Entry Requirements: A minimum grade 6 in GCSE Design & Technology or an interview to demonstrate competence and commitment. The freehand drawing of ideas will always be of paramount importance, however, a high level of graphical skill is not essential. | Exam Board: OCR
Design & Technology: Product Design
With one of the best equipped departments of its kind in the county we are very proud to offer the opportunity to study Design & Technology: Product Design. We are a high achieving department with an excellent track record. Design students will have a deep passion for manufacture and modelling of their own projects using a variety of methods. The course will build upon your current experience and skillset to include the following processes:
Aluminium Sand casting
Jewellery casting in silver
Machining with metal late and mills
Wood turning operations
MIG welding and brazing
Resing printing and fused deposition modelling
Fibreglassing
Electronics and control systems
Course Overview
Product Design covers everything you love about products that you engage with in every element of your life. We teach you how to design and develop products through extensive iterative problem solving. You will progress as a leader managing your own project work that will lead to a working prototype that you have made. You will liaise with outside agencies to seek feedback and advice on your design work to further improve functionality. Prototypes will be manufactured following CAD work, hand machining and casting. Electronic functionality is achievable through microcontrollers with a range of inputs and outputs that truly bring your products to life. Design & Technology is an exciting, fun and practical way to study that applies technical skills and knowledge. The A level covers all aspects of Science, Technology Engineering and Maths with an extensive range of related opportunities at higher education.
Entry Requirements
With a GCSE in Design & Technology: It is expected that students have achieved a minimum of a grade 6 at GCSE level.
Without a GCSE in Design & Technology: Studying the GCSE is not a requirement for the A level but students would be expected to show a flair for sketching and making via an interview.
Year 1
Students complete 2 challenging mini projects. These projects are designed to replicate elements of the assessed coursework that follow these practice projects. Students cover theory elements alongside practical lessons focusing on the following broad topics:
Exploring design requirements
The study and breakdown of existing products
A consideration of wider issues related to design
How to communicate design work through sketching and CAD
Materials choices in products
Technical exploration of mechanical and electronic systems
Industry manufacturing methods
Viability and testing of design solutions
Health and Safety considerations
Year 2
The non-examined section (coursework) starts in the February half term of Year 12 and runs through to the March of Year 13. This is worth 50% of the qualification and is recorded in a Powerpoint portfolio. Candidates identify a design problem from a context of their choice and create a portfolio of real time evidence. The focus is on iterative design of explore, create and evaluate.
Exam 1: Principles of Product Design 26.7%, 80 marks, 1 hour 30 minutes. Candidates analyse existing products, manufacturing processes and demonstrate their understanding of social, moral and environmental issues
Exam 2: Problem solving in Product Design 23.3%, 70 marks, 1 hour 45 minutes. Candidates apply their knowledge of designing and manufacturing prototypes and products. They solve design problems, evaluate situations and the suitability of design solutions.
Contact
Mr K Coxshall B.Eng k.coxshall@jcg.sch.je
