Robots of the Future
Robots, as we know them, came out of the late nineteenth century. They featured in films of the early 1950s as mechanical humans that would perform superhuman feats. Other robots simply carried out household tasks like cleaning and cooking while their owners relaxed.
Students are asked to Design a robot of the future - thinking about what our needs might be in a hundred year’s time and what tasks robots will do for us?
Skills and learning:
Imagination
Lateral thinking
Problem solving
Engineering
Drawing and perspective skills
Real world and future world problems
Annotation and technical drawing
Anti-Litter Machine – Heath Robinson
In this fun lesson students are asked to examine how Heath Robinson’s over engineered Anti-Litter Machine works and design with their own more effective contraptions. The accompanying extension task asks students to research Heath Robinson and to design ‘in the style of’.
Skills and learning:
Imagination
Lateral thinking
Types of motion
Engineering
Drawing and perspective skills
Research and interpretation skills
Annotation and technical drawing
Art Deco Christmas Bauble
Students are asked to research and design an Art Deco inspired Christmas bauble decoration by the company John Lewis. The worksheet also contains an extension task for high achievers.
Skills practised:
Imagination
Lateral thinking
Drawing and perspective skills
Use of shape and colour
Narrative and storytelling
Annotation and technical drawing
Cut Out and Keep Board Game
Students are asked to: “design a ‘Cut out and Keep’ board game which could be printed on the back of a cereal packet for example. The design should include; The board; 6 playing pieces; A spinner; Instructions”
Skills practised:
Imagination
Lateral thinking
Drawing and perspective skills
Use of shape and colour
Narrative and storytelling
Annotation and technical drawing
Design a Christmas Cracker
Legend has it that Christmas Crackers were first designed by confectioner Tom Smith to sell his sweets at Christmas time. He was inspired by the ‘bon bon’ wrapper design that he had seen on his travels in France. He added the ‘snap’ when the cracker was pulled apart and put in a joke or riddle along with the sweet and they have remained a popular part of the festive season ever since!
Students are asked to design a festive cracker for Christmas – cutting out the template and using drawing and colour to create their own stand out Christmas decoration. The worksheet includes teacher instructions and an extension task for high achievers.
Skills practised:
Imagination
Drawing skills
Use of shape and colour
Hand skills and accuracy
Shape and function