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Learning Objective: Make a written plan and design drawing to build a prototype.
Assessment Strategy: Before the challenge, each group of students will follow the ‘engineering design process’ and create a plan for constructing their prototype. The plan should include materials, procedures and labeled diagrams of the planned design.
Assessment Tool: Rubric.
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | |
| Presentation of plan |
Information not organized or logically sequenced |
Some information is organized and logically sequenced |
Most information is organized and logically sequenced |
All information is organized and logically Sequenced |
| Materials | No materials are listed | Some materials are listed |
Most materials are clearly listed |
All materials are clearly listed |
| Procedure | There is no procedure |
Some of the steps in the procedure are logically sequenced |
Most of the steps in the procedure are logically sequenced |
All of the steps in the procedure are logically sequenced |
| Diagrams | Limited accuracy in drawing and labeling recognizable diagrams |
Some accuracy in drawing and labeling recognizable diagrams |
Good accuracy in drawing and labeling recognizable diagrams |
Excellent accuracy in drawing and labeling recognizable diagrams |
Learning Objective: Select and use materials to accomplish a given task.
Assessment strategy: Students will select and use materials, which may either be provided by the teacher or brought in by the students.
Assessment Tool: Rating Scale
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Selection and use of materials |
Limited understanding of choosing and modifying materials appropriate for the purpose |
Some understanding of choosing and modifying materials appropriate for the purpose |
Good understanding of choosing and modifying materials appropriate for the purpose |
Excellent understanding of choosing and creatively modifying materials appropriate for the purpose |
Learning Objective: Apply understanding of forces, structures and mechanisms, simple machines, and motion by constructing a prototype to solve a design problem.
Assessment strategy: Students will carry out their plans to build a prototype and test its functionality.
Assessment Tool: Using a checklist, indicate whether or not the group was able to successfully build and test their prototype.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Design, build and test a prototype | No prototype was designed or built | Prototype was designed but construction was not completed | Prototype was designed, built and tested but did not follow specifications | Prototype was designed, built and tested successfully |
Learning Objective: Work collaboratively and effectively in a small group to solve a practical problem
Assessment Strategy: Students will assess their participation in the group challenge.
Assessment Tool: Student Self-Assessment Rating Scale
| Name: | Rate 1-5 |
| I was always prepared for my part of the group work. | |
| I completed all of my individual tasks. | |
| I worked with my team members in a constructive way. | |
| I completed my tasks to the best of my ability. | |
| Total |
Learning Objective: Communicate to an audience how the prototype was built, how it functions, and how accuracy in its performance is achieved.
Assessment strategy: Students will make a poster outlining how they were able to successfully build and test their prototype. The students will then present the poster orally to the class.
Assessment Tool: Rubric.
| Poster | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
| Application of scientific principles |
Limited understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications |
Some understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications |
Good understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications |
Thorough understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications |
| Clarity of graphics |
Limited understanding of using graphics effectively |
Some understanding of using graphics effectively |
Good understanding of using graphics effectively |
Excellent understanding of using graphics effectively |
| Labels | Limited use of labels or labels are inaccurate |
Some use of labels, and labels are mainly accurate |
Good use of labels, and most labels are accurate |
Excellent use of labels, and all labels are accurate |
| Overall appearance |
Limited use of design and layout for the poster |
Some use of design and layout for the poster |
Good use of design and layout for the poster |
Excellent use of design and layout for the poster |
| Oral presentation |
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
| Presentation of poster content |
Limited clarity and some inaccurate communication of poster content |
Mainly clear and mostly accurate communication of poster content |
Clear and accurate communication of poster content |
Clear, accurate and effective communication of poster content |