WHY BLOCKBOTS WORK SO WELL IN D&T

Designing and making BlockBots in D&T is powerful, because it combines creativity, hands-on skills, problem-solving and reflection, giving students a complete design to make learning journey.

Skill Baseline & Progression

Many schools use BlockBots as a baseline project to assess skills across key areas like measuring, marking out, cutting, drilling and assembling. This helps teachers identify strengths and gaps early, while giving students confidence in practical workshop routines.

Hands-On Practical Learning

Students learn to use real tools safely, including saws, clamps, drills and fretsaws, while applying health and safety principles. Making BlockBots requires accuracy and control, reinforcing the importance of quality assurance and quality control in practical work.

Creativity & Design Thinking

Pupils brainstorm multiple design ideas, sketch, annotate and plan their BlockBot before making. This mirrors professional design processes such as ideation, prototyping, iteration and evaluation.

Problem Solving & Innovation

Students face real challenges, from choosing the right materials, fixing mistakes and adapting designs. This builds resilience and a growth mindset, encouraging them to see mistakes as opportunities to improve.

Cross-Curricular Links

BlockBots can be themed (e.g., biomimicry, robotics, festive elves), linking science, art and technology. They also introduce engineering concepts like joints, mechanisms and structural stability.

Assessment & Reflection

Teachers can use BlockBot projects for both formative and summative assessment, tracking progress in design communication, workshop skills and final product quality. Students reflect on their process, learning to evaluate their own work against design criteria.