Subject
Design and Technology: Electronic Products
Ks3 Year 7 Design and Technology Electronics module. This unit forms an introduction into electronics, the theme of this unit is problem-solving with electronics. The theory and practice of Electronics is taught through two practical design-and-make projects. A motor controlled Jitterbug and a Steady hand game with a buzzer and LED. It is expected that students may have a rudimentary appreciation for electronics with regard to conductors and insulators from lessons at Primary School. Their progression in Year 7 will show an understanding of health & safety in electronic areas (workshops or dedicated classrooms). They will learn the purpose of a number of components for input and output along with recognising the component, understanding their use and orientation for use in a circuit. They will learn how to select, set up and use the correct equipment for effective soldering. They will also learn the correct use of equipment to mark out and attach the various sections of the case for their product, along with the method for drilling holes to restrain wires and attach other parts for their product. The students will also gain working knowledge for the application of the ‘design process’ and the importance of quality found through critical evaluation of their own work and take on board other people’s views of their own work with regard to improvement. Year 8 Design and Technology Electronics module. This unit builds on the knowledge and understanding of electronics gained in Year 7. The theme is problem-solving using electronics and the project for this unit is to make a moisture sensor capable of detecting when a houseplant needs watering. Students will add to their knowledge of components by using a transistor as an electronic switch. They will gain further practice using soldering as a method of permanently fixing components to a specially designed printed circuit board. They will also learn how to accurately measure and draw out a suitable design to house the electronic circuit. Students will look at the current technology used for mass producing similar electronic products to the moisture sensor, the production of a high quality housing for any product requires technology such as injection moulding or laser cut parts. Modern products are designed using CAD and cut very precisely. Teachers will show students how to use the basic tools of 2D design and show them the laser cutter operating during this unit. Students will be given a laser cut kit of parts to assemble which will house there circuit board. Students will also gain working knowledge of the ‘design process’ and the importance of quality found through critical evaluation of their own work. They should also take on board other people’s views of their own work with regard to improvement. For higher sets as an extension task students will also design and make an electronic dice project that is controlled by a microcontroller. As well as the construction of the circuit, students will learn programming skills sophisticated enough to make 7 LED’s produce a random dice pattern. Year 9 Design and Technology Electronics module. In Year 9 Students start the first term by being taught from the AQA syllabus followed by a test. For the remainder of the year, the syllabus is taught by students completing two design and make projects. The first is a safety light project using a 555 astable circuit followed by a Cyberpet microcontroller project. The two projects require students to complete a full Powerpoint portfolio of design work for both projects. This is excellent preparation for their AQA GCSE project work which will start in year 10. Assessment Arrangements The KS 3 work requires students to complete a specially prepared booklet for each project, which contain the theory covered in class and are used for homework tasks. The marks for each project are recorded and are used to monitor students progression towards their target grade. In year 9 the design and make projects are assessed and are used to monitor students progression towards their target grade. In addition, students in years 7 and 8 sit an examination which tests them on all three topics studied, which includes resistant materials, and graphics and electronics. Students in Year 9 also sit an annual exam which tests them on the theory work they have covered in Year 9 lessons.