Resistant Materials

· Resistant Materials Technology GCSE exam in 2018 Specification code: 4560 - AQA

Design and Technology/GCSE Exams from: June 2019/Specification code: 8552 - Edexcel

 

 Autumn Year 10

Introduction to Resistant Materials, processes and tools and machinery.

Students will be required to use general practical skills to design and make a range of shorter ’Focused Practical Tasks’. This will include preparing wood and plastics to make products. Students will have to show that they can use all tools, machinery and equipment safely with regard to the Health and safety requirements of the workshop.

Pupils will continue to build on their skills in wood and plastic and will be introduced to some basic metalworking skills.

 

Students will begin to adapt some of the practical task given. They will write specifications for their products and evaluate them; giving consideration to the user and suggesting further modifications

 Spring Year 10

Introduction to the design process

During this half term students will be working on a more substantial product following relevant areas of the design process. Projects will be predominantly made from wood and plastic and build on the skills learnt in the first term. Pupils will begin to learn about sketching and rendering techniques and computer aided design in order to communicate design ideas.

Introduction to a complete Design and Make project

 

Pupils will be given a design and make project to complete in preparation for their coursework. They will produce a folder of well-presented work that will inform their practical work. Pupils will investigate metals, timber, plastics, composites, smart and nanomaterials and begin to select appropriate materials for their products.

 

 Summer Year 10

Introduction to mechanical systems and forces

Students will investigate movement and model an automaton to show the movements they have investigated and will explore different forces in everyday products.

Course work task

 

Students will choose the project they want to make from a list issued by the exam board. they will undertake research and begin to  prepare coursework sheets based on their chosen topic.The coursework sheets will lead to a final practical product in year 11.

How is the course assessed

Key skills are assessed throughout the year in year 1. In the 2nd year of the course a Mock exam takes place in December and the theory work and practical product are assessed in March through teacher assessment and are then moderated by an external moderator. A 2 hour exam takes place in July.

 

In the new specification for 2018 the theory work will include closer focus on :

New and emerging technologies

Enterprise/crowdfunding

Sustainability

Fossil fuels

Nuclear power

Renewable energy

Energy storage systems

Smart materials

Focus practical tasks will be assessed at the end of each project

Skills will be assessed at the end of the project

Design and make tasks will be assessed at the end of the project

A short assessment of theory work will take place in the summer term

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 Autumn/Spring - Year 11

Pupils prepare a folder of work for their chosen project. The folder includes research on existing products, materials, processes, design ideas, developed designs, modeling, planning, records of making and evaluation and testing. The pupils also complete their practical work ready for assessment. 

 
 
 

 

 Summer - Year 11

Pupils practice exam questions and revise for exams

 

How is the course assessed

Teacher assesses the final project in March and the moderator assess the work in May

2 hour GCSE examination takes place

(40% for the examination in 2018)

(50% for the 2019 examination)

Section A – Core technical principles (20 marks)

A mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions assessing a breadth of technical knowledge and understanding.

Section B – Specialist technical principles (30 marks)

Several short answer questions (2–5 marks) and one extended response to assess a more in depth knowledge of technical principles.

Section C – Designing and making principles (50 marks)

 

A mixture of short answer and extended response questions.

 

 

 

 How can you support your child at home

Encourage them to participate in any DIY tasks to help boost their skill level and to consolidate learning.

Help them to investigate the way general household products/furniture is joined together.

Watch design/recycling/craft programs on TV, as this will give a wider understanding of processes and materials used in ‘real’ products and the aesthetics of a good design

 

Help them to evaluate their own ideas and products by encouraging them to comment on the good points and weaknesses in products around the home and ask them about what improvements they could make