Technology

Technology in Year 8

In Year 8, students follow a carousel system which changes every 6 – 12 weeks. The content of each of the modules are shown below:

Food Preparation and Nutrition:

In Year 8 students will acquire in-depth knowledge on nutrition and different nutritional needs. The students, as their theory assessment, will have to analyse a diet and give improvements.

The practical skills are developed through the following practical dishes which are focussed on high risk food. The practical’s are: Ragu Sauce, Chilli con carne, Spaghetti Bolognaise, Macaroni Cheese and Sweet and sour chicken.

It is assessed through a piece of written work as well as a practical dish.

Product Design:

In Year 8 students will acquire a deeper knowledge of quality control, finishing techniques, customer needs and wants as well as CAD skills. They will be working with predominantly wood – learning about different joints as well as testing different joints out.

They will be creating a lamp which will have two sections – a wooden box whereby they will focus on joints and electronics, creating their own miniature circuit board. Here they will learn how to solder components together

It is assessed through their practical work.

Electronics:

Students will start to understand the basic components that go into an electronic circuit and will start to experiment with circuits using a breadboard. The students will be working the software crocodile clips and will see how different components fit together.

CAD:

Students will spend six lessons learning about Computer Aided Design using 2D Design and Space claim making their design for the top of their lamp. Here they will learn how to start to technical draw.

Designing and Drawing:

Students within this rotation learn how to technical draw using a variety of techniques including isometric, one point and two point perspective and sketching. The students learn how to annotate and render a design.

Technology in Year 9

In Year 9, students follow a carousel system which changes every 12 weeks. The content of each of the modules are shown below:

Food Preparation and Nutrition:

In Year 9 students will acquire in-depth knowledge on how to become a food scientist – how to write up a report as well as key scientific terminology e.g. hypothesis, variables and samples. Here they will conduct two scientific reports and experiments, one into “how sugar affects the release of carbon dioxide in yeast” and one into “how much gluten does flour have in it?”

The practical skills are developed through the following practical dishes which are focussed on implementing the knowledge they learn from the experiments. The practical’s are: Chelsea Buns, Naan bread, Focaccia and Yo-Yos. This will also develop their dough making skills.

It is assessed through a piece of written work as well as a practical dish.

CAD:

In Year 9 students will acquire knowledge of complex CAD software, Space Claim, and will use this software to complete a range of different designs. They will learn about the different tools, as well as using key terminology. They will evaluate their designs.

It is assessed through the design as well as their final evaluation.

Product Design:

In Year 9 the students will acquire a deeper understanding of how to use 2D design as they will start a Jewellery project. Here they will use 2D design to create their own mould, a complex skill the students will have to master. From this, they will cast their own piece of jewellery and will be expected to finish it to a high standard.

It is assessed through their final outcome.

Structures:

In Year 9 the students will learn about different careers which Product Design could lead to. Here the students learn about engineering principals regarding buildings and learn the theory behind it including different forces and triangulation. The students will design and make a paper tower within groups with the aim of being the last one standing!

Model Making:

In Year 9 the students will learn how to make different models inspired by a design movement. The student will research different design movements and use this to design a range of ideas, developing their skills from year 8. The students will then make their model using a variety of techniques including slotting joints.

Product Design at GCSE (AQA)

The new product design GCSE focusses on many areas of design, and students learn to think creatively and intervene to improve the quality of life, solving problems as individuals as well as members of a team. The new GCSE has strong links with the Science GCSE as well as containing 15% maths.

50% of the GCSE is in the form of a NEA (Non Examinned Assessment) which is a 35 hour design and make task. AQA will release the title in June of year 10 and the students have to research, design and make a product to suit that brief. It gives students the opportunity to work as an actual product designer. Throughout this project the students will have to; conduct primary and secondary research, create models and prototype of products, test different componants and materials and will used computer modelling.

50% of the GCSE is in an examination element where the students will be tested upon a range of topics including material areas, work of others as well as design and make principals. All theory is taught in Year 10 and revised during year 11.

Product Design at A-Level (AQA)

The new A-Level gives students the opportunity to create their ownproject and look in-depth at the industrial techniques and processes used within manufacture. It gives students the ability to match up products to their manufacturing method as well as an in-depth look at their finishing techniques. The new A-Level compliments Science and Maths A-Levels as 15% of it is Maths and there is a significant cross over between the Science A-Level and Product Design. 50% of the course is based upon two exams that will be held at the end of year 13.

Paper 1: 30% of A-Level and is 2 hours and 30 miniutes long. This paper is based upon technical principals (mainly focussing on materials and their uses)

Paper 2: 20% of A-Level and is 1 hours and 30 miniutes long. This paper is based upon designing and making principals

He other 50% of the course is based upon a design and make project, whereby the students pick an area they want to investigate, they then design and make a product to solve their problem. Previous projects have included an: Artists easel, Mannequin, Bookcase, Bench, Lighting and Tables. This project is a substantial product and will take around a year to complete.