DESIGN TECHNOLOGY PRODUCT DESIGN

What will I study?

GCSE Design technology is an exciting and creative course for those who enjoy the challenge of designing and making using a range of materials. In Year 10 you will study a number of mini projects in order to develop and refine your designing and making skills. You will start building your knowledge for the written paper which will be sat in Year 11. In Year 11 you will concentrate on an extended controlled assessment project, this will involve the development of a design folio and a manufactured product.

How will I be assessed?

The qualification will be graded on a nine-point scale: 1 to 9 where 9 is the best grade. The assessment is weighted equally, 50% is given to the NEA component and 50% to the exam assessed component.

Written Exam: 50% of total 100 marks

This is an externally assessed written paper and will be taken towards the end of Year 11. There are 3 sections to the paper:

Section A: Core technical principles

20 marks

This will be a mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions on areas such as new and emerging technologies, modern and smart materials, materials and their working properties and using a systems approach to designing.

Section B: Specialist technical principles

30 marks

This section will be composed of several short answer questions and one extended response question. It will test knowledge of areas such as forces and stresses, scales of production, social, environmental footprint and specialist manufacture techniques.

Optional Subject

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/ design-and-technology/gcse/design-and-technology-8552 Link

Section C: Designing and making principles

50 marks.

This section will be composed of short answer and extended response questions. It will feature a 12 mark design question, test knowledge and understanding in areas including investigation, design strategies, tolerance, material management and economic challenge.

Non exam assessment: 50% of total

100 marks

In June Year 10 you will start work on your controlled assessment brief. This is an extended design and make activity where you will develop a product from the initial concept right the way through to manufacture and evaluation. The ability to work independently and use assessment criteria for guidance is essential.

Which other subjects compliment DT Materials and what courses could it progress to?

• At post 16 students can progress to study an A Level in Product Design. Students may also choose to study level 3 Engineering.

• Design Technology, Maths and Physics are a good foundation for a career in Engineering.

• Mathematics - calculating dimensions, use of scale/proportion/data.

• Science - gaining an understanding for materials and existing technologies.

• ICT - use of digital imaging and presenting software and hardware applications.

• Art - understanding of aesthetics and application of sketching/ideation.

Design Technology could lead to creative careers in the design industry such as industrial, furniture, interior, graphic or computer aided design, teaching and many other areas.

Career link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lLSEDVSAp4