Choose, Test & Improve a Thermal Protector — student

Bridge · Requirements and predictions

A performance criterion states what a design must achieve. A constraint limits resources, size or procedure. A prediction is a testable expectation, not a measured outcome. We evaluate complete sleeves here; changing two sleeve features does not isolate the effect of one.

100 g, start 10°C, room 22°C, 15 min. Final ≤16°C in EVERY trial; ≤4 tokens; ≤15 mm added thickness. Covered liquid water; cups/lids, mass, starting temperature, duration, exposure and reading procedure match within and across trials. Surroundings stay at the stated room temperature. No ice, phase change, active heating/cooling, direct sunlight or meaningful evaporative cooling. Each trial uses fresh samples. Accuracy is not supplied.

Grade 6 provisional target; NGSS Grades 6–8 band. Prerequisites: read °C/time, compare changes, consider trials and conditions. Paper and pencil only. Tokens are fictional resource units. Respond in connected prose, orally while pointing to data, or with a labeled representation. Clarify the question, table access, vocabulary and response mode before choosing a reteach. Sparse language can express adequate reasoning.

Model · Check the complete brief

Question: Which designs meet the brief, and how could a teacher choose between feasible designs? A nominal pass concerns these supplied records, not a guarantee.

100 g, start 10°C, room 22°C, 20 min. Final ≤15.5°C in EVERY trial; ≤8 tokens; ≤20 mm added thickness. Covered liquid water; cups/lids, mass, starting temperature, duration, exposure and reading procedure match within and across trials. Surroundings stay at the stated room temperature. No ice, phase change, active heating/cooling, direct sunlight or meaningful evaporative cooling. Each trial uses fresh samples. Accuracy is not supplied.

Practice · A decision needs a priority

100 g, start 12°C, room 24°C, 18 min. Final ≤17°C in EVERY trial; ≤6 tokens; ≤18 mm added thickness. Covered liquid water; cups/lids, mass, starting temperature, duration, exposure and reading procedure match within and across trials. Surroundings stay at the stated room temperature. No ice, phase change, active heating/cooling, direct sunlight or meaningful evaporative cooling. Each trial uses fresh samples. Accuracy is not supplied.

A lower final reading can be relevant when starts and intervals match; it is not a universal decision rule. A difference in displayed readings is not proof of a reliable advantage.

Independent challenge · Record a proposal first

Quick Check disclosure: this is the same independent challenge used in Teach the Design Challenge. It is not fresh after you have seen or attempted it. Keep the next page out of view until you finish this page.

80 g, start 11°C, room 23°C, 16 min. Final ≤16.5°C in EVERY trial; ≤5 tokens; ≤19 mm added thickness. Covered liquid water; cups/lids, mass, starting temperature, duration, exposure and reading procedure match within and across trials. Surroundings stay at the stated room temperature. No ice, phase change, active heating/cooling, direct sunlight or meaningful evaporative cooling. Each trial uses fresh samples. Accuracy is not supplied.

Independent challenge · Separate redesign evidence

Reveal only after I0. These are specified fictional prototypes, not results for your own unbuilt proposal: J-sealed closes a gap in J with one extra token; K-thin uses a thinner wrap with the same token allowance. Changes are already included in the table. Do not invent a successful result for your proposal.

80 g, start 11°C, room 23°C, 16 min. Final ≤16.5°C in EVERY trial; ≤5 tokens; ≤19 mm added thickness. Covered liquid water; cups/lids, mass, starting temperature, duration, exposure and reading procedure match within and across trials. Surroundings stay at the stated room temperature. No ice, phase change, active heating/cooling, direct sunlight or meaningful evaporative cooling. Each trial uses fresh samples. Accuracy is not supplied.

Reteach · Meet every requirement

100 g, start 10°C, room 22°C, 20 min. Final ≤15°C in EVERY trial; ≤5 tokens; ≤18 mm added thickness. Covered liquid water; cups/lids, mass, starting temperature, duration, exposure and reading procedure match within and across trials. Surroundings stay at the stated room temperature. No ice, phase change, active heating/cooling, direct sunlight or meaningful evaporative cooling. Each trial uses fresh samples. Accuracy is not supplied.

Fictional response: “P wins because all its temperatures are lowest. R also works because its average is below 15°C.”

Fresh recheck · What if none qualifies?

100 g, start 10°C, room 22°C, 20 min. Final ≤15°C in EVERY trial; ≤4 tokens; ≤18 mm added thickness. Covered liquid water; cups/lids, mass, starting temperature, duration, exposure and reading procedure match within and across trials. Surroundings stay at the stated room temperature. No ice, phase change, active heating/cooling, direct sunlight or meaningful evaporative cooling. Each trial uses fresh samples. Accuracy is not supplied.

Do not choose a winner merely because the question contains design data. “None meets the brief” can be the supported conclusion.

Reteach · A proposal needs a relevant test

Fictional response: “The new seam made the sleeve better. Its water finished lower, so the seam alone caused the improvement.”

Room 22°C; cups/lids and duration match, but water mass and start differ. One comparison, not repeated trials. Covered liquid water; cups/lids, duration, exposure and reading procedure match within and across trials. Surroundings stay at the stated room temperature. No ice, phase change, active heating/cooling, direct sunlight or meaningful evaporative cooling. Accuracy is not supplied.

Fresh recheck · Whole design or one feature?

Fresh matched 100 g samples starting at 11°C; 23°C room; 15 min. New design changes both seam overlap and layer count; all other conditions match. Covered liquid water; cups/lids, mass, starting temperature, duration, exposure and reading procedure match within and across trials. Surroundings stay at the stated room temperature. No ice, phase change, active heating/cooling, direct sunlight or meaningful evaporative cooling. Each trial uses fresh samples. Accuracy is not supplied.

A fair comparison of complete designs can change more than one feature. An isolated feature claim needs a comparison that separates that feature from the others.

Later check · Changed requirements

100 g, start 10°C, room 22°C, 20 min. Final ≤15°C in EVERY trial; ≤6 tokens; ≤18 mm added thickness. Covered liquid water; cups/lids, mass, starting temperature, duration, exposure and reading procedure match within and across trials. Surroundings stay at the stated room temperature. No ice, phase change, active heating/cooling, direct sunlight or meaningful evaporative cooling. Each trial uses fresh samples. Accuracy is not supplied.

Record your answer before receiving T1. This is a new later task, not a validated equivalent form or a mastery test.

Later check · One new environment record

100 g, start 10°C, room 28°C, 20 min. Final ≤15°C in EVERY trial; ≤4 tokens; ≤18 mm added thickness. Covered liquid water; cups/lids, mass, starting temperature, duration, exposure and reading procedure match within and across trials. Surroundings stay at the stated room temperature. No ice, phase change, active heating/cooling, direct sunlight or meaningful evaporative cooling. Each trial uses fresh samples. Accuracy is not supplied.