Year 8 are doing two projects at the same ime at the minute looking at basic box construction and metal work.
YEAR 9 MECHANICAL TOY
The Year 9 Mechanical Toy is a traditional project that teaches a wide range of core skills covering mechanisms, movement, complex construction, different drilling techniques and a variety of methods for cutting and finishing hardwoods, softwoods and man made boards.
A LEVEL PRODUCT DESIGN
A LEVEL PRODUCT DESIGN is an exciting and multi faceted A level offering a wide range of experiences. Work undertaken includes design projects, practical work, video work, product analysis, creativity and innovation.
It fits really well with other A levels so if you’re considering industrial design, architechture, engineering, automotive design or manufacturing as possible future careers you may choose it in combination with Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Business Studies, Art or ICT. If you’re considering careers in art and design, stage/set design, the media, automotive design or animation you might consider it in combination with Art, ICT, Media Studies or Maths. Finally if you’re not really sure what you want to do when you leave school you could consider Product Design in your A Level choices to show universities you have a creative side!
All Graphics, Resistant Materials and Electronics Students will recieve a brochure in the next few weeks. Any Textiles or Food GCSE students who are considering taking Product Design can also request a brochure from the DT department.
GCSE PRODUCT DESIGN – YEAR 9 OPTIONS
With options choices on the horizon this may be useful for you:
To many of you this will be a new course and you may not know anything about it. At GCSE it is made up of four modules just like all the other Design Technology GCSE’s, but in lots of ways it is very different.
For a start you can focus your practical work on any material, you can choose from graphic based products, textile based products or resistant material based products. You don’t need to decide until you start the project and you don’t need to stick to one material for the entire 2 year course. So you could for example do one project focused on a graphic product and one on a textile product or do both projects based on a resistant material product, the choice is up to you.
The teaching on the course is done using a wide range of products and project ‘focuses’ including motorsport, Apple computers, jewellery, beach wear, electric products, children’s toys, men’s suits, drawing skills, modelling skills, practical work, different design movements, product analysis…….. and the list goes on!
Examination is through four modules:
A551
Developing and applying design skills – A project designing a new product using a variety of materials.
A552
Innovation challenge – A 6 hour project based over 2 days to test your innovation, flair and design skills in a controlled setting.
A553
Making Testing and Marketing – A project purely focused on your making and marketing skills in the material area of your choice.
A554
Design influences – An exam to test your understanding of different design movements through history.
YEAR 7 MODULE 1 RESISTANT MATERIALS
Durting this module we have used new tools, particularly focusing on the Hegner saw, Coping saw, Linisher, Pillar drill and Laser cutter. We have also considered the different properties of various woods and plastics. Design work has been completed using the computers and new drawing techniques.
Finally everyone has considered why glass paper is called glass paper and what the numbered grading system of glass paper means……
Controlled Assesment
Coursework is now well under way in Resistant Materials and the students are working hard on their project work. There are a wide variety of projects being undertaken ranging from chess boards to ferret boxes. There are some pictures included with this post showing students at work in lessons.
MOTORCYCLING LIVE 2011 – UPDATE
So the trip is definitely on to the Motorcycling Live Show for Resistant Materials, Graphics and Product Design students in Year 10. It will take place on Friday 25th November 2011.
Places are available as follows (hope this makes sense):
If less than 40 students want to go then we can only take a maximum of 15 students and the places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
If more than 40 students want to go then we can take at least 40 students up to a maximum number of 50 students
So in summary if you want to guarantee a place get your reply slip and money in as quick as possible and encourage everyone to go!
Results and a Welcome Back
Welcome back to all students. The DT department achieved exceptional GCSE results this year with 83% of students achieving A*-C and 29% achiving either an A* or an A.
Some of you have now chosen to specialise in either Product Design, Food, Textiles, Graphics or Resistant Materials and are looking forward to the start of a new course and some of you are taking your interest further and starting on one of the A level courses. Hopefully all of you are looking forward to doing well.
There is also an advance notice for Year 10 Rm and Product Design stdents that places will soon be available for the trip to look at Design at the Motorcycle Live show at the NEC.
WHO WILL BE LORD SUGARS NEXT BUSINESS PARTNER?
On Friday all of year 10 took part in an enterprise day. It involved designing and making a product and then selling it to the rest of the school during lunchtime. They learned what it takes to be like Tom Pellereau and earn the right to be Lord Sugars Apprentice!
Students also learn that there is a lot more to DT than meets the eye and that the subject is about the whole life of a product as well as just the designing and making………
THERE ARE SOME PHOTO’S FROM THE DAY BELOW
A big well done to all the students involved who worked really well and made some great products.
If you are interested in finding out about enterprise education you can find more information here:
http://www.enterprise-education.org.uk/home.php
Or if you are interested in enterprise and innovation or you have a bright idea that you think could be business worthy try here:
http://www.brightideastrust.com/
It’s a trust started by Tim Campbell the first winner of the Apprentice
YEAR 8 STEM DAY – SPACE
On 8th July timed to coincide with NASA’s last ever shuttle launch Year 8 students at the school took part in a Space themed STEM day.
The Science, Design Technology and Maths departments worked together to help students learn all about how rockets work and how to make them fly the best. The day ended with students making powered rockets and taking part in a competition to see who had worked well together and which rocket was designed the best.
The competition was won by students from Dr. Harrisons STEM group so well done to Amy, Ben, Ruth, Charlie and Ryan.
STEM creates opportunities to inspire young people in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
More information can be found at: http://www.stemnet.org.uk/
More information about NASA’s shuttle launch can be found at: http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/135_splash/index.html
