Design and technology project

Structures- Freestanding structures 

Prior learning

Prior learning

• Experience of using construction kits to build walls, towers and frameworks.

• Experience of using of basic tools e.g. scissors or hole punches with construction materials e.g. plastic, card.

• Experience of different methods of joining card and paper.

Designing

• Generate ideas based on simple design criteria and their own experiences, explaining what they could make.

• Develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, mock-ups and drawings. 

Making

• Plan by suggesting what to do next.

• Select and use tools, skills and techniques, explaining their choices.

• Select new and reclaimed materials and construction kits to build their structures.

• Use simple finishing techniques suitable for the structure they are creating.

Evaluating

• Explore a range of existing freestanding structures in the school and local environment e.g. everyday products and buildings.

• Evaluate their product by discussing how well it works in relation to the purpose, the user and whether it meets the original design criteria.

Technical knowledge and understanding

• Know how to make freestanding structures stronger, stiffer and more stable.

• Know and use technical vocabulary relevant to the project.

Skills progression

Key Stage 1

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, pupils should be taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. They should work in a range of relevant contexts [for example, the home and school, gardens and playgrounds, the local community, industry and the wider environment].

When designing and making, pupils should be taught to:

Design

•  design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users 

• based on design criteria generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, 

• templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology

Make

•  select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing]

•  select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction 

• materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their characteristics

Evaluate

•  explore and evaluate a range of existing products

•  evaluate their ideas and products against design criteria

Technical knowledge

•  build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable

•  explore and use mechanisms [for example, levers, sliders, wheels and axles], in their products

Key vocabulary

cut, fold, join, fix structure, wall, tower, framework, weak, strong, base, top, underneath, side, edge, surface, thinner, thicker, corner, point, straight, curved metal, wood, plastic circle, triangle, square, rectangle, cuboid, cube, cylinder