Thurston Community College

Design Technology Curriculum

 Intent of Design Technology

The Design Technology curriculum at Thurston Community College is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, students learn how to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. Students acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, computing and art. Students learn to use current technologies and consider the impact of future technological developments. Students learn to think creatively and intervene to improve the quality of life, solving problems both as individuals and members of a team. Students learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Students are taught to evaluate past and present design technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High quality design technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.

Regardless of gender, ethnic origin or ability, we specifically aim to ensure that all students:

  • Develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
  • Build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users. Students will learn how to use materials and systems that include timber, metals, polymers, textiles, paper and board, mechanisms and electronics
  • Critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others

Our students are prepared for post 16 learning or routes into local providers in manufacturing or trades based employment, ensuring they are able to make a positive contribution to modern creative industries.

Threads of powerful knowledge in Design Technology

Design Technology involves a set of general themes that provide the basis for:

  1. Creative and ethical design: students will learn how to identify, research, explore, solve and communicate design problems and solutions, working in stimulating contexts that provide a range of opportunities and draw on the local ethos, community and wider world, students identify needs and opportunities using annotated sketches and computer-based tools.
  2. SMSC & personal development: students will understand the implications of DT (past and present) and understand the role of DT as a critical factor in human, social, moral, economic, cultural and environmental well-being and development.
  3. Critical thinking: students will test, evaluate and refine their ideas and products against a specification and suggest improvement and refinement strategies.
  4. Technical knowledge and language: students develop a range of qualities such as health and safety awareness, creativity, independence and motivation. Using knowledge, understanding and skills to allow prototype development using a variety of materials via a range of metacognitive techniques.
  5. Making: students will learn how to use specialist tools, techniques, processes, equipment and machinery precisely to realise their design ideas.

 Cultural reading and enrichment in Design Technology

  • Students have the opportunity to engage with current topics and wider reading through the use of regular updates using their Google classrooms.
  • Students are able to explore and access a range of further reading promoted through the use of displays and the school library.
  • Students have the opportunity to engage and collaborate with the wider community and companies through the use of extra and co curricular clubs such as F1 and Teen Tech.

Links to Further Information

 

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