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Lesson 3 of 6
  • Year 3

Create a maquette of a robot

I can create a maquette of a robot.

Lesson 3 of 6
New
New
  • Year 3

Create a maquette of a robot

I can create a maquette of a robot.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A maquette is a small three-dimensional model used by artists to plan and develop their sculptures.
  2. Identify and use different joining techniques such as tying, slotting or gluing to build a strong and stable maquette.

Keywords

  • Maquette - is a small, rough model of a sculpture used for planning

  • Sculpture - a three-dimensional piece of art made by shaping or combining materials

  • Armature - a skeleton frame that gives the basic shape and holds a maquette together

Common misconception

A maquette is a finished sculpture, not a model for planning a design.

Remind pupils that building a maquette is an opportunity to test different elements of their design, allowing them to identify areas for improvement. A maquette does not need to be perfect as its purpose is to resolve issues before the final design.


To help you plan your year 3 art and design lesson on: Create a maquette of a robot, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage pupils to experiment with different joining techniques before committing to their final maquette structure. Provide a range of recyclable materials and demonstrate methods such as tying, slotting, and gluing to help them find the most effective way to connect parts securely.
Teacher tip

Equipment

A range of recyclable materials (including fabric) and glue

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Each robot has a different __________, like cleaning, helping people, or building things.

Correct answer: purpose
metal
hobby

Q2.
What can robots do?

Correct answer: Clean oceans
Correct answer: Plant trees
Feel emotions
Correct answer: Sort recyclable materials

Q3.
__________ means capable of continuing or being kept up over time.

Purpose
Recyclable materials
Correct answer: Sustainability

Q4.
Jean-Michel Basquiat depicted __________ using bold brushstrokes, bright colours, and abstract forms.

computers
trees
waste
Correct answer: robots

Q5.
What should you annotate on your mood board?

What size you think your artwork will be.
How long it will take to make your artwork.
Correct answer: Why you find certain images inspiring.

Q6.
Eileen Agar’s ‘Robotics’ (1978) represents robots by blending organic and __________ forms with vibrant colours and textures

modern
Correct answer: mechanical
soft

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a maquette?

A piece of paper with a drawing of a sculpture.
Correct answer: A small, rough model of a sculpture used for planning.
A photo of a sculpture used for planning.

Q2.
A __________ is a three-dimensional piece of art made by shaping or combining materials.

drawing
painting
Correct answer: sculpture

Q3.
What should you think about when designing a robot?

Correct answer: The robot’s purpose.
Correct answer: How its features will help.
Production time.
What type of music the robot will play.

Q4.
How can robots help keep the world more sustainable?

Correct answer: By reducing waste.
By using more plastic in everything they do.
Correct answer: By recycling materials.
Correct answer: By protecting the environment.

Q5.
Which of the following is not a joining technique sculptors use to secure a structure:

Slotting
Gluing
Stacking
Correct answer: Shading

Q6.
Match the word to the definition:

Correct Answer:Robot,A machine capable of carrying out complex actions automatically

A machine capable of carrying out complex actions automatically

Correct Answer:Mood board,A visual tool that gathers images, materials and ideas for inspiration

A visual tool that gathers images, materials and ideas for inspiration

Correct Answer:Purpose,A reason for doing something

A reason for doing something