Introduction to the subject:

Product Design is a Technology subject taught through both Key stages. Product Design enables pupils to use their design skills and technical knowledge to improve the way that existing products work and look, and/or produce them at a lower cost. They are also involved in designing and making entirely new products at Ysgol Bryn Alyn. Pupils will use drawings, 3-D models and computer designs to express their ideas. Pupils are given the opportunity to understand new technologies, production methods and materials and be able to meet deadlines and work within budgets.

Throughout the subject pupils will develop usable real life skills to help when they leave school and understand how the world operatives from a technological perspective.

KS3:

We aim to provide pupils with a variety of different projects during the first 3 years. This is to develop pupils skills when designing a product and eventually manufacturing it. Pupils will use a variety of different materials to solve an initial design problem. All practicals will follow the design process (Understanding, Research, Designing, Making and Evaluation). Every half term there will be a formal assessment based around the theory content studied; this will lead directly into each pupil’s progress updates.

Projects include:

Year 7 – Acrylic photo frame and Funky Storage
Year 8 – Chocolate Mould and Tea Light Holder
Year 9 – Pewter Jewellery and Portable Speaker

Useful links for KS3:

http://www.technologystudent.com/

KS4:

Year 10 – Pupils will complete a series of projects in which they will gain the necessary skills to be able to complete their own project at Year 11. These are in run a way in which pupils will gain experience working with a range of materials and processes required at GCSE. Projects will require and an element of testing and modelling (iterative design) at the request of the WJEC. Pupils will also work through the theory content of the course in preparation for the examination in May of year 11.

Year 11 – Lessons are split 50/50 (50% theory content and 50% Coursework). Pupils will choose one brief from the WJEC which they will pursue in order to produce a product that satisfies the requirements. Pupils are expected to complete an A4 sketchbook, A3 formal presentation sheets, a prototype and final product. In regards to the exam, pupils sit one 2 hour exam covering all theory content.

Projects include:

Year 10 – Phone desk tidy and Mini NEA (non-exam assessment)
Year 11 – GCSE NEA

Useful links for KS4:

https://sites.google.com/view/dt-source/home

http://www.technologystudent.com/

Extra-Curricular:

Break and dinner catch up sessions (KS3 and KS4)
Compulsory after school revision (Year 11)