Defining design problems with criteria and constraints is the focus of this Grade 6 Science engineering design resource. Students interpret problem statements, identify the required function of a design, and distinguish measurable success criteria from realistic constraints that shape an engineering solution.

What students practice

• Identify the required function of a design by interpreting a problem statement.
• List measurable criteria that can be used to evaluate whether a design succeeds.
• Recognize realistic constraints and explain how limits shape engineering choices.
• Explain how safety, cost, and environmental limits can affect cause-and-effect decisions.
• Use models and scientific principles to predict impacts on people and natural systems.

The activities connect engineering decisions to real design considerations rather than treating criteria and constraints as vocabulary alone. Students work with ideas such as measurable success, practical limitations, safety considerations, costs, environmental effects, models, and impacts on natural systems.

Student tasks

The worksheet uses a varied set of classroom-ready tasks, including multiple-choice questions, true-or-false statements, short-answer responses, a dialogue, matching, a cloze passage, a labeled diagram, a reading passage, and an essay. This mix gives students opportunities to recognize concepts, apply engineering reasoning, interpret information, and communicate their thinking in writing.

Teacher support included

• Worksheet focused on defining design problems, criteria, constraints, and engineering decision-making.
• Teacher Guide provided as a separate PDF with learning objectives, teaching tips, discussion questions, and common mistakes.

The teacher guide provides practical support for introducing the concepts, prompting classroom discussion, and addressing misconceptions as students reason through design decisions.

Classroom use

Use this engineering design worksheet for science instruction, guided practice, independent work, review, or written application after introducing design problems. The reading, diagram, dialogue, and extended-response tasks also provide opportunities to check whether students can transfer the concepts beyond simple recognition.

NGSS framework: The resource is identified with the NGSS framework and focuses on the engineering design reasoning described in the lesson objectives.