Teachers notes Research – Introduction to the task Research Introduction – My intention for this unit was to produce a resource that would bring to life the potential of Metal - to allow pupils to see it as an exciting and versatile resistant material. I have chosen to set a design and make task that has proven to be a successful metal project for many years in the school workshop and liven it up with modern and fun twists – animation, shape manipulation etc. What is presented in this unit is a series of PowerPoint presentations and teaching methodologies that we use in our school. We undertake the task in the Autumn term of Year 9, some aspects are set to challenge the most able pupils and would be suited to GCSE level. Hopefully the project will be helpful for anyone wanting to have a look at what someone else is doing – to pick and mix from, a jumble sale of ideas! This unit is not a complete solution to working with metal, rather a project that has developed over time, with experience and one that has proven popular and very successful in recent years – with some stunning outcomes! Please feel free to modify the format to suit your own needs. I hope that you find the presentations useful and interesting.

Teachers notes Research – Introduction to the task Research The first slide sets the outline of the task, the next two slides identify the key four areas of research within the design situation - trendy Welsh craft companies and product analysis, innovative and inspiring designers, organic shapes and types of metals – especially mild steel. Slide 3 is an important summary for all four key areas that will be revisited every time a new area is researched. From this, pupils can clearly see what the expectations of the task and research are. They can also provide teachers with an opportunity to re-cap each section. Slide 4 – defines the difference between primary and secondary research styles.

Teachers notes Research – Welsh craft online companies Research The first slide introduces the key area to be investigated in this series of slides, highlighted by the red rectangle. The second and third slides offer pupils a range of research options for trendy Welsh online craft companies. Each web address is hyperlinked for ease of use. These slides reaffirm the primary and secondary research definitions and possible ideas for research sources. Slide 4 highlights the Adra site - a very helpful and inspiring site giving information on regional designers and makers in Wales.

Teachers notes Research – Product Analysis Research Slide 5 encourages pupils to question the need for products and asks them to think about what consumers want. This as a research task could be extended to a range of other metal products, if it is felt appropriate. Slide 6 offers a sample of existing products available on the market and should be used to spark the question how could they make their design different and original to what already exists? This provides us with an opportunity to briefly introduce the topic of innovation. For the task of product analysis, pupils are asked to critically evaluate a range of tea light and candle holders. They are encouraged to use technical terms. Slide 7 could serve as a starter mind map at the start of the project or as an example of what questions to ask when analysing a product e.g. positive and negative aspects of the product. This format allows pupils to be more critical with their analysis at this level and focuses their understanding of what make a product successful. Not quite sure what u mean here

Teachers notes Research – Innovative and inspiring designers Research The first slide is a duplicate of the list of key areas for research in the introduction section. The key area to be investigated in this series of slides is highlighted by the red rectangle – innovative and inspiring designers. Slide 2 offers an introduction to the importance of Innovation – questioning pupils on what is it and providing opportunities for them to justify and discuss what they think it is important. To fully explain the concept of innovation I have included a sample of inspiring designers and makers who are either Welsh or have a link with Wales. Their work is modern, funky and takes working with metal to an inspirational level. Pupils get the chance to think outside the box and see the full potential of the exciting materials - metal. Researching designers could serve as a research homework or as an extension task.

Teachers notes Research – organic shapes/inspiration Research Slide 1 is a duplicate of the list of key areas for research in the introduction section. The key area to be investigated in this series of slides is highlighted by the red rectangle – organic shapes and inspiration. Slide 2 offers an introduction to what the term organic means and how designers can gain inspiration. Slide 3 provides an example of a Welsh designer who is inspired by organic forms. Ross Lovegrove’s work or website could serve as a lesson/topic starter or research homework/extension task asking pupils. Slides 4 – 6 offer pupils a quiz to recognise the organic inspiration for a range of tea light holders. This is a quick and fun way to get pupils thinking about organic shapes and the potential they have for their designing.

Teachers notes Research – organic shapes/inspiration Research The next two slides demonstrate how images of natural shapes of flowers and plants can inspire a design for a tea light. Drawing natural shapes from photo’s and developing them into quick ideas could serve as a research homework or as an extension task. Slides 9 and 10 offer pupils a modern research opportunity (You Tube), giving examples of the work of leading designers who have developed ideas from nature. Including a website that is both familiar and interesting to pupils will hopefully engage them and offer possible sources of inspiration. These films can be embedded into the PowerPoint presentation.

