Resistant Materials

What will I study at Key stage 4?

This GCSE option is based on the practical ‘design and make’ skills. The area of study has a ‘practical’ base. It offers wide-ranging opportunities to the student who prefers a ‘hands-on’ technology.

The syllabus is concerned with the activity of designing and making which is delivered through wood, metal and plastics.
Examination papers will only address these three main materials.

Coursework will consist of one project. This will include a design folder and a realisation of their design. Students will be required to demonstrate their ability to produce an extended, integrated ‘design and make’ project using the materials specified in the syllabus.

The assessment will include one written paper and the submission of a project (folder and practical piece) which represents about 40-50 hours of supervised time. The presentation must show an interaction of their designing and making skills, with knowledge and understanding, to design and make a product. In addition, students must address environmental, social and economic implications, industrial practices and the application of systems and control

The application of health and safety underpins the whole course. Students must be able to recognise hazards in products, activities and environments, assessing risks to themselves and others and take appropriate action to overcome these risks.

Assessment breakdown:

Examination 40%
Coursework 60% (Design folder 60% Practical 40%)

Results will be reported on an eight point grade scale from A* to G. A GCSE will be awarded to those students who reach the required standard for the tier of assessment for which they are entered. There are two tiers; ‘foundation’ and ‘higher’. Students will be entered for the appropriate tier based on teacher assessment.

Year 10 Project Outlines.

Vacuum Formed Clocks Acrylics Photo Frames
Graphics Boxes
Wood Joints CAD CAM name plaques
Spinning Toys Ergonomics

Year 11 Coursework Brief.

Situation
A school/nursery is looking for toys that have an educational element to them. They have asked you to produce a range of designs, which can be manufactured using some standardised components. Toys that move or can be disassembled are of particular interest to them. They would also prefer you to use materials that have minimal impact on the environment such as those from sustainable timber sources. They have requested that a working model is constructed and given to the school/nursery to evaluate and subsequently use with their pupils.

Design Brief
Design and make a toy suitable for younger children to play with. The toy should be suitable for a school or nursery and needs to be strong and safe for a range of ages to use. The toy should also be designed to that it could be produced in quantity using production techniques which are commonly used in industry.

What assessments will I do?

Each unit has a number of assignments, which you are required to complete to produce a portfolio of evidence. There is no exam for this particular course it is entirely coursework based. However, it must be noted that it requires students to work consistently across the two years of the course, leaving work until the end is not a successful strategy!

Why should I do Resistant Materials?

Careers in Technology ?

• Interior Designer
• Teacher
• Media Careers
• Product Designer
• Engineer
• Electronics Engineer
• Fashion Designer
• Catering
• Food Technologist
• Cartoonist
• Newspapers
• Illustrator
• Graphic Designer
• Hotel Management
• Architect