This is a project I was inspired to create after reading about the work of different acrylic jewellery designers in a DATA magazine article. It’s a great project to run if you have a laser cutter or just hand tools available to cut the acrylic and I find it very useful to use up any offcuts and small pieces of acrylic that may have left in departments. I have used with both key stage 3 and key stage 4 and normally restrict them to only using material from the acrylic offcuts bin. The booklet sets out the brief with space for designing, prototyping in card, and documenting the make before presenting their final solution, finished item and an evaluation. With key stage 4 I find it useful to introduce them to a wide range of issues and details about working in plastics and students have always surprised me with creative work. Essential equipment for me to run this project would be: hand tools, Tensol cement to join the layers of acrylic and a few craft items such as pin badge backings, cufflink blanks, or earing posts that can be attached to the item to ensure a fully working and finished solution, I have found these online easily and in craft stores. This can be run over a series of 5/6 lessons or in a single day if you are running an activity of timetable perhaps.

Topic 26 is about prototyping. Suitable for preparing students for the NEA Contextual Challenge as well as increasing their understanding of the design development process. Comparing cardboard modeling vs 3d printing and activities to strengthen learning.

A booklet to document the design and making of a pewter cast item such as a badge, necklace pendant or keyring with key stage 3 although it has also been used successfully with a SEND class and key stage 4 (lower ability groups. The booklet sets out the brief with room for exploring ideas, documenting research and design ideas alongside space for notes on the pewter casting process. Keywords and teacher feedback is included on the back sheet and it works well printed on A3 and folded int a booklet. I did not come up with the idea of a pewter cast item as a project myself but after working in three schools with a similar project thought it was time to conclude all my ideas in one booklet so students could neatly and proudly display their work.

This a great project for doing in classrooms or departments without a workshop. The only materials it requires are card and coloured paper perhaps and it works with or with or without access to computers/printers. Basic graphic equipment can greatly extend the outcomes such as access to drawing boards, scalpels, cutting mats etc. The booklet sets out a design brief for students to work together as a team to make a pop-up book. Each student will have to create a page, and these can then be combined along with a front cover and back cover to create an exciting book. I have used this with key stage 3, but it could also be used with key stage 4. Students can complete the booklet with notes on the different binding methods for making the booklet as well as different pop up mechanisms. They can plan the story of their book or the theme. There is also space for research, writing a specification, documenting the making, and an evaluation alongside space for teacher feedback.

A booklet used alongside the design and make challenge/project of an acrylic clock. I have used in different settings with success including both key stage 3 and key stage 4 class as well as with SEND students. The booklet sets the brief with some space for questioning, research and designing. It allows for documenting the making and a detailed evaluation. Students have come up with interesting designs and made fantastic clocks. The project idea of an acrylic clock is not my own and I have simply made the booklet to allow my students to work and keep a record of their design and making. I found the clock kits on kitronik to be excellent but I know there are many different mechanisms available. Up until recently all acrylic parts have been hand cut but we have just got a laser cutter and this has helped students come up with even more interesting ideas and clocks to display around the classroom.

A selection of evaluation sheets I have used regularly with classes across key stages 2-5. I have found these have prompted students to respond in different ways and allowed for creativity in responses as it not only relies on written responses or individual work but gets feedback from peers. The life cycle analysis will get students to consider the environmental impact of their product at every stage of its production, use or even end of life. I have also used to good success with SEND classes.

