Design and Technology in Duckpuddle Class

In Duckpuddle Class, we complete two Design and Technology projects each year. We use the '3 S approach', Something, for Someone, in a Situation, to design functional products that have a clear purpose and intended user. Through a variety of creative and practical activities we try out our ideas, solve problems, develop new skills and evaluate our work. We make our own design booklets to record this process and celebrate the products we have created.

In KS1 we undertake the following projects:

Fruit Smoothies

During our topic ‘Food Glorious Food’, we design, make and evaluate our own fruit smoothies to serve at a school event to parents. We taste and explore existing products, discover where fruit comes from and learn how to use utensils and prepare food safety. After tasting a variety of delicious fruit, we then choose our own ingredients to create our final smoothies. We also make sure we have lots of time to taste and evaluate our yummy products!

Fabric Bunting

During this topic we design, make and evaluate fabric bunting to help the children of Therfield preschool learn how to count up to 20. Each class member uses the computer to design their own number flag.  We then learn how to select and join fabrics using stapling, glueing and sewing. Our completed flags are joined together to create the finished bunting.

Moving Toys

During our topic on ‘Toys’, we design and make a moving toy to engage the children of Honeypot class. Through practical, ‘hands on’ activities we explore different mechanisms and practise the skills of cutting, assembling and joining materials. After making our final toys we present them to their intended users for them to explore, try out and evaluate.

Castles

During our topic on ‘Fairy tales’ we design and make a new castle for the giant. Each castle must have a working mechanism to raise and lower the drawbridge and help stop Jack from entering again! We learn how to make mock-ups to test out our ideas as well as how to measure, cut and score a variety of materials. At the end of the project, we share our final castles with a friend and take turns describing how each mechanism works.