Design Technology

Design Technology Vision

At Evendons, our DT teaching and learning is an integral part of our STEM curriculum. We provide children with real life contexts for learning DT, inspired by our thematic curriculum. We encourage them to become independent and creative problem solvers and thinkers, working independently or as part of a team to fulfil a design brief.

Our DT learning combines practical skills with a knowledge and understanding of structures, mechanisms, textiles, food and nutrition across all key stages and additionally electronics in Key Stage 2.

 

“Design is a funny word. Some people think design means how it looks. But of course, if you look deeper, it’s really how it works.”

Steve Jobs

“Technology makes possibilities. Design makes solutions.”

John Maeda

Design and Technology Intent

Through our DT curriculum, Evendons children are inspired by engineers, designers, chefs and architects from the world of STEM to motivate them to create a range of structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and food products. STEM ambassador visits to the school are used where possible to help inspire our childrens’ learning, as well as using our thematic curriculum to make links between DT and other subject areas. This gives children a real sense of purpose for what they create and the opportunity to use knowledge from other subject areas to influence their work.

Using the DT cycle of Design-Make-Evaluate, the children develop skills and knowledge appropriate for their age, building upon what they have learned before. They learn to use an increasing range of tools and materials safely. Children learn the relevant vocabulary and terms linked to their DT projects and use this confidently when they are working.

Design and Technology Implementation

The teaching and implementation of the DT Curriculum at Evendons Primary School is based on the National Curriculum and linked to themes to ensure a well-structured, progressive approach to this multi-skilled subject. 

In the Early Years, the skills and knowledge linking to the Design and Technology curriculum are included within the ‘Understanding of the World’ and ‘Expressive Arts and Design’ aspects of the Early Years Framework. During the children’s independent learning time, they have the opportunity to explore resources that will begin to support them to Design, Make and Evaluate their work. Resources that may facilitate this exploration include, junk modelling, Mobilo, Lego, sellotape, glue, hole punches and large construction resources. Through adult intervention during independent learning, children are encouraged to talk about their ideas for their products, it’s use and make informal evaluations. 

In Key Stages 1 and 2, the teacher’s plan and teach DT inspired by their class themes for each half term, The skills of ‘design, make and evaluate’ are taught in each DT unit of work, including mechanisms, structures, textiles and food and nutrition. The children create an end product in DT using their previous experiences and knowledge of each area. Please read our Design and Technology Whole school Overview:  Design and Technology Whole School Overview

Impact of Design and Technology
  • Clubs with DT links:
  • Evendons Lego Brickies – a lego club for children in KS1. Children are set a task each week which may be inspired by a story or theme. They then discuss their ideas for their product and create it, evaluating and adapting as they go. Models of penguins that children created linked to the story ‘Lost and Found’
    • STEM Club
    • Arts and Crafts Club
    • Advanced Sewing Club – children use their knowledge and skills of sewing to create a project.

Events through the year:

  • Tree Day – children had the opportunity to chat with one of our Year 6s and his mum about the woodwork they do at home. They learned about and had a go with several different woodworking tools.
  • STEM Week – our Engineering Day saw everyone investigating the strength of different structures, from spaghetti-and-marshmallow towers to chocolate welding.
  • Our very own resident engineer Rob works with several different year groups using resources he has created to enhance their understanding of engineering and DT within their theme.

 

 

 

 

Educational Visits

There are several educational visits throughout the year which incorporate DT and Engineering. These include:

      • Year 1 local walk, looking at different types of building and structures.
      • Year 1 visit to Milestones Museum.
      • Year 2 visit to Brooklands Motor Museum.

Projects

An important part of our Upper Key Stage 2 DT curriculum is the children taking part in an electric car project. We have two electric cars in school, which the children in Year 6 have the opportunity to assemble and build prior to racing at Goodwood. Alongside this work, they create a shared project portfolio and also work collaboratively to design, source and build a body for their car, before testing the car and practising driving. Once completed, the children visit Goodwood to take part in the Greenpower: Lockheed Martin Gathering of Goblins.

By Emily Taylor – Design and Technology Lead