005 Let's Learn & #ThinkDoMAKE (digital resource)
Let's Learn focus:  Forces & stresses, levers & mechanisms, mixing materials
#ThinkDoMAKE activity:  Mini memo board
 
Digital resource designed for use in schools. This is an editable digital download resource. 
 
ABOUT
This resource is designed for use in schools as part of D&T curriculum but it may also be suitable for other curriculum areas, as well as to anyone interested in designing and making generally. 
The resource is a mix of teacher notes and information and activity handouts that are ready to be used in the classroom straight away. Additional links to free resources that can be downloaded to support learning are also included.
The resource is designed to be used to deliver D&T theory content through a practical approach and includes learning resources and a short practical activity led by the learning covered in the resource.  
The resource is not set out as a scheme of learning but includes information that can be used as a starting point for teachers to produce their own scheme. 
The resource is not designed for any particular age group or time slot as this will depend on what elements of the resource are used and how it is delivered. It aims to offer flexible starting points for different contexts e.g. focused practical task, retrieval activities, one off lesson, module of work, revision activity, after school club, enterprise activity, off timetable day. 
 
NOTE:
Tools and materials used in the activities have been chosen based on the learning opportunities they offer. Details on sourcing these tools and materials are provided. Activities can be adapted to use alternative tools and materials.
Activities use a screw hole punch, pop rivet gun and eyelet tool and learning resources are provided for these tools.
Lightweight materials are used in the activities across a range of material classifications e.g. polypropylene sheet, 0.07mm aluminium foil, card, Decoflex veneer, non-woven textile. These materials can be replaced with alternative lightweight materials.
 
LEARNING COVERED IN THE RESOURCE
This resource has been planned with learning in mind and this leads the learning journey in the resource. 
 
Below are examples of learning opportunties when doing this activity. Actual learning covered will depend on how the resource is delivered & how the teacher develops and personalises the resource content. Not all learning listed below is covered in detail in the resource but it's been planned with the potential for this broader learning to be introduced.
 
Materials
The focus of the activity is on mixing materials to create a product with each material having a role in the product’s success.
Types of materials & their properties & finishes e.g. the example activity uses Decoflex (a flexible paper backed maple veneer) & a thermoforming polyester non-woven textile, zinc plated mild steel (bulldog clip) with spring steel opener, zinc coated spring steel (split ring), pop rivet (aluminium head zinc plated mandrel), brass eyelet with nickel plating, cast iron eyelet maker (details on the materials are given in the resource).
Links can be made to the sustainability of materials & processes used.
Creating a laminate material, including how this adds strength to the material.
Levers, forces and stresses used in the equipment
Ergonomics (linked to use of equipment e.g. handles)
Suggestions on how the resource might be developed further to include other learning is also included. 
 
We map our resources against the learning listed in our various curriculum planning documents some of which can be downloaded here. See our other resources to support curriculum planning. 
 
#ThinkDoMAKE ACTIVITY
This resource has been planned with learning as the starting point and the example outcome is the result of this learning journey. 
The activity outline includes experimental work with a variety of lightweight materials across a range of material classifications  in order to develop skills when using the pop rivet gun, punch tool and eyelet tool.
The example outcome is a mini memo board made from lightweight materials.
The experimental work and example outcome requires no previous making skills and is suitable for delivery by specialists and non specialists, including in a non specialist classroom. 
 
FILE FORMAT
The download is an editable PowerPoint document and PowerPoint is needed to be able to read & edit the resource. The large file size for the resource pack may not be suitable for downloading to some mobile devices. 
 
File is for personal use & can't be reproduced, used or sold commercially (including resources developed from the original)
 
AS WELL AS RESOURCES IN OUR SHOP THERE ARE ALSO LOTS OF FREE RESOURCES & SUPPORT FOR D&T TEACHERS ON OUR BOYD EDUCATION WEBSITE.