The importance of Design and technology
In Design and technology pupils combine practical and technological skills with creative thinking to design and make products which meet human needs. They learn to use current technologies and consider the impact of future technological developments. They think creatively and intervene to improve the quality of life, solving problems as individuals and members of a team.
Working in stimulating contexts that provide a range of learning opportunities and draw on the local ethos, community and wider world, pupils identify needs and opportunities. They respond with ideas and products challenging expectations where appropriate. They combine practical and intellectual skills with an understanding of aesthetic, technical, cultural, health, social, emotional, economic, industrial and environmental issues. As they do they evaluate present and past design and technology, and its uses and effects. Through design and technology pupils develop confidence in using practical skills and become discriminating users of products. They apply their creative thinking and learn to innovate.
(This is an extract from The National Curriculum 2007)
Design and technology at DESC:
Students undertake design projects in food technology, textile technology and graphic products. We provide students with opportunities to engage in design and make assignments in different and progressively more complex contents including for purposes and uses beyond the classroom.
Year 7
Students are introduced to Design and technology though the elements of food technology and graphic products. The focus of the food technology allows students to be introduced to the design process through basic food preparation skills, health and safety and designing and modification of original recipes. Students complete a design and make activity which requires them to modify a dish to meet the demands of a design brief and specification. Graphic products introduce students to formal drawing techniques, Desktop publishing and Adobe Photoshop through a range of design and make activities. Textile technology introduces students to pattern making, manufacture and surface pattern to design and make a drawstring bag.
Year 8
Students consolidate their understanding of the design process through food technology, textile technology and graphic products. Food technology focuses on food around the world with the emphasis on building on the food preparation skills learnt in year 7. Students learn the importance of the planning element of the design process and sensory appraisal. Students complete a design and make activity in which they are required to design a dish meeting the demands of the design brief and specification. Graphic products use the theme of sustainable development to give students an opportunity to develop their design skills through a range of media. Textile technology uses the theme of “Get organised” incorporating batik, tie dye and transfer printing to enable students to design and make a hanging storage unit.
Year 9
Students begin the year with a focus on the evaluation element of the design process. Students prepare a range of dishes using the theme of special dietary needs. They look at a range of smart materials such as probiotics and meat analogues used in the food technology industry. Students complete a design and make activity in which they are required to follow the design process to design and make a dish to meet the demands of the design brief and specification. During graphic products students complete an egg box challenge in which students are taught marker pen illustration, 3D modeling and Computer aided design. This looks at designing both internal and external packaging to meet the demands of the design brief and specification. Textile technology allows students to design and make a 3D children’s book exploring the use of a range of materials.
Edexcel GCSE in Design and Technology: Food Technology (2FT01)
GCSE Food technology begins with application and understanding of nutrition, primary and secondary food, preservation and processing, product manufacture and analysing products. Students undertake a range of ‘design and make’ activities in which they are introduced to a number of practical skills to consolidate understanding. Term two allows students gain an understanding of the challenges of menu planning, portion control and HACCP through a series of short projects such as the “Apprentice” challenge and the “B Block Bistro.” In Term 3 students complete a mini “Creative design and make” activity following the design process in order to meet the demands of the design brief.
During Year 11 students complete a “Creative design and make” 60% of their final grade. Finally students work on targeted revision of all aspects of the GCSE course both within the classroom and at home.
Edexcel GCE (AS/A2) Design and Technology: Food Technology
AS/A2 Food Technology develops knowledge and understanding of materials, components and ingredients, industrial and commercial practice, health and safety and products/outcome and applications with focus on achieving quality outcomes. The GCE specification requires students to communicate design ideas and information, evaluate, design, plan and make.
Students undertake the following course components:
Year 12
Unit 1: Portfolio of creative skills – requiring students to produce one portfolio with three distinct sections:
- Product investigation
- Product design
- Product manufacture.
Unit 2: Design and Technology in practice – the assessment of this unit is through a 1 hour 30 minute examination paper set and marked by Edexcel.
Year 13
Unit 3: Food Products, Nutrition and Product Development - the assessment of this unit is through a 2 hour examination paper set and marked by Edexcel.
Unit 4: Commercial Design – In this unit students are given the opportunity to apply the skills they have acquired and developed through this course of study to design and make a food product of their choice. This unit results in the development of a manufactured product supported by a design folder.