What will students study in Engineering Design?

Engineering Design is a new course for students commencing in Year 9 2021.  Students will begin in September by developing their practical making skills through a range of short design and make tasks using a variety of resistant materials including cutting a range of wood joints, using pewter and developing enamelling skills.  From November to February students will take part in the Design Ventura Challenge set and run by the Design Museum, London. In teams, students design and manufacture innovative solutions to everyday problems, presenting their products for selection which could result in the manufacture and retail of their product in the museum shop. Students develop their understanding of materials, processes, mechanisms and systems by designing a fully operational product.

Students will be taught both freehand and CAD engineering drawing techniques and how to use drawing conventions to add dimensions to provided drawings to prepare them for 2 controlled assessment tasks that begin in Year 10.

What are the major assessments this year?

Each half-term students will complete a mini assessment. Students will set their own targets based on peer and teacher feedback, improving on these in the next project. Students will also be assessed on their practical technical ability and should demonstrate progression and resilience within their work.

What do assessments test?

Assessments are designed to assess knowledge and understanding of the subjects taught.  Students will also be assessed on their practical skills using the OCR specification exam board grading criteria.  Assessments will test:

1. The principles of engineering design,
2. Communicating design
3. Design, evaluation and modelling

What are the expectations of students in Engineering Design?

We expect that students follow all instructions given including health and safety rules.  A variety of homework will be set and all deadlines must be met.  If a student has any problems with their work they must speak to their subject teacher at least the day before their lesson. 

What should my daughter do if she feels she is struggling in Engineering Design?

In the first instance, they should speak to her subject teacher who will help to identify specific areas for improvement in the subject with targeted support.

How can I best support my daughter in Engineering Design?

The best way to provide general support is by discussing their work in the subject and how things are going. If you can access the CAD programs Techsoft 2D Design, Google Sketch UP, or Adobe Photoshop and encourage your daughter to develop her computer aided design skills by working through the free trials, she will increase her confidence and develop her original ideas. Visiting exhibitions and galleries such as the Design Museum, the V&A, and Science Museum will support the research section of the Controlled Assessment. For any clarification of key knowledge and revision use the websites www.technologystudent.com and https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zdvb2sg . It would be helpful if students can get involved in after school sessions and any design and make or DIY projects around the home.

Whom should I contact for further advice or information?

Please contact the Head of Design and Technology, Mrs Pearce, bpearce@carshaltongirls.org.uk with as much detailed information as possible.