Engineering Design
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.
Grade Three Expectations for Engineering Design
Essential Learning Outcome 1: Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost
- Identify problems that can be solved through the design process
- Distinguish between needs and wants in the context of design problems
- Define criteria for successful solutions
- Identify constraints on materials, time, or cost
- Formulate clear problem statements
- Research and gather information about the design problem
- Communicate design problems effectively
Specific Curriculum Outcomes
By the end of Grade Three, the learner will be expected to:
Inclusive Assessment Strategies
Assessment strategies that provide information about learning:
- Observations: Teacher observations during problem definition, solution development, and testing activities
- Conversations: Student explanations of design problems, solutions, and test results
- Products: Student work samples, including problem statements, design sketches, prototypes, and test results
Sample Assessment Tools:
- Observation checklists for engineering design process skills
- Rubrics for evaluating design solutions and prototypes
- Performance tasks involving engineering design challenges
- Exit tickets to assess daily learning objectives
- Engineering design journals for documenting the design process
Inclusive Learning Strategies
Additional Resources and Materials
For Teachers
- Materials for building and testing prototypes
- Engineering design process posters and visual aids
- Sample design challenges and problem scenarios
- Books and articles about engineering and design for children
- Videos and images of engineering design in action
- OECS Grade 3 Science Curriculum Guide
For Students
- Engineering design journals for documenting the design process
- Materials for creating sketches and models
- Testing materials and tools
- Engineering and design vocabulary cards
- Visual aids and reference materials
Teacher Content Knowledge
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.