Structures: Playground pioneers
Investigating how playground structures are designed and reinforced through using triangulation and computer-aided design.
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Structures: Playground pioneers
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Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Explain the term constraints and why some are more important than others.
- Use sketches with labels to communicate ideas.
- Use 3D CAD software to communicate ideas.
- Modify a design to make it stronger and more stable using knowledge of triangulation and reinforcing.
- Select appropriate materials and tools for cutting and joining.
- Make a plan and equipment list for a project.
- Reinforce and stabilise a prototype of a structure.
- Apply a quality finish in a neat way and explain why the finish is important.
- Critically evaluate the success of a structure within constraints and suggest alternative, more sustainable, materials.
- Explain design decisions.
Suggested prior learning
Structure: Bridges
Get startedLessons
Lesson 1: Playground design challenge
Lesson 2: Designing structures with Tinkercad
Lesson 3: Making a prototype of a structure
Lesson 4: Finishing a prototype of a structure
Lesson 5: Prototype evaluation
Key skills
Key knowledge
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)
Full equipment list for the subject
Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected
- A selection of Lollipop sticks
- Wood square rod 10mm x 10mm ×8
- A selection of Paper straws
- A selection of Wooden skewers
- Foil roll (20m x 280mm) ×30
- A ball of string
- A selection of Pegs
- Junior hacksaw Adult supervision required. ×8
- A selection of Sandpaper
- PVA glue ×1
- A selection of Sticky tack
- Masking tape ×1
- Envelopes 9
- Poster paint
- Cardboard
Equipment list
Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected
- A selection of Lollipop sticks
- Wood square rod 10mm x 10mm ×8
- A selection of Paper straws
- A selection of Wooden skewers
- Foil roll (20m x 280mm) ×30
- A ball of string
- A selection of Pegs
- Junior hacksaw Adult supervision required. ×8
- A selection of Sandpaper
- PVA glue ×1
- A selection of Sticky tack
- Masking tape ×1
- Envelopes 9
- Poster paint
- Cardboard
Related content
Unit resources
Knowledge organiser – D&T Y6: Structures: Playground pioneers
Aimed at pupils, a single page giving key facts and definitions from the unit ‘Playground pioneers’.
Vocabulary display – D&T Y6: Playground pioneers
A display version of the vocabulary from the unit 'Playground pioneers’.
Cross-curricular opportunities
Build on the learning
This unit will be built on at Key stage 3.Popular content
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