Summary
Pairs with Episode 18.1 by focusing on how engineers measure whether a solution actually worked — establishing measurable success criteria before building, not after.
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All ages
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
- Why is it important to define what 'success' looks like before you start building?
- What makes a success criterion 'measurable'? Give an example of a vague vs. measurable criterion.
- Can a design fail to meet every criterion and still be worth improving?
- How would you define success for a school lunch tray that keeps food hot?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: success criteria, measurable, test, evaluate, standard, benchmark.
Try it: For a paper bridge challenge, write three measurable success criteria before building (e.g., 'must hold at least 50 grams,' 'must span 20 cm,' 'must be built in under 10 minutes'). Test against each one after.