Design and Technology - Resistant Materials Teacher in Charge of Subject:
Mr Pennance
Entry Requirements: You will have gained at least a grade C in the GCSE Design and Technology courses of Resistant Materials (RMT). Course Details: The two year course made up of a four units, two units at AS and a further two units at A2 which combine to make the full A level. The course will be assessed by externally set examinations and internal coursework assessments. In both AS and A2 there are challenging design and make activities which will give you the opportunity to develop your drawing and making skills. The AS is split into two units: Unit 1 – Portfolio of Creative Skills: This unit is the coursework element of the course and contributes 60 % to the AS. The structure of the Portfolio is split into three sections Product Investigation (20%) You select a product and disassemble it to discover how it is made and compare it to another product to look for improvements in manufacture and quality. Product Design (20%) This task is to work with a client to design a table that draws its inspiration from a design movement or an architectural style. The solution is developed further by modelling in 3D and finally presented in CAD Product Manufacture (20%) In this final section you will produce the table that you have designed with a view to developing higher level making skills. Throughout this process you will use photography to document difficulty and complexity of your product. Unit 2 – Design and Technology in Practice: In this unit students will be examined about knowledge and understanding of a wide range of materials and processes used in the field of RMT design and technology. This contributes 40% to the AS marks. At A2 students willstudy: Unit 3 – Design for the future: exam based around design history, sustainability and ICT in design. This contributes 20% to A2. Unit 4 – Commercial Design Project: instigated by a client negotiated with the student leading to a working prototype. This contributes 30% to A2. Exams/Coursework: AS
40 % exam
60% coursework
A2
40% exam
60% Coursework
Career Options: Students have gone on to study degrees in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Motor Vehicle Design, Product Design, CAD designer, Architecture. Over the years some students have chosen to follow industry sponsored degree courses whilst in employment e.g. Bentley (Crewe) and BAE systems.