Design & Technology
"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."
Steve Jobs
Why we teach Design & Technology
Design Technology is one of the few subjects in the curriculum where pupils confront and solve problems where there is no right answer. Through Design Technology pupils learn to deal with ambiguity; undertaking tasks without all the information necessary to complete them from the outset. At Egglescliffe CE Primary School we believe that this empowers learners and develops self-confidence. It is our aim at Egglescliffe CE Primary School to equip children to deal with tomorrow’s rapidly changing world; to encourage children to become independent, creative problem solvers and thinkers, both as individuals and part of a team. Through our Design Technology curriculum, children will identify their own and others needs and wants in order to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts.
Through the study of Design and Technology, children will combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, as well as functions and industry. These opportunities allow pupils to reflect on and evaluate past and present technology, its uses and impacts on the world.
How we teach Design & Technology
At Egglescliffe CE Primary School we have created a Design Technology curriculum based around the principle of designing something for somebody for some purpose. Pupils are taught to consider; the user, purpose, functionality, design decisions, innovation and authenticity of the products they are making to support them to work with focus when designing and creating their end product.
Each Design Technology project at Egglecliffe CE Primary school follows the same order of; research, practice, design, make, evaluate. This consistent approach supports children’s confidence in Design Technology lessons as well as helping pupils to be involved in developing the different skills of a designer.
Design and Technology is often used in conjunction with other subjects drawing on disciplines such as mathematics, science, computing and art to develop more meaningful learning experiences. Where meaningful links are made, we encourage Design Technology projects to be cross- curricular, making links with other subjects for greater cohesion, for example pupils in Year 2 design and create moving vehicles whilst learning about travel and transport in their History lessons.
Exceptionality of Design & Technology
We plan for opportunities to practice and consolidate Design Technology skills through different contexts, such as themed STEM Weeks.
When opportunities arise we make connections with local business and arrange for visitors or visits to take place. For example a visit was planned for pupils in Key Stage 2 to visit Cummins and Hartlepool Power Station. During the visit the pupils were given a tour of site and its resources and were involved in a workshop to design their own pylon.
As a school we are lucky to have parents give their time to talk to the children about their own careers. This has included jobs in STEM roles, such as an architect and a researcher.
Books used in Design & Technology
- An Engineer Like Me by Dr Shini Somara
- Marvellous Machines by Jane Wilsher
- Engineers Making A Difference by Dr. Shini Somara
- How Was That Built? by Roma Agrawal
- What’s Technology? The Who, Where, Why and How! by Dr Frances Durkin
- Little People Big Dreams Series by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara.
- Simple Technology Series by Liz Lennon.
- The Spacesuit: How a seamstress helped put man on the moon by Alison Donald
Home Learning Recommendations
BBC CBeebies - https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/curations/radio-digi-tales
Dyson - https://www.jamesdysonfoundation.com/resources/other-engineering-resources/challenge-cards/
BBC Teach - https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/topics/c99ezxv84rpt
The Design Museum London - https://designmuseum.org/designs-and-designers
NHS Recipes - https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/
Design & Technology in Early Years
design technology in early years.pdf
