Key Stage 3
Year 7
Intent
Students will begin their journey into the world of the design cycle and solving real life problems. In the first case pupils learn through play, trial and error, push boundaries, risk and experimentation while developing resilience. Designing structures that reach for the sky, survive earthquakes and save lives. Students then use key elements of design, materials, processes, engineering, mathematics and science to design and create. This ambitious curriculum exposes students to the latest advances in technology whilst investigating ethical and most sustainable use of resources.
Learning Journey
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Health & safety
- Problem solving
- Combining materials
- Iterative design process
- Taking risks
- Experimentation
- Forces
- Structures
- Learn through play, trial & error
Key Knowledge
- Hazard & risk
- Propulsion
- Thrust
- Weight
- Friction
- Triangulation
- Tension
- Compression
- Primary & secondary research
- Research design
- Make
- Evaluate
- Iterative
- Design cycle
- Testing
- Trial and error
Themes, Concepts and Questions
This unit has been influenced by the KS3 NCCE ICT National Curriculum Y8 Unit 1.
- Basic shape creation on CAD
- Manipulating objects
- Drawing, editing, and combining paths
- CAD tools and equipment
- Bitmap
- Vector graphics
Key Knowledge
Rectangle, ellipse, polygon, star, fill, stroke, shape-specific, select, move, resize, rotate, duplicate, flip, z-order, align, distribute, bitmap, path, edit, path nodes, vector graphics.
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- 3D Modelling
- Manufacturing techniques – hand
- Using equipment safely
- Using machinery safely
- Working to tolerance
- Creating your own plywood
- Interpreting diagrams
- Following instructions
- Creativity – Design your own block bot
Key Knowledge
Hazard, risk, Working safely, Steel ruler, pencil, try squares, Bench hook, tenon saw, g-clamp, Belt sander, sand paper, centre punch, mallet, pillar drill, power drill, bench drill, dowel, lamination, plywood, material, tolerance, glue, vice, decoration, evaluation.
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- One-Point perspective
- Two-Point perspective
- Rendering with colour pencils
- Weighted lines with felt tips and pencil crayons
- Material rendering
- Accuracy
- Following instructions
- Collaborative evaluation
Key Knowledge
Plans & elevations, Orthographic, Isometric, One point perspective, Two point perspective, Three point perspective, Horizon line / Vanishing point, Exploded view, Freehand sketching, CAD / CAM, colour theory, rendering, weighted lines, materials, layering.
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- 2D Design Techsoft
- Circuit design
- Laser cutting
- Copper tracking
- Soldering
- Components
- Testing and evaluating
- Designing a bot
- Battle royal
Key Knowledge
2D Design, CAD, line, pathway, square, circle, zoom in and out, grid spacing, switch, battery, offset motor, wires, solder, positive and negative charge, PCB, DXF files, vector diagrams, bitmaps, text, strip heater, acrylic, HIPS, MDF, copper tracking
Skill Development
During Year 7 in Design and Technology students will be exposed to a range of STEM grounded projects that are based upon problem solving skills. Students will be encouraged to take risks, experiment with different materials, weight and structure combinations. This will ignite deeper critical thinking when evaluating their practical performance and theoretical application and understanding. Students will then explore the workshop environment and explore the opportunities available in technology, through upcycling and recycling old wooden products to create their own laminated material in the form of a block bot. Finally, students will use CAD software 2D Design to follow instructions to create their own keyring, followed by a Boxford chassis for the Scalextric track. Students will then have the challenge to design their own car net, manufacture out of card, and go through the iterative design process in order to get it to work on their chassis.
Year 8
Our Year 8 students further develop their understanding the design cycle, with a stronger focus on two key areas - ‘design’ and ‘make’ - and the application of drawing and modelling skills and emerging technologies. They develop their creative, technical and practical expertise, and demonstrate resilience and a willingness to take risks. We support and encourage the development of their moral conscience through a consideration of our environment, local and cultural influences.
Learning Journey
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Secondary research
- Redesign
- Analyse
- Dimensions
- Measure
- Mark out with accuracy
- Tolerances
Key Knowledge
Hazards, Risks, Control Measures, Tolerances, Bench Hook, Steel Ruler, Tenon Saw, mitre square, angles, marking gauge, centre punch, mallet, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), Machinery, Belt Sander, Pillar Drill, hammer, screw, power drill, piolet holes, glue, alignment, accuracy.
