DT Investigations

Investigation into Design and Technology helps our students gain insights and understandings on the structure, workings, and creation of many things in use everyday, from entire buildings, to doorbells.

These lessons help to connect and integrate aspects from other subjects, creating a deeper and more tangible relationship to concepts covered in other subjects, as well as giving a space to flex both their creative and problem solving skills.

Building Bridges in Reception

In Reception, children have been using building blocks to develop an idea of building towers and bridges. When asked what they had done, the child explained that they used large sized round and square blocks at the bottom and then put an arch over the top of the blocks to make a bridge. This is an example of children in Reception thinking about what they are making and talking about what they thought went well.

Making Moving Picture Books in Year 1

In Year 1 children have been learning about different levers and sliders in order to create their own moving picture book for the book corner. Children have enjoyed investigating how a slider and lever work in order to inform the design development process. Children have included a diagram of the basic functions of a slider and lever to support their design as well as inform the design brief.  They have understood the need for the design to be able to move by pushing and pulling as well as being visually pleasing for the reader. 

Designing Tents in Year 4

In Year 4 children have designed and made a tent for campers in the Lake District. Children created an innovative design that needed to be functional for purpose and the user. It was important children considered the size, materials and accessibility of their design. They also needed to develop the shape of the tent to ensure it was strong and resilient in harsh weather conditions. 

Designing Discreet Alarms in Year 5

In Year 5, children have designed and made an alarm for a Mayan artefact in a museum. They thought carefully about the purpose of the product and the needs of the intended user when generating the design criteria for their alarm system. They also included the location of the electrical components and understood how they work as a system with an input, process and output.