Please see the bottom of the page for the rolling programme and skills progression

Being an Engineer

Seeker of solutions: creative, resilient, resourceful

Intent

At Stickland’s Primary School, we believe that children learn best when they are actively involved in the learning process. Throughout the design process a variety of materials and methods are used, including construction equipment, plastics, wood, food, fabrics and mechanical or electrical components. As engineers, the children will develop their knowledge of these materials and equipment as well as their understanding of how to use them within the design and making process. 

What is the point of being an Engineer?

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.

The aims of being an Engineer are:

• develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
• build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make prototypes and products for a wide range of users
• critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others
• understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook. 

 

 Implementation

Through our enquiry approach, we encourage the children to be creative and use their imagination to create innovative products and systems. As designers, the children go on a journey of investigating, designing, making, modifying and evaluating. By becoming engineers, the children are provided with opportunities for independence and resilience as the children work to meet briefs or solve problems set by themselves or the teacher. In this way, children gain a meaningful understanding of what it is to design a product, what technology is and how it can be used in their world.

Some examples of design and technology projects have included: making WWI trench stew, designing and making and evaluations sandwiches, robots, Canopic jars, Mayan masks and puppet theatres.

Design and Technology also gives children the opportunity to collaborate, to share ideas and to understand what it means to work collegiately towards a common goal. For example, when Woodpecker Class designed and made bridges in groups, they understood that to be successful they must all assign appropriate roles and communicate and work together effectively in order to ensure that they produced a bridge which would hold the greatest weight. 

Impact

• Children will have clear enjoyment and confidence in design and technology that they will then apply to other areas of the curriculum.
• Children will ultimately know more, remember more and understand more about Design Technology.  They will also demonstrate a better know how when using tools or skills in other areas of the curriculum and in opportunities out of school.
• The large majority of children will achieve age related expectations in Design Technology.
• As designers, children will develop skills and attributes they can use beyond school and into adulthood.