Set the pupils a DMA that requires them to bring together their knowledge, skills and understanding of electrical and mechanical control and structures to meet a specific and appropriate purpose.
Example
This example DMA has been written so it can be copied and given directly to pupils. Further details and contexts can be added, as appropriate.
Point-of-sale display
Point-of-sale displays, especially for new or seasonal products, are becoming increasingly sophisticated and attractive. Their design is constrained in a number of ways,
eg they need to be cheap yet robust, to stand up safely to wear and tear without the need for supervision or constant maintenance, to be prominent without getting in the way of customers.
Design an attractive, original and active or moving point-of-sale display to be placed somewhere in a shop or supermarket,
eg on a shelf. The display can be for a real or imaginary new product or service. You might like to design a display that supports a charity or another cause you are interested in. You may work as part of a team during this assignment. |
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- work in a group, using a range of materials to create their display
- keep a log of their part in the team's work, like professional designers
- design an attractive, original, active display for a product or service
- research the background to the product or service
- select appropriate images and suitable materials to promote the product or service
- discuss how the display will be seen
- suggest different materials and ways of working
- discuss, draw and model ideas in 2-D and 3-D
- discuss, as a group, how to use output devices and sensors in their design
- experiment with alternative designs, model circuits and mechanisms to establish correct working before deciding on their final proposal
- prepare an ordered sequence for managing the task
- combine various materials into an eye-catching, active display which will attract their chosen audience
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