Design Technology
Developing Designers of the Future
Design and Technology will be inspiring, rigorous and practical. Using creativity and imagination, pupils will design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. Children will develop a critical understanding of the impact of Design and Technology on daily life and the wider world.
Design and Technology is an exciting, engaging and practical subject. Children are motivated through the imaginative and creative approach to learning, they are given many opportunities to design and make products that discover resolutions for real life problems within a variety of different contexts. When teaching Design and Technology, there are numerous opportunities to improve a wider range of subject knowledge, including disciplines such as Mathematics, Science, Computing, Art and Engineering. Through our Design and Technology curriculum children take risks whilst becoming independent problem solvers. The Design and Technology curriculum is divided into 5 specific areas, these include; Structures, Textiles, Mechanisms, Electrical Systems and Nutrition and Cooking.
When designing and making, the children are 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 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, as well as chopping and slicing) accurately.
- select from and use a wider range of materials, ingredients and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties, aesthetic qualities and, where appropriate, taste.
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.
Develop, Use and Apply Technical Knowledge:
- apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures.
- understand and use mechanical systems in their products.
- understand and use electrical systems in their products.
- apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products
- Understand some of the ways that food can be processed and the effect of different cooking practices (including baking and grilling).
