Design and Technology (Engineering)

Course summary

COMPONENT 1: PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN ENGINEERING EXAMINATION The exam requires students to: • Analyse existing products. • Demonstrate their technical knowledge of materials, product functionality, manufacturing processes, and techniques. • Demonstrate their understanding of wider social, moral, and environmental issues that impact the design and manufacturing industries. COMPONENT 2: PROBLEM-SOLVING IN DESIGN ENGINEERING The exam requires students to: • Apply their knowledge, understanding, and skills in designing and manufacturing prototypes and products. • Demonstrate their higher thinking skills to solve problems and evaluate situations and the suitability of design solutions. COMPONENT 3: ITERATIVE DESIGN PROJECT (NON-EXAMINED ASSESSMENT, NEA) The Iterative Design Project undertaken by students will have a significant focus on the functional requirements and/ or system of a product. This substantial project will have a mechanical or electronic bias and will focus on a functional rather than aesthetic outcome. Students will identify an opportunity or problem from a context of their choice and create a portfolio of evidence leading to an outcome. Students will undertake the Iterative Design Project independently and will progress through the following principles: • AO1 - Explore: Identify, investigate, and outline design possibilities to address needs and wants. • AO2 - Create: Design and make prototypes that are fit for purpose. • AO3 - Evaluate: Analyse and evaluate.