Yr7 Mechanisms Project - Mechanical Grabber - Resistant Materials

A Yr7 project that has been developed so that it can be delivered by non-specialists as well as specialist D&T teachers.

The resource has an animated teacher presentation with an accompanying comprehensive student work book.

The project practical outcome is a mechanical grabbing device that uses 3mm plywood levers and 6mm MDF handles and jaws, assembled using lock nuts, bolts and PVA glue - all instructions are illustrated in both attached resources.

The project spans 14 one hour lessons, though can be lengthened or shortened as both resources are editable MS PowerPoints.

Lessons have retrieval practice question starters, and there are extended learning tasks every two lessons (these are detachable sheets from the back of the workbook). Maths and reading comprehension tasks are also included. Lesson 6 has been allocated as a DIT lesson.

Topics covered include: Designers and their designs, biomimicry, workshop safety, timbers, workshop tools and equipment, simple machines with a focus on levers, stock forms of timber, the design process, scaling drawings, workshop practical , testing and evaluating. Lesson 14 has a 20 mark assessment which again can be extended if needed.

The lesson sequence is as follows:
L1 - What is a Design Brief
L1&2 - How Do We Make a Mechanism?
L3&4 - What Are Levers & Simple Machines?
L5 - Which Material and Tools?
L6 - DIT - Dedicated Improvement Time
L7 - How Does Research & Analysis Help Designing?
L8 - What Does Developing A Design Mean?
L9 - Creating and Using Templates
L10&11 - How Do We Shape MDF?
L11&12 - Decorating & Assembling
L13 - Testing & Evaluating.
L14 - Assessment.

I have used this for two years now making changes as I have taught it. I feel that this project format works extremely well. Where I have had split groups with non-specialists, they have taught the workbook/theory side of things, and I have done the practical aspects.

Prep info: the plywood is precut to 200mm lengths at 25mm wide. The MDF is supplied to the students as two times 100mmx100mm pieces (though this is generous!). Jigs were made for the drilling of the holes for the bolts to assure accuracy and uniformity.