--- title: "Comparing Design Solutions" description: "Analyse data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of each design" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/comparing-design-solutions-mt_nNYo5A-7Bl source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/comparing-design-solutions-mt_nNYo5A-7Bl.md retrieved: 2026-10-19 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Comparing Design Solutions Analyse data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of each design Subject: Science · Area: Scientific Inquiry · Ages 5 to 8 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/comparing-design-solutions-mt_nNYo5A-7Bl ## Ready when they can - Test two designs that address the same problem and collect data on their performance - Compare the results, identifying strengths and weaknesses of each design - Use data as evidence to recommend which design works better and suggest improvements ## Lesson: Comparing two designs You have shown design ideas in sketches or models. Now test two designs for the same job. If the job is flying far, record each flight's distance. Use the same starting place and test conditions. Give both designs several turns and record each result. **Example.** In one test, Car A rolled 2 metres and Car B rolled 6 metres. Compare: 6 is more than 2, so B rolled farther. To find how much farther, count up from 2: 3, 4, 5, 6. That is 4 steps, so B rolled 4 metres farther. A strength is something a design does well. A weakness is something it does less well. An umbrella might keep you dry but feel heavy to carry. Staying dry is a strength. Being hard to carry is a weakness. Which matters most depends on the job. *(drawing: In the same test, A carried 6 identical coins and B carried 8 before sinking. B carried more in this test.)* Choose using the goal and test results. For flying far, compare distances. For staying in the air, compare times. For carrying blocks, compare block counts. Colour does not answer these questions. To improve a design, change one part and test again. The new result shows whether the change helped. **Recap.** Test both designs for the same job. Record and compare the results. Choose using the goal, then test any changes. ## Practice 8 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Modelling with Sketches](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/modelling-with-sketches-mt_hi8cVycbwn) - [Recording Data](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/recording-data-mt_ZFwPZaDJ0_) ## Opens up - [Design Briefs and Better Products](https://lightmysky.com/learn/design-and-technology/design-briefs-and-better-products-mt_QeNClHE0EG) - [Simple Design Problems](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/simple-design-problems-mt_Z5-fSCOBep)