Design and technologies / Year 3 and 4 / Design and Technologies Knowledge and Understanding

Curriculum content descriptions

Investigate the suitability of materials, systems, components, tools and equipment for a range of purposes (ACTDEK013)

Elaborations
  • conducting experiments and tests to understand the properties of materials, for example strength, durability, warmth, elasticity
  • investigating the mass production of products to ensure standardisation, for example students setting up a production line to produce a product for a school fete
  • investigating the suitability of technologies − materials, systems, components, tools and equipment − when designing and making a product, service or environment, for example a toy for a young child, a composting system for household waste management, raised garden beds for improved access, weaving nets, bags or baskets
  • comparing how different components interrelate and complement each other in a finished designed solution, for example investigating and playing with joining processes for a variety of materials in the production of common products
  • investigating local constructed environments to compare how buildings were constructed in the past and in the present and noting innovations
  • analysing products, services and constructed environments from a range of technologies contexts with consideration of possible innovative solutions and impacts on the local community and the sustainability of its environment
General capabilities
  • Numeracy Numeracy
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
ScOT terms

Materials,  Fibres (Materials),  Engineering,  Tools

Video

For the Juniors: Boats made from different materials

See how boats can be made from wood, fibreglass and aluminium. Watch film of some Aboriginal men making a bark canoe. See how a special mould is used to make boats made from fibreglass. Find out why aluminium is a useful metal for making boats.

Video

The innovator

This is a short animated film highlights the versatility of wool as a natural fibre. The wordless film journeys through the ages and offers a unique view on how wool has been used - and continues - to clothe humans. The video provides an humourous stimulus resource to highlight the range of properties of wool.

Video

Sam the Lamb: Does wool burn?

This short entertaining video, narrated by ‘Sam the Lamb’ and 'Professors' Madeleine and Daisy test which fabrics burn easily and which fabrics are the most flame resistant. Sam and his science team test the flammability of a range of synthetic and natural fabrics including polyester, polar fleece, cotton and wool.

Interactive

The bridge challenge

This interactive challenges students to select the most appropriate bridge design for four different sites including considering size, shape and building materials. The interactive is supported with information on the basics of bridge design.

Video

For the Juniors: First the base, then the frame

Come and see Hugo's house getting built. Find out how the concrete foundations are laid. What comes next? Carpenters build a wooden frame. Spot the tools used to build the house. How is each tool used?

Interactive

Kitchen gardens – sustainability action process (Years 3–6)

This resource guides students through an extended school-based or local investigation focussed on kitchen gardens using the five-step sustainability action process. The resource supports the investigation of a real-world issue or problem. Students develop and implement a chosen sustainability action and then evaluate and ...

Interactive

Thermal comfort – sustainability action process (Years 3–6)

This thermal comfort learning resource will guide students through an extended school based investigation. Students will develop and implement a chosen sustainability action and then evaluate and reflect on their success and their learning.

Online

Creating a worm farm

Food and gardening scraps thrown into household bins becomes landfill. When food waste breaks down in landfill, it emits greenhouse gases including methane gas which traps heat in our atmosphere. Diverting this organic waste from landfill and into a worm farm or composting system is great for your garden and for our planet. ...