. They also learn to plan and conduct fair tests, analyze results, and use the information to improve their designs. Through these activities, students develop important skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, while also learning to apply scientific knowledge to real-world problems.
