Design and Technologies / Year 5 and 6 / Processes and production skills / Generating and designing

Curriculum content descriptions

generate, iterate and communicate design ideas, decisions and processes using technical terms and graphical representation techniques, including using digital tools (AC9TDE6P02)

Elaborations
  • generating a range of design ideas for products, services or environments using prior knowledge, skills and research, for example a security system for a community garden, a product made from a repurposed item of clothing, a permaculture vegetable patch or a healthy meal for a family picnic
  • analysing, modifying and developing design ideas to enhance and improve the sustainability of the product, service, environment or system, for example analysing eco-friendly alternatives to non-recyclable decorations for a community event or replacing paper-based newsletters with online formats
  • representing and communicating design ideas using modelling and drawing standards including the use of digital tools, for example including scale, symbols and codes in plans and diagrams; using pictorial maps and aerial views; and using digital mapping applications or infographics to present research and ideas to others
  • developing and using models to iterate and improve design ideas, for example using modelling applications to design the layout and features of an enclosure for a chosen animal
  • experimenting with materials, tools and equipment to refine design decisions and processes, for example considering the selection of materials and joining techniques to suit the purpose of a product, such as a pop-up book, a fabric bag or an electric circuit
  • considering the social values and ethics of clients when designing an environment, for example interviewing users of a space or seeking permission to use designs or images created by others including respect of cultural and intellectual property
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
ScOT terms

Technical drawing,  Modelling,  Design thinking,  Computer graphics

Interactive

Chicken farming in the living world: Stage 3

Chickens are fascinating animals and provide students with an interesting subject matter to discuss the many aspects of our living world. This interactive course for students explores the question 'Why is it important for food and/or fibre to be produced sustainably?' and comprises a series of modules and supporting videos. ...

Online

Design dilemma

This series of lessons aims to develop awareness of the needs of diverse commuters on our public transport system. Students investigate the challenges involved in getting on and off public transport for users with additional needs, for example commuters in wheelchairs. They work collaboratively in teams to investigate possible ...

Interactive

Waste and materials – sustainability action process (Years 3–6)

This resource guides students through an extended school-based or local investigation focussed on waste and materials 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 ...

Text

Engineering from farm to table lesson

In this lesson students are invited to become food and fibre engineers to research how wheat, the largest agricultural crop in Australia, gets from the farm to the table. Students take an in-depth look at the wheat industry in Australia exploring how wheat is grown, harvested, processed, utilised, and exported. Students ...

Text

I am an inventor lesson

In this lesson, students explore the life, work and times of Rube Goldberg. The lesson uses Rube Goldberg’s work to teach students about simple machines, how they function and their design principles. Working in groups, the students then design and create a Rube Goldberg machine that can complete a simple task. Students ...

Interactive

Level Up Minecraft

This unit of work involves in-world Minecraft explorations and in-class activity. It is intended for students in regional areas to know and understand the issues that surround safety on and around rail lines. Students consider why there are safety issues, how technical systems at active crossings can go a long way to making ...

Online

Cross age making a robot

This lesson sequence is a cross-age project that can be used for students in year 5/6 in collaboration with students from years 1-2. In this project, students collaborate on a code for an unplugged robot. They design, test and modify the robot and create instruction manuals.

Online

Programming for Water Management

This unit of work introduces students to the potential of digital technologies to manage and conserve water resources in Australian agriculture. It assumes that students and teachers have little or no prior programming experience and provides a series of introductory activities to build students' understanding of the basic ...

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

Investigating technologies in agriculture

This is a teacher resource containing a series of inquiry teaching sequences about the role that technologies play in the production of food and fibre in Australia. It contains material to assist the planning, implementing and assessing a study of a range of primary industries and the innovative methods and equipment they ...

Online

MoneySmart: How teachers can use MoneySmart

This MoneySmart web page is designed to enable teachers to get the most out of ASIC's MoneySmart Teaching program and resources. It guides teachers on where to find information on being a MoneySmart teacher, professional development for teachers, primary and secondary teaching resources, and tips and tools to help with ...