Design Technology Spring 1

This half term the children have completed some wonderful projects in Design and Technology! 

In Reception, following a trip to the Discovery Museum, where the children explored various types of transport, old and new, they designed and made their own boats. Before designing, we tested different materials to find out which ones were waterproof. We also tested different types of containers to find out which ones would float and make the best boat. The children made their boats independently using junk modelling materials, They were amazing! 

In Year 1, the children designed their own moving storybook for their mechanisms project. They looked at the different parts of the rhyme which helped them to design the background, and decide which characters they were going to include. The children used their cutting skills to cut out their puppets as well as the mechanism to make the characters move. They were able to evaluate their story book, they could tell us which parts they liked, and what they would change if they made it again. 

In Year 3, the children had their first attempt at packaging design. They explored a range of product packaging and looked carefully at the nets. The children really developed their design skills by using Sketchpad (CAD) to design nets for their 3D products. The children assembled their nets, and thought about how they could strengthen their packaging in order to create a sturdy product.  

In Year 4, the children showed us their brilliant skills in textiles. They looked at the advantages and disadvantages of different types of fastening in order to decide which one to use in their product. The children used the design criteria to design their book sleeve and also thought carefully about how to decorate it. The children developed their stitching skills by sewing on appliques and buttons too!