KS3 & KS4 design and technology curriculum

Knowledge of integrating electronic and control systems into products is essential for effective design. By integrating more variables, this unit builds upon the previous unit in Year 9, 'Functional prototypes: wearable technology'. Computer-aided design is key learning in this unit, which develops the knowledge from the Year 7 'Prototypes with mechanisms: promotional displays' unit by including electronics, control, and mechanisms. This lays the foundations for pupils to design integrated systems within subsequent iterative design units and the Non-Examined Assessment.

1. Systems approach to design
2. Input components
3. LEDs
4. Buzzers
5. Motors
6. Data logging
7. Electronic calculations
8. Virtual and physical testing of systems
9. Fusion fundamentals
10. Create, modify and constrain 2D sketches in Fusion
11. 3D model using Extrude and the Timeline in Fusion
12. Design for additive manufacturing with Fusion
13. Physical materials and appearances in Fusion
14. Assembly modelling in Fusion
15. Technical drawings in Fusion
16. Assemble, test and refine systems

• Pupils can identify and combine electronic components to create circuits.
• Pupils can program a Microcontroller to create a control system.
• Pupils can calculate and convert different units.
• Pupils can identify and integrate variables into a control system.
• Pupils can identify the desirable material properties for a design.
• Pupils can identify manufacturing process opportunities and limitations.