Design and technologies / Foundation to Year 2 / Design and Technologies Knowledge and Understanding

Curriculum content descriptions

Explore the characteristics and properties of materials and components that are used to produce designed solutions (ACTDEK004)

Elaborations
  • exploring designed solutions to meet individual, family and community needs with a focus on materials, for example fabrics used for sports clothing, soft fall for play spaces
  • developing new meanings for objects and action during play, for example exploring how household packaging can be used to represent other objects
  • exploring systems used in the classroom or community for creatively dealing with problems and needs, for example storage systems for equipment, traffic system flow for drop and go zones, the use of hoists and ramps to facilitate access
  • exploring facilities in local environments for accessibility and environmental impact, for example location of bike tracks and sporting fields using digital maps to view local area
  • exploring materials, components, tools and equipment through play to discover potential uses when making products or modelling services and environments, for example when designing and making clothes, toys and shelters
  • experimenting with techniques to combine or alter materials to satisfy a function
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
ScOT terms

Materials,  Fibres (Materials)

Video

Different paper plane designs

How many different paper plane designs are there? Lots! Watch as Dylan Parker, paper plane expert, demonstrates some of his favourites. Notice the way the different shapes and features of the planes cause them to move through the air in different ways. Which one do you like the most? Why not have a go at making something similar?

Online

Do we need a train at Chullora? – Early Stage 1

This inquiry-based unit of work was created, trialled and peer reviewed as part of a professional learning program in inquiry-based learning for school teachers. The professional learning courses were part of a pilot partnership between the NSW Government’s Sydney Metro transport agency and Western Sydney University.

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.

Video

For the Juniors: Getting your boat into shape!

A ball of plasticine sinks. Could you change its shape to make it float? Watch this clip to see some plasticine being made into different shapes. Find out which shape floats. Take a look at the shape of a motor boat. Why is it pointy at the front?

Video

Thinking about the design process

Watch as UNSW student and Blusat member William Frohlich talks about the design process. What are some of the important things to consider before you start to make a project? Why does William say it's important to be flexible with your designs? Design your own obstacle course for your family using objects from around your ...

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Material world – Stage 1

In this lesson sequence, students investigate how properties of materials determine their use. Students identify a range of natural materials used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples for a specific cultural purpose. There is an optional ‘maker hour’ for students to produce, implement, test and evaluate a shelter ...

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Our magnificent thing

This module focuses on repurposing rubbish, giving students the opportunity to consider sustainability and the impact of their lifestyle choices on the environment. Based on the fiction picture book, The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires, students are encouraged to repurpose recyclable items to create their own most ...

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Waste warriors

This module focuses on developing knowledge, skills, and values about waste as students consider the impact of lifestyle choices on the environment and how they can contribute to more sustainable patterns of living. The module includes a comprehensive teacher guide, curriculum links, materials lists, design process guides ...

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Little Red Hen's robot friend

This module focuses on the impact of technology, particularly robots, on our everyday lives. Based on the folktale The Little Red Hen, students are encouraged to create their own automated solution to help the Little Red Hen carry her wheat. The module includes a comprehensive teacher guide, curriculum links, materials ...

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Transportation Innovation

In this activity, students participate in a design challenge to use natural materials to design and create a tool that can be used to transport an object between two places. The activity provides students with an opportunity to explore how natural materials can be changed and combined to solve problems (Year 2) and use ...

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Material Sort

In this series of activities, students examine different materials, exploring how they can be described and categorised based on their observable properties. Students observe and describe different materials, then compare, contrast and categorise materials based on their observable properties.