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Setting up of drawing boards
- Weighted lines
- Construction lines
- Centre lines
- Boarder
- Trammel
- Text and lettering
- Orthographic projection
- First and Third angle projection drawings
- Isometric projection
Key Knowledge
Plans & elevations, Orthographic, front, plan, side, millimetres, centimetres, drawing boards, construction lines, BS8888 drawing requirements, grid spacing, isometric projection, exploded views, freehand sketching, 2D design, CAD software.
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Types of Plastic
- New and emerging technologies
- Material extraction
- Sustainability
- Moral conscience
- Secondary Research
- Computer Aided Design
- Computer Aided Manufacture
- The English Civil War
Key Knowledge
Thermosetting, Thermoplastics, Additive manufacture, rapid prototyping, 3D Printer, STL files, GCode, CAD / CAM, dimension, Size, TinkerCAD, duplicate, group, align, mirror, proportion Pikemans, Lobster Pot helmet.
Themes, Concepts and Questions
This unit has been influenced by the KS3 NCCE ICT National Curriculum Y9 Unit 4.
- Pixel imagery
- Sequencing of bits
- Binary digits
- RGB colour scales
Key Knowledge
Pixels, resolution, colour depth, bits, bytes, binary digits, representation sizes, RGB scales, colour intensity
Skill Development
During Year 8 in Design and Technology students are given the opportunity to develop problem solving skills. Students will be encouraged to take risks in various material areas, both independently and collaboratively. A Newark Academy student will be able to demonstrate practical skills within the workshop, utilising all tools, equipment, and machinery effectively whilst implementing strict control measures. They will also be able to explore a range of technical drawing and rendering methods, being able to support and critique one another’s work through utilising oracy and literacy techniques. All of these skills learnt thus far will be accumulated to the final project, where exploration into new subject matter will ignite the students desire to explore, experiment, problem solve, and take risks with new concepts.
Year 9
Intent
Students revisit the Scalextrics 4 Schools by participating in a competition by designing and building Scalextric vehicles. They have the opportunity to take part at regional and national levels. Students use Biomimicry as the starting point for their designs, trying to create the most aerodynamic solution with its roots taken from nature.
Learning Journey
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Modelling
- High Density Foam
- Templates
- Fixtures
- Mould Design
- Vacuum Forming
Key Knowledge
- Health & Safety
- Machine Safety
- Teamwork
- Jigs
- Fixtures
- Templates
- Measurement
- Tolerance
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Chassis
- Construction
- Electrical Circuit
- Soldering
- Bevel Gear
- Bearings
- Faulting Finding
- Testing
Key Knowledge
- Development of software skills 2D&3D Design
- British Standards -BS8888
- Techsoft
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- AO,A1,A2,A3,A4
- BS888
- Standards
- Conventions
- Trammel
- Construction Line
- Finish Line
- Centre Line
- Text
Key Knowledge
- British Standards -BS8888
- Techsoft
- Lines
- Conventions
- Law
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Dimensioning
- Orthographic
- Isometric
- Shading
- Ellipse
- Rods
Key Knowledge
- Precision
- Orthographic
- Isometric
- Rendering
- Geometry
- Language
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Biomimicry
- Nature
- Architecture
- Technical drawing via CAD (computer aided design)
- Choice of CAM
- Iterative design
Key Knowledge
- Industrial Prototyping techniques
- Clay – Automotive Industry Design Skills
- 3D - STL Files
- VR Wind Tunnel
- Aerodynamics
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Prototyping
- Make via CAM
- Assemble
- Test
- Race!
- Evaluate
Key Knowledge
- Risk Assessment
- Quality Assurance
- Modifications
Skill Development
During Year 9 in Design and Technology students continue to develop skills focused on STEM projects that are based upon problem solving skills. Students will be encouraged to take creative risks, while experimenting using different types pf prototyping and choosing the best CAM techniques to produce their design. This will ignite deeper critical thinking when testing the aerodynamic properties of their design using a virtual reality wind tunnel. The best and most creative design will allow students to represent the school in regional and national competition, working alongside students from across Britain, Europe and America to further develop their understanding of engineering.