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Schemes of Work
QCA

Design and technology at key stage 3    (Year 8)

Unit 08aii: Exploring materials Focus: resistant materials
Section 1: Design and make assignment (DMA)

QCA

Objectives

Children should learn:
  • to design and make a product, identifying materials that are appropriate for the task, taking into account appearance, function, safety and reliability, by applying the knowledge, skills and understanding they developed during the product evaluation activities and focused practical tasks

Activities

Outcomes

Children:

Set the pupils a DMA in which they identify and work with materials that are suitable for the task, applying their understanding of the properties of materials.

Examples

These example DMAs have been written so they can be copied and given directly to pupils. Further information about the context will be needed to make the DMAs specific enough for your pupils.

Computer mouse

Designers often make 3-D models to find out if their idea looks good, is the right size and shape, and is strong enough to withstand appropriate wear and pressure during use. Design and make a concept model for a new computer mouse to fill a gap in the market.

Kit rack

Design and make a foldable structure that could hold tools or other items of your choice, up to a maximum size of 200mm × 200mm × 200mm when assembled.

Kites

Design and make a kite that incorporates a logo. Design a mechanism for the storage and release of the string while the kite is in use.

  • take into account appearance, function, safety and reliability
  • make preliminary models to explore and test their design thinking
  • make their product within constraints
  • use their knowledge of how databases are organised, and how to read them to select relevant technical information about materials and processes
  • consider a range of materials and methods
  • choose materials and methods, and give details of these in a manufacturing specification
  • write a report (300 words) justifying and reviewing their choice of materials and methods of making. The report should have a clear focus and include linked paragraphs and topic sentences

Points to note

Language for learning when writing a report
  • When pupils write their reports, ask them to:
    • link ideas, eg on materials selected, by purpose links, eg in order to, so that, and reservation links, eg although, if
    • use appropriate punctuation correctly, eg colons, brackets, dashes

Sections in this unit

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This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.
1. Design and make assignment (DMA)
2. Product evaluation
3. Product evaluation - 2
4. Product evaluation - 3
5. Product evaluation - 4
6. Product evaluation - 5
7. Product evaluation - 6
8. Focused practical tasks (FPTs)
9. Focused practical tasks (FPTs) - 2
10. Focused practical tasks (FPTs) - 3
11. Focused practical tasks (FPTs) - 4