Doodle Wall

The DT Doodle Wall went live this week and was a big hit with pupils.

The first challenge was to design how watches will look in twenty years time.

Later in the week Mr Mistry's AS group used to generate ideas for each other's Product Studies.

The doodle wall was an old whiteboard that the school was throwing out. In DT we always try to re-use whatever we can! 

10B Art Deco Jewellery

10B put the finishing touches to their Art Deco jewellery today. Here are their finished products.

Iterative Design with Year 9

Year 9 Product Designers have been hard at work this week developing ideas using card models. The aim was to deal with a small improvement on each model. These little changes add up to a significantly improved ideas!

Teamwork rules!

The AS Product Designers learned how useful collaboration was this week.

Working in small groups they worked together to generate rough ideas for each others products. They all agreed that is was much easier than coming up with ideas on their own. The results were pages and pages of post it note ideas that will help them on the next stage of the Product Study coursework.

Pewter Casting with year 10

Year 10 Product Designers have been casting Art Deco inspired jewellery this week. They have spent the last few weeks researching Art Deco, Developing their ideas using CAD and this week they Laser cut the moulds required for casting.

Almost there...

Year 11 students were getting close to finishing their game boxes this week. They were busy waxing and making their playing pieces.

Cup Carriers with year 9

To introduce them to Product Design and the concept of Innovation, the year 9s took part in their first mini challenge. Could they design and model a cup carrier for Starbucks that could be used in one hand?

This is what they got up to:

GCSE Innovation Challenge

A selection of some of the models made in this years Challenge. The theme was outdoor activities.

Activities Week - Zombie Make-up

Zombie make-up was a hit again this year on Try Something New day.

Groups spent an hour learning how to create the classic zombie look using latex, face paints and fake blood.

Activities Week - Design Challenge

A group of pupils spent Tuesday working on this years Design Challenge.

They had to work in teams to design a self powered vehicle capable of travelling up a slight gradient.

L6 trip to Huddersfield University

This years AS Product Designers took time out to visit Huddersfield University's Design Degree Show this afternoon.

Amongst some of products on show was a water saving toilet, an aerodynamic cycle carrier and a clever device to aid the elderly when carrying food and drink, which was designed by ex-pupil Kelly Clover who has just completed her BSc in Product Design. Well done Kelly!

The products on show will hopefully inspire this years students as they embark on their major A2 project.

Maybe we'll visit their degree shows in the future!

Rotary Technology Tournament

Three teams of students from Silcoates this week took part in the annual Rotary Technology Tournament at the John Charles Centre in Leeds. Teams competed in the Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced categories.Y9 - Ben Donson, Eve Howarth, Lauren Stocker and Cameron White and entered the Foundation Task. Y11 - Zara Dunford, Sophie Gerrard Smith, Geroge Heppinstall and Chloe Humphrey entered the Intermediate Task, and L6th Harry Annetts, Ben Bullas and Victoria Flintoff entered the Advanced Task.

 

The challenge was to design, manufacture and test, a vehicle that crossed over a distance of approximately 1m running on a suspended cable.  The vehicle had to transport a rescue package and off load it at the far side of the test jig.  Not only did the vehicle have to travel across the test jig it also had to make a return journey powered by an electric motor.  The vehicle had to be started, stopped and put into reverse using a switch to control the electrical supply to motor.  In addition, a logo promoting the ‘Rotary Shelter Box Scheme’ had to be attached to the vehicle.  

 

All three teams were highly praised for their design portfolios and complimented for their excellent conduct throughout the day. Most impressively of all the Year 11 team won in the Intermediate category, and were presented their certificates and the winning trophy by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Mr Michael Fox. Also in attendance was the Lord Mayor of Leeds.

Many congratulations to everyone who took part, but particularly to Zara, Sophie, George and Chloe for their victory!