The ninth in the set of GCSE Product Design PowerPoints. This one covers the topic of papers and boards. It works well as an introduction with students taking notes as well as setting a design activity to explore the content further and develop the students knowledge of printed items.

No 10 in the series of GCSE PowerPoints for Product Design. This one introduces the students to the topic of natural timbers. A very quick introduction to the topic with more coming later int he academic year. See Topic 19. I have covered hardwoods and softwoods, given example materials and their properties. Useful to have lots of timber samples as a handling collection to go with this.

Number 11 in the set of GCSE PowerPoints. An introduction into the use, properties and working characteristics of different manufactured boards. Information presented for students to take notes as well as activities to strengthen understanding and exam practice question.

Topic 23 focuses around creativity and the process of coming up with designs as well as developing designs. often students struggle with design fixation or even coming up with their first ideas. This resource shares video and techniques for coming up with creative solutions as well as strategies you can use to practice becoming more creative.

Topic 25 is about health and safety and the use of risk assessment and planning for controlling risk in the workshop but also in larger situations. Useful for planning as part of the NEA and prior to any workshop practical projects.

Topic 27 will extend students understanding of career paths related to design, product design and engineering.

Mini design challenge that has been run with key stage 4 groups many times (and a few adult lessons) to encourage creative thinking and problem solving. Design brief given with opportunities to explore and think outside of the box before using craft materials to prototype and present ideas to a group for feedback. Can easily be run as a competition and does not need specialist equipment so could easily be suitable for use outside of a specialist classroom or even work from home project.

The third in the series of GCSE course content I’m uploading. Following the same style of TEEP learning. Lots of information on new and emerging materials including smart materials. videos and practice exam questions plus discussion points for an engaging topic. works great if you have some smart material samples to demonstrate with such as - https://mindsetsonline.co.uk/product-category/smart-materials/smart-materials-packs-and-books/

SEND friendly safety cards developed for an SEND school. Displayed next to the machines for students to refer to. Colour coded with some symbol support.

Topic 14 in the series of GCSE PowerPoints. Not necessarily part of the specification for every product design GCSE but is worth introducing to students as a material area as it can be useful for so many products and careers. Activities, notes and discussion points. A practical that can be done from home or in a limited textiles environment that introduces students to basic sewing skills and simple e-textiles which can be linked back to previous learning on smart and modern materials.

Topic 24 is focused on the work of other successful and interesting designers. Some are on specifications for certain exam boards but I have also included designers I feel students are inspired by and keen to investigate further. there are relevant videos and activities to support learning.

Topic 21 covers quality control in industry and design. Suitable for preparing students for practicals and also getting them to think carefully about what risks there are in their environment and how they can control/mitigate them. Includes relevant videos and activities to build up understanding and how to apply more QC to their own work.

Topic 22 is excellent for students researching or thinking about preparing for their NEA Contextual challenge. It gives a range of activities, techniques fro students to gather information to support their designing.

Topic 29 is for after students have finished the NEA or close to finishing and offers the opportunity for them to reflect and review all of their work and guide them to develop areas they may have overlooked.

Topic 28 Guidance for students prior to starting their NEA Contextual Challenge. Examples, explaining the concept of an NEA and advice for students to give them a good start on the project. Activities to strengthen the understanding and get them practicing good techniques.

Revision resources for the final topic as well advice for revision. I’ve included files for past papers and mark schemes when they are freely accessible online so they can be found in one place.

A very quick design challenge that is run as part of a homework challenge for year 7 as they enter the school. Once the entire year group has completed we have someone come and judge it for creativity and use of research. The winning designer is given a prize and certificate and if possible their design is drawn up and 3d printed! (A good opportunity for a student in sixth form to assist here) No resources needed other than basic drawing equipment. if you want to push students away from internet research we send them to the school/local library to get their research.

This is a project I was inspired to create after reading about the work of different acrylic jewellery designers in a DATA magazine article. It’s a great project to run if you have a laser cutter or just hand tools available to cut the acrylic and I find it very useful to use up any offcuts and small pieces of acrylic that may have left in departments. I have used with both key stage 3 and key stage 4 and normally restrict them to only using material from the acrylic offcuts bin. The booklet sets out the brief with space for designing, prototyping in card, and documenting the make before presenting their final solution, finished item and an evaluation. With key stage 4 I find it useful to introduce them to a wide range of issues and details about working in plastics and students have always surprised me with creative work. Essential equipment for me to run this project would be: hand tools, Tensol cement to join the layers of acrylic and a few craft items such as pin badge backings, cufflink blanks, or earing posts that can be attached to the item to ensure a fully working and finished solution, I have found these online easily and in craft stores. This can be run over a series of 5/6 lessons or in a single day if you are running an activity of timetable perhaps.

This a great project for doing in classrooms or departments without a workshop. The only materials it requires are card and coloured paper perhaps and it works with or with or without access to computers/printers. Basic graphic equipment can greatly extend the outcomes such as access to drawing boards, scalpels, cutting mats etc. The booklet sets out a design brief for students to work together as a team to make a pop-up book. Each student will have to create a page, and these can then be combined along with a front cover and back cover to create an exciting book. I have used this with key stage 3, but it could also be used with key stage 4. Students can complete the booklet with notes on the different binding methods for making the booklet as well as different pop up mechanisms. They can plan the story of their book or the theme. There is also space for research, writing a specification, documenting the making, and an evaluation alongside space for teacher feedback.

A booklet used alongside the design and make challenge/project of an acrylic clock. I have used in different settings with success including both key stage 3 and key stage 4 class as well as with SEND students. The booklet sets the brief with some space for questioning, research and designing. It allows for documenting the making and a detailed evaluation. Students have come up with interesting designs and made fantastic clocks. The project idea of an acrylic clock is not my own and I have simply made the booklet to allow my students to work and keep a record of their design and making. I found the clock kits on kitronik to be excellent but I know there are many different mechanisms available. Up until recently all acrylic parts have been hand cut but we have just got a laser cutter and this has helped students come up with even more interesting ideas and clocks to display around the classroom.