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Testing methods to evaluate helmet strength
This Design and technology video introduces the pupils to testing their papier-mâché helmets to see their strength and effectiveness. It demonstrates different methods, beginning with the press test to check for movement, followed by the load test to see how much weight the helmet can hold. The pupils then assess whether the helmet sits securely on a model head during the wobble test and finally observe how well it protects against impact in the drop test. These activities help the children evaluate their designs, understand how strengthening techniques affect performance and reflect on how helmets keep people safe in real life.
This video is part of the Year 4, Structures: Helmets unit. It gives pupils practical ways to test and improve their shell structures, linking their classroom models to the real-world standards that protective equipment must meet.
