Designing solutions in K–2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to the use of evidence and ideas in constructing evidence-based accounts of natural phenomena and designing solutions.     

• Use tools and/or materials to design and/or build a device that solves a specific problem or a solution to a specific problem.  

• Generate and/or compare multiple solutions to a problem. 

Designing solutions in 3–5 builds on K–2 experiences and progresses to the use of evidence in constructing explanations that specify variables that describe and predict phenomena and in designing multiple solutions to design problems.  

• Apply scientific ideas to solve design problems.  

• Generate and compare multiple solutions to a problem based on how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the design solution. 

Designing solutions in 6–8 builds on K-5 experiences and progresses to include constructing explanations and designing solutions supported by multiple sources of evidence consistent with scientific ideas, principles, and theories.  

•  Apply scientific ideas or principles to design, construct, and/or test a design of an object, tool, process or system. 

• Undertake a design project, engaging in the design cycle, to construct and/or implement a solution that meets specific design criteria and constraints.  

• Optimize performance of a design by prioritizing criteria, making tradeoffs, testing, revising, and retesting.