| Overview | In this course students will be challenged with developing their creativity, capability and entrepreneurial skills; to apply knowledge and understanding to a range of technical activities and develop critical thinking and collaborative skills. |
| Examination board | The Sixth Form Resistant Materials course at Queen Elizabeth’s follows the EDEXCEL specification. Full details of the specification and additional support materials can be accessed here. |
Unit 1 - Portfolio of Creative Skills Examination to be taken in June of Year 12 | In this unit, students are given the opportunity to develop their creative, technical and practical skills through a series of product investigation, design and manufacturing activities. Students will produce one portfolio with three distinct sections which will demonstrate their flair when investigating, designing and making product(s). Students can use the same product for the designing and making exercise, but this unit offers the opportunity to choose different products for the three distinct sections as students are not being asked to perform one large design and make exercise but three smaller and more focussed tasks which build up to provide a detailed portfolio of their skills. A resistant material product is defined as a fully functioning product that matches its specification. It must be manufactures full size from resistant materials (woods, metals and plastics). |
Unit 2 - Design & Technology in Practice Examination to be taken in June of Year 12 | In this unit, students will develop a knowledge and understanding of a wide range of materials and processes used in the field of Design and Technology. Students will learn about industrial and commercial practices and the importance of quality checks and the health and safety issues that have to be considered at all times. The unit content is divided into four sections, with each section outlining the specific knowledge and understanding required by the student. Specific materials and processes are named and these are the only examples with which students need to be familiar for this examination. |
Unit 3 - Designing for the Future Examination to be taken in June of Year 13 | In this unit, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of a range of modern design and manufacturing practices and contemporary design issues. This unit is based on pupils having a good working knowledge of the use of ICT and systems and control technology in the design and manufacture of products. They must also be aware of the important contributions of designers from the past which may provide inspiration for future design. The unit content is divided into four sections, with each section outlining the specific knowledge and understanding required by the student. Specific examples are given and these are the only ones with which students need to be familiar for this examination. |
Unit 4 - Commercial Design Coursework Project Submitted at Easter of Year 13 | In this unit, students are given the opportunity are given the opportunity to apply the skills they have acquired and developed throughout the course of study. In this unit, students are required to design and make a product of their choice. This should be a fully functioning product that matches its specification. It must be manufactured to full size using resistant materials. In this unit, students are encouraged to be creative and adventurous in their work. There are no limits to project selection beyond the time and resources available and the appropriateness of selection in meeting individual students’ potential. In order to reach high attainment levels, students must adopt a commercial design approach to their work, reflecting how a professional designer might deal with a design problem and its resolution. The choice of problem should have a real commercial use, in that it should be useful to a wider range of users beyond an individual, unless it has specifically been commissioned as a ‘one off’. A key feature of this unit is for students to consider issues relating to sustainability and the impact their design may have on the environment. Sustainability issues could include materials production and selection, manufacturing processes, use of the products and its disposal / recycling. |
| Course support & enrichment at QE | Lunchtime and after school workshops intended to help students with 1:1 time with their tutors. Engineering Education Scheme. |
| Progression from A-level Design & Technology | Pathways from Resistant Materials: - aerospace engineering
- architecture
- mechanical engineering
- transport design and engineering
- structural engineering
- civil engineering
- medical engineering
- furniture design
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Recommended wider reading This is particularly relevant for those considering further study beyond A-level | - Making It: Manufacturing Techniques for Product Design by Chris Lefteri
- Developing Subject Knowledge in Design and Technology: Developing Planning and Communicating Ideas by Gwyneth Owen-Jackson
- The Design Experience: The Role of Design and Designers in the 21st Century by Rachel Cooper and Mike Press
- Sustainable Industrial Design and Waste Management: Cradle-to-Cradle for Sustainable Development by Salah El Haggar
- What Is Product Design? (Essential Design Handbooks) by Laura Slack
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