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Station 2: Apply It – Design Sorting Practice: Criteria vs. Constraint
Scaffolding
Practice distinguishing between criteria and constraints, and then apply them to the project. Help students clearly distinguish between design criteria and constraints using a familiar, real-world object (a backpack), and then apply that thinking to their robotic arm project.
★ DESIGN
○ LIMITS
○ MODEL
Imagine you’re designing a backpack for students. What would make that backpack awesome? And what limitations might you run into—materials, size, weight, or cost?
The worksheet defines two categories:
Criteria = The qualities your design should have to be successful (Examples: It should be waterproof, comfortable, and have lots of compartments).
Constraints = The limits your design must stay within (Examples: Must cost less than $50, can’t weigh more than 1.5 kg, must fit under a desk.)
Step 1. Sticky Note Brainstorm (3 minutes)
Green and red sticky notes or index cards (3–5 of each per group or student).
Brainstorm ideas for the best backpack and write one idea per card.
Try to think beyond obvious answers—consider user needs, environment, safety, budget, etc.
Step 2. Build the table
Each group posts its sticky notes under two headings:
Criteria
Constraints
Identify any misclassified items and discuss:
Is ‘lightweight’ a constraint or a criterion?
If a backpack must cost under $30, what kind of materials could you use?
Checklist:
I brainstormed about a backpack
I organized my criteria and constraints table from sticky notes
I completed the worksheet
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