Science·Scientific Inquiry·procedural
Fair testing (age 8+)
Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved
Suggested ages 8–11
Learning journey
Your child is learning to think like an engineer — designing solutions to problems, planning fair tests, and improving their ideas based on what works best.
Evidence of understanding
- Plan a fair test of a prototype with clearly identified variables to control
- Carry out the test and identify failure points or weaknesses in the design
- Propose specific improvements based on test results and retest
Assessment prompt
When Fair testing (age 8+) builds and tests a prototype, can they run a fair test, find what didn't work, and figure out how to make it better?
Standards alignment
3-5-ETS1-3US · ngss-k5
3-5-ETS1-3
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) K-5