--- title: K-2-ETS1-3 Lesson | Comparing Strengths & Weaknesses in Engineering description: "K-2-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests of two designs solving the same problem to compare their strengths and weaknesses." image: https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Right%20Image.png --- [![Teacher Login](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b) [Teacher Login](https://app.knowatom.com/signin) [![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo")](https://www.knowatom.com/) # K-2-ETS1-3: Comparing Strengths & Weaknesses in Engineering Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each perform. [![Download a Sample Unit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6) Science & Engineering Practices - [Asking questions and defining problems](https://www.knowatom.com/asking-questions-and-defining-problems) - [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) - [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations) - [Analyzing and interpreting data](https://www.knowatom.com/analyzing-and-interpreting-data) - [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) - [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence) - [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) Disciplinary Core Ideas - [Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems](https://www.knowatom.com/defining-and-delimiting-engineering-problems) - [Developing Possible Solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-possible-solutions) - [Optimizing the Design Solution](https://www.knowatom.com/optimizing-the-design-solution) Crosscutting Concepts - [Structure and Function](https://www.knowatom.com/structure-and-function) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f) ## Browse K-2-ETS1-3 Lesson Plans Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8 [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Parent-and-Offspring-Behaviors-2.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/engineering-dams) ## [Engineering Dams In this unit, students explore the science phenomena of animal behaviors of parents and offspring that help the offspring survive. This page is a high-level extract of lesson two in which students mimic the beaver’s behavior of building dams to design their own dams that solve the problem of flooding.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/engineering-dams) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/engineering-dams) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-07-2023-10-28-21-7007-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/controlling-erosion) ## [Controlling Erosion In this unit, students explore the science phenomena of different processes that change Earth’s surface over time. Once students have investigated how wind and water change the shape of the land, they use their scientific knowledge to engineer a solution that prevents rainwater from washing away a sandy hillside. This page showcases key components of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/controlling-erosion) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/controlling-erosion) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-07-2023-11-01-46-6039-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/engineering-owl-shelters) ## [Engineering Owl Shelters In the last unit, students observed butterflies moving through their life cycle, explored how butterflies are pollinators, and then designed a hand pollinator. In this unit, students explore the science phenomena of how shelters help animals survive in their environment and then design a prototype burrow-like structure to keep a burrowing owl cool in hot temperatures.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/engineering-owl-shelters) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/engineering-owl-shelters) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/bird-beak-structure-and-function1.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/engineering-litter-collectors) ## [Engineering Litter Collectors In this unit, students explore the science phenomena of engineers mimicking plant and animal structures. Students apply what they have learned about the structures of plants and animals to mimic those structures to solve problems facing people.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/engineering-litter-collectors) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/engineering-litter-collectors) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Engineering-Communication-Devices-1.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/engineering-communcation-devices) ## [Engineering Communication Devices In the last unit, students explore how objects can be seen when they are illuminated by a source of light and how light passes through opaque, transparent, and translucent materials differently. In this unit, students apply what they have learned about light and sound to design a solution that can be used to communicate over a distance. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/engineering-communcation-devices) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/engineering-communcation-devices) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-1.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/sunlight-and-engineering) ## [Sunlight and Engineering In this first unit, students learn to differentiate between the practices of a scientist and those of an engineer. Students ask questions, make observations, and collect data as they explore weather patterns on Earth and investigate how different Earth materials are heated by the sun. During this final lesson of the unit, students act as engineers by designing a prototype that can reduce the warming effects of the sun.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/sunlight-and-engineering) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/sunlight-and-engineering) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-3.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/engineering-marble-movers) ## [Engineering Marble Movers In this unit, students discover that pushes and pulls are forces that change the motion of an object. They begin by exploring how objects move in different directions when they are pushed or pulled, and then investigate how changing the strength of a force changes the distance an object moves. They then use a model to see how friction affects the distance and speed with which an object moves over a surface. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/engineering-marble-movers) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/engineering-marble-movers) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-4.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/engineering-hand-pollinators) ## [Engineering Hand Pollinators In this unit, students continue to explore the phenomena of living things, focusing on animals. They begin by observing the metamorphosis of a butterfly and then model the parts of a butterfly that help it survive in its environment. This page provides an overview of key components of this lesson that has students applying what they know about pollination to design a self-pollinating technology. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/engineering-hand-pollinators) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/engineering-hand-pollinators) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-07-2023-11-18-04-1048-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/engineering-boats) ## [Engineering Boats In this unit, students investigate what makes an object float or sink, exploring the science phenomena of properties of objects that float and sink. This page is a high-level extract of the last lesson in 2nd grade that has students applying their knowledge about the relationship between an object’s properties and its ability to float.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/engineering-boats) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/engineering-boats) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it. ![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo") Quick Links Resources Sign Up for Our Blog ### Sign Up for Our Blog Connect with Us - - - - © 2026 KnowAtom LLC  •  10 Brady Drive Unit 3   •  Ipswich MA •   01938 USA [DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION](https://www.knowatom.com/do-not-sell-my-personal-information) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.knowatom.com/privacy-policy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.knowatom.com/terms-of-use) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "USA", "addressLocality" : "Salem", "addressRegion" : "MA", "postalCode" : "01970", "streetAddress" : "27 Congress Suite 410" }, "alternateName" : "KA", "areaServed" : { "@type" : "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : "+42.5182274", "longitude" : "-70.8877569" }, "geoRadius" : "150 km" }, "description" : "Next Generation Science STEM Curriculum", "email" : "fvigeant@knowatom.com", "image" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KA-GSD.png", "logo" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Knowatom-2017/Image/logo-1.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.knowatom.com/k-2-ets1-3", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "K-2-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests of two designs solving the same problem to compare their strengths and weaknesses." }, "name" : "KnowAtom", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/KnowAtom", "https://twitter.com/KnowAtom", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0rbN0RfqaU1xaISrdVpTA", "https://plus.google.com/110709105138117096940" ], "telephone" : "(617) 475-3475", "url" : "https://www.knowatom.com" } ```