Design & Manufacture
National 4/National 5
Course Overview
AIMS OF THE COURSE
The Course provides a broad practical introduction to design, materials and manufacturing processes. It provides opportunities for pupils to gain skills in both designing and in communicating design proposals. It allows pupils to explore the properties and uses of materials and to make models and prototypes of products.
COURSE CONTENT
DESIGN - Pupils will analyse a brief, generate ideas, develop ideas and plan for manufacture. This will involve freehand sketching, model making, computer aided design and adding written comments to justify design decisions.
MANUFACTURE - Pupils will measure and mark out materials using hand tools, cut materials using hand tools and machinery, learn how to assemble materials and apply finishes to materials. Pupils will then evaluate their finished prototype against their specification.
THEORY - Pupils will complete worksheets using textbooks in order to prepare them for their metalwork test. There are currently two main projects in S4 i.e. the candle holder and tea light project.
HOMEWORK REQUIREMENTS
Theory homework quizzes will be issued regularly throughout the course to support understanding of designing, materials and manufacturing.
POSSIBLE PROGRESSION ROUTES
This course would be useful for pupils entering employment in design or craft based industries.
Faculty Principal Teacher
Mr L Ball
Assessment Methods
Both levels require the pupils to design and manufacture items.
At National 4, the designs and manufactured projects are assessed by the class teacher throughout the course. The teacher’s judgements are internally verified by school colleagues and sometimes by visiting verifiers from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
At National 5 there is on-going assessment to ensure appropriate progress in designing and manufacturing skills with the addition of related theory. For qualifications, there is an end of course assignment and a theory examination. In the assignment, pupils design and manufacture an object to suit a given design brief. Design work is sent to SQA for marking. Manufacturing is assessed by the class teacher with the usual internal and external verification. The theory examination is marked by SQA. An overall mark for all three elements will give a Grade A-D for the course.
Learning and Teaching Approaches
Much of the course will be experiential in nature. Design lessons will be taught to the whole class followed by individual help as pupils require it. For each new practical process, demonstrations are used to explain how to carry out the process safely and accurately. These may be to the whole class, small groups or with individual pupils.
Progression Pathways
National 5 A or B:
Higher Design and Manufacture