DESIGN, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DET is concerned with designing and engineering products to improve the quality of people’s lives. The subject nurtures pupils towards being creative problem solvers within state of the art facilities. Pupils may opt for either of two different courses, both of which offer the opportunity to explore a wide variety of media, equipment and designing strategies. The qualification will excite and engage learners with contemporary topics covering the breadth of this dynamic and evolving subject. It will create empathetic learners who have the ability to confidently critique products, situations and society in every walk of their lives now and in the future.

Jon Baker Director of Patrick Centre

PRODUCT DESIGN (syllabus 1)

Product Design is focused on consumer products and applications; their analysis in respect of materials, components, and marketability to understand their selection and uses in industrial and commercial practices of product development.

DESIGN ENGINEERING (syllabus 2)

Design Engineering focuses on engineered and electronic products and systems; the analysis of these in respect of function, operation, components and materials, to understand their application and uses in products/systems that have commercial viability.

SCHEME OF ASSESSMENT (both syllabuses)

• Paper 1

Four sets of questions that predominantly cover technical principles within each endorsed title. Pupils are required to: analyse existing products, demonstrate applied mathematical skills and technical knowledge of materials, product functionality, manufacturing processes and techniques, demonstrate their understanding of wider social, moral and environmental issues that impact on the design and manufacturing industries.

• Paper 2: Unseen Challenge

This component has two sections that respond to selected tasks. Section A focuses on applying knowledge, understanding and skills of designing and manufacturing prototypes and products. Section B requires pupils to reflect on their design task in Section A in relation to wider factors/issues from the design principles.

Iola Jones Design, Engineering and Technology Scholar

• Iterative Design Project

The ‘Iterative Design Project’ requires pupils to undertake a substantial design, make and evaluative project centred on the iterative processes of exploration, creation and evaluation. Each pupil identifies a design opportunity or problem from a context of their own choice, and creates a portfolio of evidence in real time through the project to demonstrate their competence.

Pupils may opt for either of two different courses, both of which offer the opportunity to explore a wide variety of media, equipment and designing strategies.