Lesson 1: Exploring stability
Testing the stability of 3D shapes using a scientific approach.
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Learning objective
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Before the lesson
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Lesson plan
Before starting this unit, you might want to check that children can recall that:
A client is a person I am designing for.
Design criteria are a list of points to ensure the product meets the client's needs and wants.
They could have previous knowledge of the following, but this unit reinforces that:
A structure is something that has been made and put together.
The shape of materials can be changed to improve the strength and stiffness of structures.
Cylinders are a strong type of structure.
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Tom has been a teacher for seven years and, as Head of Upper School at The Belham Primary School, he has a keen interest in young people and good causes. For the past seventeen years he has volunteered with various youth organisations ranging from scouting to a narrow boat charity. At the end of a long day, Tom loves nothing more than to go for a run or a cycle and can often be found on his window seat with a good book, watching the world go by. He spends the school holidays wisely, visiting ski resorts or travelling to warmer climes to eat alfresco in the sunshine.
Among many D&T lessons, Tom has created a textiles project for pupils that allows them to make their own hand puppets while learning a range of technical skills.
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