This is an assessment system I created as part of a school initiative to track progress of SEND students working below the age expected levels they would normally be at. It is based on a similar system called PIVAT5 which the school had invested in for maths and English. I created this system so that DT could be assessed in a similar way to maths and English whilst working in a SEND setting. If you have used or are familiar with the PIVAT5 system, then this works in the same way. Highlight the boxes as a student achieves them. the number of highlighted achievements on a page will correspond with the table at the bottom of each page (the number of ticks) to give a score/level/stage. This worked extremely well for me in a SEND setting where I was working with students of many different SEND needs and challenges to learning whilst they also had and achieved a wide range of ability and successes within the subject. Whilst some students would easily go onto entry level or even GCSE at a later stage, this system allowed me to track progress being made by students with PMLD too. May also be suitable for DT work in a primary school or early years setting. Feel free to adapt to your setting. I have pdf and word versions uploaded so they can be used as best suited by your needs. I found a digital copy for each student worked well with notes and highlighting done within word to allow me to keep track of each students progress as well as note any significant work as evidence.

Topic 4 in the GCSE course. Lots more PowerPoints being prepared and uploaded. This one covers energy generation (fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables) Exam questions, discussion and notes to take with diagrams.

Topic 18, a more detailed at papers and boards A more in depth look at papers and board, beginning with the source and production of paper before setting a creative brief and design task for students to follow that should allow them to deepen their understanding of using and working with papers/boards. The activity requires lots of cardboard and would be suitable for at home learning if some basic tools were supplied to extend it beyond working with just scissors.

Topic 23 focuses around creativity and the process of coming up with designs as well as developing designs. often students struggle with design fixation or even coming up with their first ideas. This resource shares video and techniques for coming up with creative solutions as well as strategies you can use to practice becoming more creative.

Topic 25 is about health and safety and the use of risk assessment and planning for controlling risk in the workshop but also in larger situations. Useful for planning as part of the NEA and prior to any workshop practical projects.

A great project that I have used with key stage 3 for two years now. Students design and make a 3D photo frame. The frame is simply made from a small A5 backing piece of material with some wooden edging cut to size by the students and some mitre joints to add a frame to the very front and then students are given a variety of materials and tools to decorate the picture and frame itself. The booklet is used for students to document all of their design considerations, planning and ideas and the making itself. Sections include evaluations, design ideas, a specification and space for teacher comments and feedback. Recently we have begun using the 3D printer to add small elements to the frames and increase the awareness of this new technology to our students. Simple objects could be downloaded from thingiverse or made from scratch if you have time.

A small booklet for students to update with relevant notes when they have been demonstrated and then used a new piece of machinery in the workshop. the booklet stays within their design technology folder for reference as well as a record of the workshop competence. Useful for new teachers to see student’s experiences. Blank pages at back can be used if new equipment is introduced. space for notes, photos and example products. the front section is also set out with hand tools in a similar format to the older style GCSE papers.

Topic 16 of the GCSE PowerPoint Collection Covering ecological and social issues that student’s should develop an understanding of. Activities and discussion points to support learning throughout along with videos and images to bring the topics alive with real-life examples.

Topic 14 in the series of GCSE PowerPoints. Not necessarily part of the specification for every product design GCSE but is worth introducing to students as a material area as it can be useful for so many products and careers. Activities, notes and discussion points. A practical that can be done from home or in a limited textiles environment that introduces students to basic sewing skills and simple e-textiles which can be linked back to previous learning on smart and modern materials.

PowerPoint 13 in the set for GCSE Product Design, introducing polymers. Activities, exam questions and discussion points. Useful to have material samples to help alongside this. Covers the two types of plastics, their uses, environmental concerns with plastic use and a practical to strengthen working skill and understanding of material use.

Topic 7 in the GCSE set of PowerPoints. Covering simple mechanisms including levers, types of motions and gears. a good introduction to the topic with questions and a project to create a mechanical toy set to strengthen and develop learning.

The first of a set of PowerPoints I have produced to cover the GCSE content for Product Design. It sets out the content to be covered over the two years, the style of learning (TEEP cycle) and some simple introduction activities to get students thinking and engaged.

An adaption of the platinum pudding to make smaller serving in cups. Lesson plan gives options for the recipe depending on your time frame. From using pre-prepared parts or making the full recipe to make the dessert ready for the jubilee celebrations.