Engineering

ENGINEERING                                                                  AQA            8852

Why study Engineering?

The sky’s the limit.  Engineering is an increasingly innovative and exciting area to work in.  It affects every aspect of modern life – from skyscrapers to smart phones, cars to carrier bags.  The GCSE Engineering course introduces students to a host of new technologies, helping them to gain practical skills and understanding to inspire a lifelong interest in engineering.  It will particularly appeal to those who enjoy being creative, with an affinity for drawing, design, maths and problem-solving.  There is a clear structure to the assessment, an internally assessed and externally moderated single design and make activity and a written examination using a mixture of question styles, giving students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.  

How is the course organised?

The subject content is split into six sections; engineering materials, engineering manufacturing processes, systems, testing and investigation, the impact of modern technologies and practical engineering skills.  The subject content is taught within a range of realistic contexts based around the major themes in the specification.  The students produce design work and practical pieces during Year 10 to help to understand subject content.  To gain the most from the specification, sections are taught holistically.  For example, the properties of particular materials could be taught in a practical environment.  Students must also demonstrate mathematical knowledge and understanding, in relation to engineering.  

How is it assessed?

Unit 1:  Written exam: 2 hours, 120 marks (60%) 

Sections 1–6 from the subject content.  Though the 'Practical engineering skills' section will predominantly be assessed through the NEA, some questions in the written exam will relate to practical contexts and students will need to apply their understanding within these contexts.

Unit 2:  Non-exam assessment (NEA): 30 hours approx., worth 80 marks (40%).  This is an internally assessed and externally moderated single design-and-make activity selected from a range of tasks set by the Exam Board.  

Students produce: 

• •  engineering drawings or schematics to communicate a solution to the brief

  •  an engineering product that solves a problem

The NEA project consists of a working prototype and a concise portfolio including sector-specific drawings and an evaluation of their product.  

The portfolio will consist of an investigation into a context; analysis of the problem; relevant research to formulate a range of methods of solving the problem (including modelling); systems diagrams and sector-specific drawings; a final prototype that is fit for purpose, a test plan and a final evaluation.

How can I find out more?

See Mr Potkin (Head of  DT and Engineering) and also have a look at the work produced by students in Years 10 and 11.

Have a look at the AQA website for details about the specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/engineering/gcse/engineering-8852