Teachers notes Research – Biomimicry Research These three slides introduce the fascinating subject of Biomimicry, which can be adapted in many ways to be understood by a range of ages and abilities. The subject mixes Science and Technology and offers an intriguing insight into learning from Nature’s design. From my experience, pupils are wowed and question the ‘copied’ shapes, thus offering an interesting discussion opportunity. Once again, this topic could serve as a lesson/topic starter or research homework/extension task.

Teachers notes Research – metals Research This section about Metals also features in the generic section of the NGfL resource presentations. Slide 2 is a duplicate of the list of key areas for research in the introduction section. The key area to be investigated in this series of slides is highlighted by the red rectangle – types of metal, especially mild steel. Slide 3 introduces metal as one of the most exciting, versatile and important materials to mankind and poses a point for discussion as to whether pupils agree. This could serve as an interesting lesson starter or as a research homework. Slide 4 asks pupils to name 10 objects made of metal that are in close proximity to them - alerting them to the fact that metals are used for many different products and purposes. Some are usually more surprising to them than others! Slide 5 provides a vibrant mood board with shots of many different types of metals and asks pupils to think of words that describe metals and then to name some the illustrations serving as prompts.

Teachers notes Research – metals Research Slide 6 is meant to alert pupils to the many different uses of metals today and the impact it actually has on our lives. Slides 7 – 9 look at each point in turn (raised in Slide 6) - the ways we use metals in the home, in transport and for jewellery. Each slide offers small photographs to answer the questions. This again could be a visual research homework or an extension task. Another possible research task is offered in Slide 10, where pupils are asked to make a digital poster on the influence of metals on our daily lives. A possible way to approach it would be to discuss the range of metals that a student comes into contact with from the start to the end of their day e.g. washing their face to sleeping on a bed with metal springs in the mattress.

Teachers notes Research – metals Research This section of slides looks at the different types, properties and uses of metals. Each slide has been presented in such a way that they could possibly be printed out and used as posters in the classroom. Slide 11 discusses were metals are derived from and then introduce the three categories of metals. Slide provides information on ferrous metals – their properties and common uses. Questions are asked to involve pupils and to ascertain their knowledge of metals. Slide 15 provides information on non-ferrous metals – their properties and common uses and Slide 16 focuses on Alloys. Visual examples have been used on each slide to reinforce uses of metals to the visual learner.

Teachers notes Research – metals Research Slide 17 discusses the many different working properties that metal has, reinforcing it as a versatile and exciting material. Slide 18 offers a quiz to match the mostly likely used metal to each of the products featured in a visual mood board. We have found that pupils respond well to this mix and match type of quiz – learning in an informal way. Slide 19 offers another possible task, to create a digital poster to show how metals have been used in a pupils locality, which will reflect culture and traditions. An examples is provided on screen a a range of Welsh themed images. Slide 20 offers teachers the opportunity to discuss how metals were used in the past and what potential they have in the future e.g. how metal was used for defence and weapons in the past and in peaceful times used for adornments or jewellery; as well as modern day SMART metal technology e.g. SMART wire and Nichrome wire.

Teachers notes Research – metals Research Slides 21 – 23 challenges pupils to a game of odd one out, re-capping visual examples of ferrous, non- ferrous and alloys. Slides 24 – 26 begin to make pupils aware of the sustainability issues related to the use of metals. It draws their attention to the fact that the earth’s crust is disturbed a great deal to obtain metals we take for granted, a question related to amount of soil move for a single ring. A more positive aspect is developed in Slide 25 of the advantages of re-cycling aluminium and slide 26 is a designed to provoke group discussion as what can be recycled – the pictures are not definitive but as a stimulus. Slide 27 – some resource that was found useful again not a definitive list – but some of the sites used in the metal and designer aspects.

Teachers notes Research – Design specification Research Slide 1 provides a brief explanation into how we arrive at a design specification, after completing all the required research. It also impresses the concept that research is key to gaining focus and relevant information to further their ability to design in relation to the set task. Slide 2 is a quick quiz which allows pupils to categorise a range of features that may or may not be successful in the design of a tea light holder. It acts as a quick topic introduction, in a fun format and pupils in my experience have found the activity fun and informative. A interactive whiteboard would be ideal for this activity. Slide 3 provides pupils with a guide in writing an effective design specification, using appropriate and focused headings.