KS2 Our Design Technology Curriculum

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, pupils should be taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. They should work in a range of relevant contexts [for example, the home, school, leisure, culture, enterprise, industry and the wider environment].

When designing and making, pupils should be taught to:

Design

• use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups

• generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design

Make

• select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately

• select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities

Evaluate

• investigate and analyse a range of existing products

• evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work

• understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world

Technical knowledge

• apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures

• understand and use mechanical systems in their products [for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages]

• understand and use electrical systems in their products [for example, series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors]

• apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products

Lower Key Stage 2:

Topic: Shell Structures

Upper Key Stage 2:

Topic: Frame Structures

Challenge 1 - To build the tallest tower, using only paper and tape.

Challenge 2 - To research, design, build & evaluate a bridge to cross Sutton Mill Dam.

Pupil Voice: Mason & Felicity

At first it didn't stand because the support was too heavy. Triangles were working for everyone so we changed the design and added them. We put more support for our beams and it worked really well, so we added more

Enrichment Enhancements:

As valuable members of Stem Club, a group of Year 5 children demonstrated their engineering skills and showed enthusiasm for our project. They worked confidently to create a mechanical system that changed force and movement by utilising the right parts. Later, at the Primary Engineers event, they demonstrated leadership and teamwork abilities when speaking to the Rolls Royce engineers. The children received the Engineering Level 1 Award.