Construction exercise resource for a mechanical toy. Consists of templates, and some information about construction and variations/changes/development of the basic design. It works on an eccentric cam. I've used it successfully with lower ability students who respond well to a more directed approach.

A rendering activity to explore how to describe tone and texture, in this case softwood. Students can complete the short, three stage exercise to make the robot toy blank look like timber. Its useful for the less confident/able. I built the robot toy but he was stolen before he could be included here. A dodgy flat mate stole him NOT students...they are far more trustworthy!

Develop students ability to add tone, texture and colour using these eleven exercises.

Construct a range of basic timber jointing methods using dimensioned diagrams. Students are then prompted to describe/record how they made each as part of research and preparation for their major coursework component. . Its amazing that only three basic techniques are needed to produce some fairly sohisticated and demanding outcomes for project work.I havnt finished this booklet but you are welcome to use it. It works well for lower ability/ poorly motivate students as a supplement to arrid 'folder work'. Enjoy!

A guided investigation beginning with stock forms of availability and progressing into an analysis of the physical and mechanical properties of a range of materials together with their working properties. The resource then analyses basic fabrication processes and how these impact different scales of hand and commercial production for a variety of materials together with their uses in manufacturing. Students have a set of questions and tasks to complete to consolidate their learning.

A focused investigation into different types of paper and card together with their uses with reasons designed for AQA product design. The pack also explores printing techniques and processes with their uses. Students have a set of questions and tasks to consolidate their learning. Its a very visual resource designed for a board display.

Build this adorable push pull pull frog toy using the easy to follow instructions packed with explanatory text and images. The sequential guide guarantees completing every step easily and successfully with a full description of materials, tools and processes involved.A fantastic enrichment or production exercise task.

Fantastic extension task or after school activity.Build this timber push along crocodile toy that bites and waddles along with the push of his handle. Kids love him and shriek with a mixture of fascination and fear as he ambles toward them. The legs mimic a walking action as the wheels rotate causing the jaws to open and shut with with a realistic snap sound. The tail is articulated and designed to swish side to side as he moves. The production plan contains all the plans, instructions and templates to build your own menacing reptile.

A fantastic resource for an enrichment or craft extension activity. The chimp cycles furiously away as you push him along with a handle located at the back omitted for clarity. As he pedals, the torso tilts forward and back with the effort using a hidden pivot point located between the leg and trike frame. Make him by preparing and assembling the components shown in the detailed dimensioned diagrams and easy to follow assembly instructions. We don’t normally approve of performing primates but he volunteered and got a nice uniform for the gig as well.

A resource I made to support an assignment where students designed and built a wind powered garden decoration. Includes prompts to research and analyse useful research material, to model and experiment ideas, and plan the construction of a chosen idea.

Information slides describing the physical and mechanical properties of materials together with a description of shaping and forming processes. Comprehension exercises/questions to consolidate learning

Students explore motion, levers, linkages and cams as a supporting activity to making a timber robot toy. They can then progress to designing their own mechanical toy using an eccentric cam or linkage.

Use basic Adobe Photoshop functions to develop a composition in the style of the artist Franz Marc. ideally suited to an introduction activity for paint/art based software.

AS coursework support booklet with prompts and some examples of possible outcomes for ideas and development.

Design task using Adobe Photoshop. Pre drawn images available for less able/confident. A task designed to develop expertise in the basic functions such as layers, colours, file types/saving, etc.

Compare and contrast a range of existing barbecue units using given criteria. A bit too wordy and best left to the summer term?

An introduction to product design. Explores Britain's creative and digital industries. Defining the role of product designers and examples of the UK&'S world renowned designers past and present.Thirty minute analysis of a range of products using given headings. This resource contains the teachers slides, a student work, and a lesson plan.

Information slides about structures and forces with a comprehension task at the end.

Assessment pages for units 2 and 4 (Project work). Assessment criteria shown in grid with opportunity for student selfassessment and teacher feedback. The pages are specific are/have been used for unit two and unit four of the AQA Design Technology, Product Design, (3D Design). You can tweak them to suit as required? Saves us all 'reinventing the wheel' all day? Enjoy!

Preparation for AQA exam board timed test for Resistant Materials. Contains information about the designer and lots of prompts, vocabulary and focused tasks in order to prepare for the exam.