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Year 4

Plan and design a data logger case

I can produce sketches that contain detailed annotations.

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New
New
Year 4

Plan and design a data logger case

I can produce sketches that contain detailed annotations.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A data logger can collect data electronically.
  2. A micro:bit has switches that can record data.
  3. Group discussions provide solutions to design specifications.
  4. Annotations on sketches can explain how a design works.

Keywords

  • Tally - a way to collect information

  • Data loggers - an electronic device that can collect information

  • Micro:bit - a microcontroller that can be programmed to do different tasks

  • Annotations - notes added to diagrams

  • Data - information such as numbers

Common misconception

Tally charts can only be completed on paper.

Data loggers can record tally charts electronically.


To help you plan your year 4 design and technology lesson on: Plan and design a data logger case, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Have micro:bits available for pupils to look at so they can consider the size and feel.
Teacher tip

Equipment

micro:bits, sketching pencils, paper or sketch books

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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is a tally chart?
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q2.
Which time had the smallest total in this tally chart?
An image in a quiz
9.00am
Correct answer: 12.00pm
3.00pm
Q3.
Why do designers sketch?
To make the final design look messy.
Correct answer: To show their ideas and try different options.
To make their drawings look perfect.
To avoid using computers.
Q4.
What is the total for 3.00pm
An image in a quiz
32
33
34
Correct answer: 35
Q5.
What is the main reason for doing environmental traffic surveys?
To count how many cars pass by.
Correct answer: To see how traffic affects the environment.
To make sure all drivers follow the rules.
To develop our counting skills.
Q6.
Why do we design in groups?
To make sure one person does all the work.
Correct answer: To get different ideas and solve problems together.
To avoid using any technology.
To make the project take longer.

Exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Order the most popular colours from highest to lowest.
An image in a quiz
1 - Yellow
2 - Blue
3 - Red
4 - Green
Q2.
How many ideas should we sketch before deciding upon a final design?
none
one
Correct answer: many
Q3.
What types of buttons do micro:bits have?
Correct answer: push
pull
Correct answer: touch
slide
Q4.
What does annotate mean?
to draw pictures with no details
Correct answer: to add notes or labels to explain something
to erase parts of a drawing
to copy someone else’s work
Q5.
Why do we annotate sketches?
Correct answer: to explain ideas and provide extra detail
to make the sketches more colourful
to draw bigger or smaller pictures