Engineering Design and Innovation · Weeks 19-27

Developing and Testing Prototypes

Creating multiple solutions and testing them to see which best meets the criteria.

About This Topic

Developing and testing prototypes is where engineering ideas meet reality. In this topic, fifth graders learn that a prototype is a preliminary model used to test a concept. They discover that the goal of a prototype isn't to be perfect, but to provide data. This stage of the NGSS engineering process emphasizes 'fair testing', ensuring that when we compare two designs, we test them under the exact same conditions.

Students learn that failure is a vital part of the process. When a prototype breaks or fails to meet a criterion, it tells the engineer exactly what needs to be fixed. This mindset shift from 'getting it right' to 'learning from the test' is essential for scientific and engineering literacy.

Students grasp this concept faster through structured discussion and peer explanation as they compare their prototype results and identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches.

Learning Objectives

• Compare the performance of two different prototype designs against a set of defined criteria.
• Explain how testing a prototype provides data that informs design improvements.
• Critique a prototype's design based on test results, identifying specific areas for modification.

Before You Start

Identifying Problems and Criteria

Why: Students need to be able to define a problem and establish success criteria before they can design and test solutions.

Brainstorming and Designing Solutions

Why: Students must have a design to build and test, so prior experience in generating multiple ideas is necessary.

Key Vocabulary

Prototype	A preliminary model or sample of a product, built to test a concept or process before mass production or final design.
Criteria	Specific requirements or standards that a design must meet to be considered successful.
Constraint	A limitation or restriction that engineers must consider when designing a solution, such as materials, time, or cost.
Fair Test	An experiment where only one variable is changed at a time, ensuring that the results are due to that single change and not other factors.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Paper Plane Derby

Groups build two different paper plane designs (prototypes). They must conduct a 'fair test' by throwing each plane five times from the same spot and measuring the distance, then comparing which design best met the 'long distance' criterion.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Gallery Walk: Prototype Critique

Students display their initial prototypes for a simple task (like a pencil holder). Peers walk around with 'I like...' and 'I wonder...' sticky notes to provide constructive feedback on the design's potential.

⏱ 30 min·Individual

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: The 'Beautiful Failure'

Show a video of a famous engineering failure (like a bridge wobbling). Students discuss in pairs: 'What did the engineers learn from this failure that helped them build the next one better?'

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Real-World Connections

Automotive engineers at Ford build and test clay models and physical prototypes of new car designs to evaluate aerodynamics and aesthetics before committing to expensive manufacturing processes.

Toy designers create and test prototypes of new games or toys with children to observe how they play, identify potential safety issues, and refine the rules or features for better engagement.

Architects construct scale models of buildings to test structural integrity and visualize how different materials will look and perform under various environmental conditions before construction begins.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

If my prototype fails, I am a bad engineer.

What to Teach Instead

Students often feel discouraged by failure. By highlighting 'Beautiful Failures' in class discussions, teachers can help students see that every failure is actually a successful data point that guides the next improvement.

Common Misconception

You only need to build one prototype.

What to Teach Instead

Students often stop after their first attempt. Collaborative activities that require comparing two different designs help them realize that having multiple options is the only way to find the 'best' solution.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

After testing prototypes, ask students to write down two things their prototype did well and one thing it did not do well, referencing specific criteria. For example: 'My bridge held 5 pennies (criterion met), but it bent significantly under the weight (criterion not met).'

Discussion Prompt

Facilitate a class discussion using the prompt: 'Imagine your group's prototype failed a test. What specific information did that failure give you? How does this information help you improve the design for the next test?'

Peer Assessment

Have students observe a peer group testing their prototype. Provide a simple checklist for observers: Did the testers change only one variable? Did they record the results? Did they discuss what the results meant? Observers can then share one positive observation and one suggestion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 'fair test' in engineering?

A fair test means you change only one thing at a time while keeping everything else the same. For example, if you are testing bridge designs, you must use the same amount of tape and the same type of weights for every test.

How can active learning help students develop prototypes?

Active learning, like the 'Paper Plane Derby,' turns testing into a social, data-driven event. When students have to prove their design works to their peers using measurements, they move away from 'guessing' and toward 'evidence-based' design. This collaborative environment also makes it safer to fail, as the focus is on the group's data rather than individual performance.

Can a drawing be a prototype?

Yes! That is called a 'diagrammatic prototype.' However, for 5th grade, we focus on 'physical prototypes' because they allow students to see how materials actually behave under stress or in motion.

Why do we use models instead of building the real thing?

Models and prototypes are cheaper, faster, and safer to build. They allow engineers to find and fix problems before they spend a lot of money or build something that could be dangerous if it fails.