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Name of Stage	Definition
Problem	The main challenge of the design, including the criteria (what the solution needs to do) and the constraints (the limits or rules that must be followed).
Messing About	Exploratory time to study any supplies that will be used in an investigation, building confidence with the materials and brainstorming ideas.
Plan	The steps created to guide the design process, including sketches, materials lists, and descriptions of how the solution will be built and tested.
Build	The process of creating a first version (or prototype) of the design solution based on the plan.
Test	Trying out the design to see how well it works, focusing on how it meets the criteria and fits within the constraints.
Observe	The process of gathering information about how the design performs, using clear and consistent methods during testing.
Analyze	Looking closely at the test results to find patterns, problems, and successes. This helps determine if the design works and what can be improved.
Refine	Making changes to the design based on what was observed and analyzed, then repeating the test–observe–analyze process to improve the solution.
Solve	The completed version of the design that best meets the criteria, fits the constraints, and has gone through careful testing and refinement.
Evaluation	The process of reflecting on the entire engineering design experience—how the problem was solved, what could be better, and how well the solution meets the original goal.

PROCESS OF ENGINEERING DESIGN DEFINITIONS

Personal Knowledge: What the student already knows about �the topic.	Secondary Knowledge: Content gathered from outside sources to develop scientific understanding and explain the results of the investigation.

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Item	Magnetic	Not Magnetic

MAGNETIC OR NOT?

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What will happen to the number of cards as more magnets are added to the sandwich?

Number of �Magnets on Top	Trial #1	Trial #2	Trial #3
1 Magnet
2 Magnets
3 Magnets

MAGNETIC STRENGTH

I predict… ______________________________________________________________________________________

because… ______________________________________________________________________________________.

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Draw and label a picture of how you will build your magnetometer.

MAGNETOMETER DESIGN PLAN

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MAGNETOMETER GRID

A1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K

S = Strong Magnetic Field

M = Medium Magnetic Field

W = Weak Magnetic Field

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Problem: Build a device to detect a magnetic field.

CLAIM, EVIDENCE, REASONING

I think the most successful solution is the magnetometer made by ______________________________ _______________________________________________________________. This is the most successful solution because it has ___________________________________________________________________, and I know these materials ____________________________________________________________________. I think this magnetometer solves the problem because _______________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________.

Claim:

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SUCCESS SKILLS

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Item	Magnetic	Not Magnetic
Paper clips	X
Paper towel		X
Magic marker		X
Pencil	X	X
Iron filings	X
Staples	X
Plastic cup		X
Paper cup		X
String		X
Cardboard		X

MAGNETIC OR NOT?

SAMPLE ANSWERS

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What will happen to the number of cards as more magnets are added to the sandwich?

MAGNETIC STRENGTH

Number of �Magnets on Top	Trial #1	Trial #2	Trial #3
1 Magnet	6	5	6
2 Magnets	8	9	9
3 Magnets	9	10	10

I predict… ______________________________________________________________________________________

because… ______________________________________________________________________________________.

the magnet sandwich will be able to hold more cards

adding more magnets will make the sandwich stronger

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VAIEducation.org

Draw a picture of how you will build your magnetometer.

MAGNETOMETER DESIGN PLAN

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MAGNETOMETER GRID

A1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
B												W	S
C		S	S									W	S
D		S	S									W	S
E												W	S
F
G							S	W
H							S	W
I							S	W
J
K

S = Strong Magnetic Field

M = Medium Magnetic Field

W = Weak Magnetic Field

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VAIEducation.org

Problem: Build a device to detect a magnetic field.

CLAIM, EVIDENCE, REASONING

I think the most successful solution is the magnetometer made by ______________________________ _______________________________________________________________. This is the most successful solution because it has ___________________________________________________________________, and I know these materials ____________________________________________________________________. I think this magnetometer solves the problem because _______________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________.

Claim:

Kiyana and Anthony

a battery, wire, and paper clips

are all magnetic

the magnetic fields (and magnets under the testing mat) at the testing station

it detected all