Resistant Materials Technology GCSE

Course description:

This course is concerned with the design and making of products made from wood, metals and plastics. Students will be involved with market research and analysis of exciting products, the development of their own ideas for new products, manufacturing with a wide variety of materials using both hand and machine tools, testing and evaluating prototypes. Along with practical making activities students should expect to work with computers, write design proposals, evaluations and theory work. Drawing skills are developed as a creative tool and method of communication. ICT including CAD (Computer Aided Design) and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture) form an integral part of this course.

Course structure:

Year 10 involves a number of short projects to broaden students’ experience of making techniques and materials. There are also units of work on graphic communication and presentation, product analysis and research techniques. Understanding of subject theory is also developed. Year 11 is dominated by the production of an exam coursework project and design folder. There is additional study of theory work leading to the exams in June.

Homework:

This will mostly be related to theory work, but in Year 11 course project work will also have to be developed. Research, design and product development are regular tasks set as the project develops.

Assessment, weighting and timings of assessments:

Coursework project 60% (an extended Design Task that is started in the summer term of
Year 10 and continues throughout Year 11)
Exams 40% (2 at 20% each, based on the theory elements of the course)

Books, equipment, materials and resources recommended / needed:

All students must have an A3 size folder to transport paper of this size (flat, dry and clean) to and from home. All students must have their own graphic materials and equipment, including coloured pencils and graphical pens, ruler, set-squares and compass sets. These will be needed throughout the course for homework and coursework tasks.

Opportunities for study beyond Key Stage 4:

AS/A2 level Design Technology or AS/A2 Graphics at Blatch 6. Many courses are available at university or further education level, including 3D design in a variety of materials and on a range of areas of study.

Career opportunities supported by this subject:

Almost everything involving problem solving but anything related to designing or making in the manufacturing or construction industries. Career opportunities exist in product design, furniture or jewellery design, building and construction work, engineering and tool-making, boat and vehicle repair and maintenance to name but a few!