Key Stage 3

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KS3 Design and Technology at NUAST

The Key Stage 3 curriculum has been designed to prepare our students for the rigor of Key Stage 4 and eventually Post 16.

We aim to introduce and develop the skills that students will need to become competent designers and engineers, able to solve problems and work independently to produce creative solutions to realistic design problems.

Year 7

In Year 7 students have one lesson a week and will cover four different projects throughout the year designed to give a comprehensive the students an introduction to Design Technology and Engineering.

Projects include:

• Engineers Tool Kit – An introduction to the basic skills that an engineer will need.
• Light it up – Using 2d CAD software design an LED torch using the Laser cutter.
• Canyon Crossing – Design and build a bridge learning about STEM and structures
• Sketch it, Draw it, Share it – Develop their drawing skills, learning isometric, orthographic and perspective drawing.

Year 8

In year 8 students have one lesson a week and will cover 4 exciting projects each designed to build on the skills from in year 7.

Projects include:

• Sensor project - A development of electronics where students will learn about Input transducers and Printed Circuit Boards.
• Pewter Casting - Pewter casting project where students will produce a zipper or charm of their design.
• User Centre Design - Here students will learn to design a product for a particular client.
• Lamp - Learn more about workshop techniques by build a lamp using wood joints and concrete!

Year 9

In year 9 students will combine all their knowledge from the previous years to complete 4 projects designed to prepare them for Key Stage 4.

Projects include:

• Control it - Students learn about Micro-controllers and start their programming journey using an Arduino to produce a Pelican crossing.
• Iterative design - start developing their design techniques with this iterative design project. Design a souvenir that can be given away for free at an event or festival.
• 3D CAD - Students will be introduced to an industrial standard 3D CAD software (Fushion 360) where they will design and 3D print a torch case and fit a pre-made PCB.
• Making it in metal - The final part of the KS3 workshop development skills. Learn how to use the workshop tools to design and make folded metal animals. Design your own learn the techniques used to make them come to life.