*New* Mechanical cars
Making and designing mechanical cars that use different methods of movement.
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- Subjects >
- Design and technology >
- Lower key stage 2 >
- Year 4 >
- Mechanical systems >
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Option 1: *New* Mechanical cars
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Describe key design improvements in the history of the automobile.
- Measure and compare the distance travelled by different mechanical cars.
- Choose and use appropriate tools and materials to make mechanical cars.
- Draw exploded diagrams and annotated sketches of my different mechanical cars.
- Use a problem statement to identify the design criteria.
- Assess the product against the design criteria.
- Conduct market research into existing products.
- Provide specific feedback and adjust my design to incorporate customer feedback.
Suggested prior learning
*New* Mechanical systems: Pneumatic toys
Get startedLessons
Lesson 1: Prototype one: Inclined plane
- To build a simple prototype car chassis.
Lesson 2: Prototype two: Slingshot car
- To build a prototype of a sustainable slingshot car chassis.
Lesson 3: Prototype three: Wind-up car
- To build a prototype of a durable slingshot car chassis.
Lesson 4: Mechanical toy car kit: Designing
- To design a mechanised toy car.
Lesson 5: Mechanical toy car kit: Making and evaluating
- To make a mechanical toy car from a kit.
Related content
Resources
Unit resources

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.'.

Design and technology
Vocabulary display: Mechanical cars
A display version of the key vocabulary from the Mechanical cars unit.
Cross-curricular opportunities
Science: Forces and magnets, Uses of everyday materials.
Mathematics: Measurement, Number – fractions.
British values: Mutual respect, democracy.
Build on the learning
Making a pop-up book
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