Refreshed scheme (2026)

Mechanical systems: Mechanical cars

Exploring mechanical systems by building and testing prototype cars to identify effective design features.

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Lessons

Refreshed

Lesson 1: Prototype one: Inclined plane

Refreshed

Lesson 2: Prototype two: Slingshot car

Refreshed

Lesson 3: Prototype three: Wind-up car

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Lesson 4: Mechanical toy car kit: Designing

Refreshed

Lesson 5: Mechanical toy car kit: Making and evaluating

Key skills

Design

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Key knowledge

Design

To know:

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Key vocabulary

bearing

chassis

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Equipment list

Equipment needed across all lessons in this unit.

This list does not include equipment which is usually readily available in the classroom (e.g pencils, A4 paper etc)

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Full equipment list for the subject

Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected

  • A selection of Lolly sticks
  • Plastic wheels with central holes ×8
  • Wooden wheels with central holes ×8
  • Wooden dowel ×8
  • Plastic tubing ×8
  • A selection of Wooden pegs
  • A selection of Plastic pegs
  • A selection of Plastic straws
  • A selection of Paper straws
  • A selection of Rubber bands
  • Sandwich bags
  • Scissors right- and left-handed options recommended. ×30
  • A selection of Sticky tack
  • Masking tape ×1
  • Hot glue gun Adult supervision required - hot surface. ×1
  • Hot glue sticks As needed
  • Glue sticks ×30
  • Sticky notes
  • Tape measures

    ×15
  • Pencils ×30
  • Highlighters ×30
  • Permanent markers ×30
  • Devices with internet access ×15
  • Devices to take photos ×8
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Related content

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Design and technology

Knowledge organiser: D&T – Y4 Mechanical cars

Aimed at pupils, a single page which gives key facts and definitions from the unit 'Option 1: *New* Mechanical cars.'.

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Design and technology

Vocabulary display: Mechanical cars

A display version of the key vocabulary from the Mechanical cars unit.

Subject resources

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