Year 12 Product Design – Biomimicry project
Topic: Biomimicry Project
Year Group: Year 12
Focus: 1. Preparation for the NEA coursework
- Project management
What we will be learning
- This is the third and final module that students will complete before beginning their NEA coursework.
- They will begin it before October half term and will finish between February half term and Easter.
- The overall aim is to prepare students for the NEA coursework that they will begin just before Easter so each of the 5 sections of the coursework is explained and explored in detail.
- The context for the project is a product that must be sold in a well know high street retailer that is inspired by Biomimicry
Why is this important? Where does this link to future/past learning?
- Some students have not studied Product Design prior to year 12 so it is very important that they know what to expect before they begin their coursework. Those that have will be familiar with the different sections but will also need to realise that A level is a big step up from GCSE
- By practicing the relevant research techniques that are needed to be successful in this project students will be more comfortable and knowledgeable about the correct path forward when they begin their NEA coursework around Easter time of Year 12
- This is also an extended project so it will be important for students to mange their project for an extended period of time, taking into account project management requirements which will be essential for their course work in year 13.
How will this topic be assessed? Formative and summative
- This project will be mimic the A level NEA coursework and therefore students work will be marked in a similar way to that i.e. a rank order will be chosen through comparative judgement and then marks for the 5 sections will decide upon using the NEA Product Design mark scheme
- Feedback will be given to students throughout the project also
What make a strong piece of work in this topic, and what can I do to stretch myself in this topic?
- A strong piece of work in this project shows independence in the research phase of the project in which students need to identify a problem and then carry out appropriate primary and secondary research
- A strong piece of work also shows originality and creativity when generating design ideas and puts into practice the skills developed in the first two modules of the year such as model making, sketching and CAD
- To stretch themselves in this module students need to show creativity, independence and resilience when generating their own suggestions for appropriate primary research techniques that are focused on problem solving. Then they must be really active in carrying out these proposals and progressing the project forward
