*New* Structures: Helmets
Designing and making a helmet, using strengthening techniques to reinforce the shell structure.
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*New* Structures: Helmets
Unit Outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Create and annotate design plans for a shell structure, identifying shape, material and purpose.
- Explore different shell structures, analyse user needs and make a design plan.
- Use tools to shape and assemble parts of a shell structure.
- Use layering techniques to strengthen a shell structure.
- Choose from materials to best strengthen and stabilise shell structures.
- Evaluate shell structures after testing, considering peer feedback and making improvements.
- Explain how a shell structure can be strengthened and stiffened.
Three pre-made papier-mâché helmets are required for Lesson 3: Strengthening techniques. Watch the Pupil video: Making a shell structure and follow the steps to create shell structures showing one, two and three layers of papier-mâché to compare during the lesson.
Suggested prior learning
Structures: Constructing a castle
Get startedLessons
Lesson 1: Exploring shell structures
- To explore shell structures and design my own.
Lesson 2: Making papier-mâché shells
- To make the shell of a helmet.
Lesson 3: Strengthening techniques
- To assess how a helmet structure needs to be strengthened.
Lesson 4: Strengthening shell structures
- To strengthen the helmet shell structure.
Lesson 5: Evaluating shell structures
- To evaluate the effectiveness of strengthening the helmet.
Key skills
Key knowledge
Related content
Unit resources

Knowledge organiser – D&T Y4: Structures: Helmets
Aimed at pupils, two pages which give key facts and definitions from the unit ‘Structures: Helmets’.

Vocabulary display – D&T Y4: Structures: Helmets
A display version of the vocabulary from the unit 'Structures: Helmets'.
Cross-curricular opportunities
Science: Living things and their habitats.
RSE: Personal safety.
Art.
English: Spoken language.
British values: Mutual respect.