Designing a vehicle
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can design a vehicle and create the chassis.
Key learning points
- A design specification can help a designer to design and make a vehicle for a specific use.
- Right-angled card triangles (triangulation method) can be used to make a frame or joint more stable and stronger.
- Different joining methods can be used to secure a joint.
Keywords
Vehicle - a machine with wheels used for transporting people or goods
Design - the process of creating a plan for a product or structure
Joint - a point at which two parts of a structure are joined together
Reinforce - to strengthen or support an object or structure
Body - the main structure of a vehicle that holds its components
Common misconception
All vehicles are made from the same materials.
Discuss the diversity of materials used in vehicle construction and why different vehicles require different materials.
Teacher tip
Encourage the use of recycleable materials for the chassis and to reinforce the chassis.
Equipment
Specifications, worksheet, pencil, recyclable packaging, pre-cut cardboard triangles/cardboard, scissors, ruler,sticky tack,holepunch,cardboard & corrugated card, glue stick,PVA,range of tapes,staples
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.True or false? If you put different sized wheels on the same axle, the vehicle will wobble.
Q2.Axles need to be __________ to each other.
Q3.Which of these materials could you use to make an axle and axle holder on a cardboard vehicle?
Q4.Which of the following could you use as axle holders for a cardboard vehicle?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match these words their meaning:
Q2.True or false? Design specifications help designers create objects that people want.
Q3.__________ means to make something stronger and more stable.
Q4.Which of these are good ways to join card?
To help you plan your 2 design and technology lesson on: Designing a vehicle, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 design and technology lesson on: Designing a vehicle, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 design and technology lessons from the Wheels and axles: vehicles unit, dive into the full primary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.