Page 24 - St Andrews Prep Androvian 2019-20

22 | CREATIVE ARTS
DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
It has been busy as always in the Design,Technology and Innovation department, where the children have explored projects which have included programming their own electronic circuits, to solving engineering problems by collaborating in teams.
Year 3 created designs to specific themes.They worked with Mr Laughton to explore materials and used tools to make mini buggies which were tested and modified to achieve faster times. They also made key holders.Year 4 children made precious item containers by designing 2D nets and then made 3D boxes. Their skill level when using sewing machines to make draw-string bags was mind-boggling.
Year 5 were tasked with a range of projects based on civil and aeronautical engineering and worked in teams to create gliders and bridges.Year 6 learnt about different electrical components and were given real-life problems which could be resolved with a timer circuit.
The children created mind-maps to solve the problems and then made the circuits in areas including games, cooking, sharing and household activity timers.
Year 7 learnt about new and smart materials and then made a pencil case using conductive thread.They went on to study computer aided design in the architectural project “Grand Designs”.
Year 8 learnt about programmable micro-controllers and how to programme them before making
their own electronic dice. In their Bloodhound Racer project, the pupils learnt about the forces that act on a car before designing and making their own. Their final cars were launched along a race track using an air compressor and
timed; pupils then made modification to their designs in order to improve the time of their car.
DTI Activity – Pupils who have an affinity for DTI love taking advantage
of the co-curricular opportunities in school to build on the knowledge and skill they have developed in their lessons. This year, the children designed and made African instruments; made and programmed an intelligent alarm and created an ugly doll in textiles! Saturday club saw the children explore different areas of design in an interior design project.
Ryan Bagnall, Head of DTI