An investigation with comprehension exercises to support the teaching of timbers and manufactured boards along with their typical applications in the world of design and manufacturing. Timbers and boards are described along with their physical and mechanical characteristics and reasons for use.

A resource developed for years seven, eight or nine to improve graphic skills and presentation of ideas. The seven tasks begin with thick and thin line technique, rendering materials and texture. Students are given 'sample sheets' of black and white rendered forms that show how tonal detail and specific materials would appear rendered in both monochrome and colour. Students are then prompted to look at how to combine colour with tone and texture. The Powerpoint contains all the visual resources and examples needed to complete the assignment.

Perspective work sheets made especially for lower ability students. The Powerpoint slides take them through the concepts stage by stage. The work can be consolidated by completing an identical workbook by adding missing details.

A guide booklet for year nine or ten describing frame and box construction techniques. The resource offers a list of prompts to help develop and plan a storage idea in timber.

Construct a range of basic timber jointing methods using dimensioned diagrams. Students are then prompted to describe/record how they made each as part of research and preparation for their major coursework component. . Its amazing that only three basic techniques are needed to produce some fairly sohisticated and demanding outcomes for project work.I havnt finished this booklet but you are welcome to use it. It works well for lower ability/ poorly motivate students as a supplement to arrid 'folder work'. Enjoy!

Production exercise for a key stage three group using timber and basic mechanisms. Sequential photo diagrams and notes explains how to construct a mechanical timber robot from stock size softwood. Each stage of making is described in sequence with all the dimensions and assembly instructions. Enrichment opportunity exists in prompts toward a more sophisticated outcome. The second booklet contains photographs only and more detail about production aids to explain assembly

A task designed to introduce simple mechanisms and develop work shop skills when possibly producing in quantity. This a comprehensive and very visual resource that lends itself to a production based, or focussed practical task for year nine or ten students. The task includes opportunity for some differentiation in terms of the level of sophistication of possible outcomes. Clear, concise instructions guide every step of production and assembly. A really fun task to explore batch production and team work. I also plan to use it to help develop students ability to plan the production of a chosen outcome by identifying the resources needed and the correct, logical sequence of construction and assembly.

A resources to enable students and teachers to investigate nineteenth and twentieth century lighting as stimulus to designing an interior light using a range of materials and processes. The file contains an investigation into major design movements from the Arts And Crafts movement to the digital design of the present and how these philosophies and styles have influenced design. Students are prompted to critically analyse examples of lighting designs from each era to find useful features for their own work. The pack also contains a guide booklet to take them through each stage of the design task. Each resource can be edited or adjusted to suit the needs of the teacher and class.

A task designed to help students gain expertise and confidence using CAD skills using Google Sketchup. Easy to follow, step by step instructions allow the user to produce an attractive, completed design for a mechanical robot toy using a wide range of basic tools and functions within Google Sketchup.

A focused investigation into different types of paper and card together with their uses with reasons designed for AQA product design. The pack also explores printing techniques and processes with their uses. Students have a set of questions and tasks to consolidate their learning. Its a very visual resource designed for a board display.

A resource for art teachers designed to introduce students to a range of basic techniques, processes and terminology about using paint and application methods. The resources contains a lot of clear, well presented visual resources and a detailed four page task booklet to guide and instruct students through each process and technique.

Made for the AQA Resistant Materials preliminary material research task in preparation for the exam. A page of development diagrams and tasks designed to prepare sudents to be able to describe in diagrams and words how to construct a task light using a variety of methods or approaches.

An introduction to Adobe Photoshop for beginners or more advanced. A resource for both teachers and students with some structured activities designed to help them become familiar with the basic resources and functions of the application. Highly visual resources explore Photoshop uses for artists,photographers and media students and teachers.

A resource and set of activities prepared for year eight to introduce types of motion, mechanisms and force. The resource offers some comprehension and practical research into levers, linkages, and cam mechanisms with a card based engineering design task at the end. questions and tasks to consolidate and extend the learning are built in at each stage

An information and research task for students and teachers to investigate a range of mechanical fixings, knock down fittings and adhesives. A wide range of examples are covered along with practical applications with reasons for use. The closing slides contain a comprehension exercise and question sheet for students to complete. The resource contains lots of images and reference to real world applications.

A guided investigation beginning with stock forms of availability and progressing into an analysis of the physical and mechanical properties of a range of materials together with their working properties. The resource then analyses basic fabrication processes and how these impact different scales of hand and commercial production for a variety of materials together with their uses in manufacturing. Students have a set of questions and tasks to complete to consolidate their learning.

A rich visual investigation into traditional timber construction methods along with their typical applications in the world of design and manufacturing. Each family of joining methods are described in photographs and diagrams together with the reasons for use.

A fantastic resource for an enrichment activity or craft club. Build this adorable, laminated, carved and polished birch plywood duck toy. A perennial push along favourite. Follow the easy to understand tutorial to complete your own push pull duck toy. The head rises and falls as you push him along causing the beak to snap open and shut making a lovely click. Two concealed cam wheels also cause the wings to raise and lower alternately. He’s carved and shaped from layers of stained and sealed birch plywood for durability. The tutorial contains all the information, templates and drawings needed to produce your own clattering duck that will be treasured for years.

An ideal extension or group production exercise for later years. Build this adorable trike riding chimp using the easy to follow, detailed plans. He pedals furiously as you push him along with a push stick located in the back of the tricycle frame. His head and torso rises and falls on the saddle with effort as he rides along. He’s made of oak with an oiled finish for protection, any number of other timbers could be suitable, especially beech. The handlebars, shoulder pivot, and leg spacers are made from easily sourced and shaped metal components. An ideal accompaniment for a manufacturing and mechanisms exploration assignment.

A resource I designed and made for year nine or ten product design. Students study the basics of motion, mechanisms and force to produce a crank driven garden decoration. It isn’t a heavily prescriptive resource but offers opportunity for interpretation, differentiation and varying degrees of sophistication in terms of outcome. It contains lots of mini focused practical tasks to produce the key components for a complete, functioning garden whirligig. It contains a wealth of information to help analyze existing products, conceptualize and develop a working solution. I’ve also attached a complete production plan for the whirligig shown in the video.