Topics/Skills Taught
Year 7
Graphics - Thermometer Project
Students use Smart materials and Publisher to design and make a thermometer and packaging for a specific target market. Students also learn about forces and structures and in groups, design, make and destroy a bridge.
Textiles – Cushion Project
Students use a range or techniques including applique to create a cushion cover based on a theme of their choice. They develop both their hand and machine sewing techniques.
Sustainability Project
Students explore the relationship between product design and the environment. Students work in teams to create an environmentally friendly product from a range of materials.
Year 8
Clock Project
Students use artistic movements to inspire a clock design which is then fabricated from plywood. A working clock mechanism is then inserted into the product to complete the design.
Food – Cooking Across the Seasons
Students study topics including healthy eating, food hygiene and safety, food waste before going on to produce a range of dishes which use a variety of skills and techniques. Dishes include pizza, chilli, cheesecake and muffins.
Engineering - Light Project
Students use their manufacturing skills to produce a pine box and CAD skills to produce an acrylic design on the laser cutter. This is then back lit by a colour changing LED powered by a circuit soldered by the students.
Year 9
Graphics – Cinema Snack Pack Project
Students develop their Publisher and 3D modelling skills to design and make a snack pack container for the cinema using an iterative design process.
Food - World Foods Project
Students look at different cultures from around the world and their staple diets to create a cultural food project. Students have the freedom to select their own dish from their chosen culture.
Textiles - Pyjama Project
Students use Photoshop to create their own print designs and pattern repeats to develop a range of ideas. They use a range of equipment including the overlocker and vinyl cutter to manufacture a pair of pyjamas.
Desk Tidy Project
Students construct a desk tidy which incorporates a range of traditional joints and techniques. The completed desk tidies can then be decorated using a laser cut design.
Engineering - Design Engineering Challenge
Students are given a Design Challenge to develop their research and design skills. Students will recap on their soldering and mechanisms knowledge and learn about microcontrollers and flow charts using Arduino.
Extra Curricular Activities
Technical Lego club
Technology lunchtime catch up sessions
Young Engineers of South Derbyshire Competition
iRail Competition
