Year 8

Designing and Making a simple Mechanical Toy

Overview : In this module of work students design and make a mechanical toy, based around a simple cam and follower mechanism.

They begin by studying a simple child's toy to identify a cam and follower in use and analyze its operation.

By making a simple frame for their toy, students gain experience of working accurately in wood using a range of hand and machine tools. They are also be introduced to the use of templates and jigs.

Students learn about different joining techniques and make decisions about which to use based upon our work in class.

Students are then asked to design and make additional parts for their toy to produce their own ideas.

After completing this unit of work students should understand:

	The major classifications of materials.
	That materials have different physical properties which effects how they are used and worked.
	Some of the specific properties and behaviour of wood.
	Why templates and jigs are used.
	The advantages and disadvantages of a range of common joints.
	How a mechanism can be used to convert and transmit motion

After completing this unit of work students should be able to:

Use the correct equipment to measure and mark out material accurately.

Use a range of tools to cut and shape accurately and safely.

Choose the most suitable joining technique for your toy.

Work sensibly and safely in the workshop at all times.

Assemble and apply a finish to the toy neatly.

Design and make a cam to produce the correct follower motion

Design and make a quality product.

Designing and Making a Steady Hand Game

Overview : In this module of work students are asked to investigate a number of simple electronic circuits that could be used to judge the skill of people using a steady hand game.

They will look again at simple systems. They might use switches, an electronic latch or possibly a counting circuit that could be used to process the signal produced when the handle touches the frame to make a buzzer sound or an LED light at the output.

They will then be expected to use one of these circuits to design a steady hand game to their own specification.

The circuit will be built on a printed circuit board or PCB.

Students will learn how to use computer simulation and CAD packages to develop the skills necessary to design and manufacture their own PCB.

After completing this unit of work students should understand:

	That Systems have inputs, processors and outputs;
	How a latch works in an electronic system;
	What a transducer is and what it does.
	Some of the properties needed for the materials used in their project;
	What a PCB is and how it is designed and made
	How to build and test circuits using Crocodile Clips software.

After completing this unit of work students should be able to:

Write a Design Brief, and produce a specification;

Draw annotated sketches to explain their ideas;

Model circuits and ideas for PCB's;

Choose from a range of circuits, the most suitable for their game;

Identify the electronic components used in this project;

Identify some of the tools and equipment used in this project

Design and Make a simple steady hand game to meet a specification.

DESIGNING and MAKING STATIONERY STORAGE

Overview :

This module of work takes the form of a design and make assignment requiring the students to design and make a 3D graphic product.

Students will be asked to respond to a customer brief to design a concept package for a range of recycled stationery. Working from this initial context of recycled materials, students will investigate the aesthetic or styles associated with recycling and decide upon the colour, materials, imagery and a logo for their package.

The form of the package will be developed from a basic shape and students will have the opportunity to use a range of CAD software to help them develop this.

Practical skills and modelling techniques will be researched and practiced through a focused task to produce a number of small card objects.

The final package will then be produced to include a suitable logogram and relevant information.

After successful completion of the product the pupils produce an orthographic projection that could be used as a working drawing for the mass production of their prototype.