Design and Technology - Specification

Subject(s): Product design | Age: 11-14 | Type: Activity sheet | Publication Year: 2010 to date

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In this session, students start to plan the creation of their team’s car by writing a specification for its design.

Before starting the brief for their own car, students are encouraged to use the “Guess the function” activity from F1 in schools Curriculum Resource to relate function and form. From this starting point they will be led, through discussion, to an understanding of what the design process will involve, taking account of the F1 in Schools challenge regulations which will need to be incorporated into their design.

Students will be made aware of the need for two aerofoils, sidepods and the need for aerodynamic efficiency in their car.

The brief could for example specify the materials to be used, the power source, the method of design, e.g. using a CAD program and mode of manufacture. Students should have access to the starter pack or components for building the car to get an idea of the size and materials to be used, they should also ensure that their design conveys their team’s ethos and vision. This latter aspect is further developed in the citizenship session (not included in this collection).

URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx45u

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