Extended Project (Design and Technology)

Please note this is a practical EPQ. Students will be given the opportunity to study other forms of EPQ during Year 12.

This must be studied alongside three other A Level qualifications.

This is a good opportunity for providing evidence for your UCAS personal statement for university entrance. It is particularly aimed at those who may want to go onto study engineering or a creative technology based course after Sixth Form.

What you will learn?

This is a unique course which is tailored precisely to the student’s individual needs. Assessment is based on an extended project. Students choose and manage their own project deciding which skills they must improve or acquire as well as the technical knowledge needed to realise it. The project is assessed by looking at how well the chosen area has been researched, managed and then presented to a small group.

How you will learn?

You will be required to work very independently during both class and private study time with the support and guidance of your teacher.

The D& T EPQ is for one year.

Activities based around skills such as designing and manufacture.

• Completion of Project including:

• Analysis, research and specifications

• Planning

• Design concepts

• Development of ideas using sketching, modelling and Computer Aided Design

• Manufacture of prototype using traditional methods and Computer Aided Manufacture

• Evaluation and Presentation of concept.

During the course students will be guided through the different stages and will have inputs on:

• Design and Development skills

• CAD and CAM

• Manufacturing Techniques specific to their chosen brief

• How to present to an audience

• How to research and analyse information effectively

• How to evaluate against a brief, specification and considering clients

Assessment: Non-Examined Assessment, 100% of grade.

AO1 Managing: How to organise yourself and others to achieve your design brief. Interviewing, data searches, experiments and setting yourself goals to achieve.

AO2 Using resources: Learning new skills (depending on your project could be programming, machining, CAD/CAM etc.) seeking out specialist advice and materials.

AO3 Developing and realising: Delivering a prototype or finished piece of work ready to present to your audience (a small group)

AO4 Reviewing your work: Judging your own work and progress

College minimum entry requirements.

Where Next?

The ‘project’ is an enabling course that can facilitate study in any subject direction. The course as, structured here, is intended for those particularly wanting to pursue a career in engineering, product design, architecture, electronics as well as those who want to supplement other course choices with a creative subject to broaden their Y12 learning experience.

Course Outline

1 Year 1

Activities based around skills such as designing and manufacture.

• Completion of Project including:

• Analysis, research and specifications

• Planning

• Design concepts

• Development of ideas using sketching, modelling and Computer Aided Design

• Manufacture of prototype using traditional methods and Computer Aided Manufacture

• Evaluation and Presentation of concept.

During the course students will be guided through the different stages and will have inputs on:

• Design and Development skills

• CAD and CAM

• Manufacturing Techniques specific to their chosen brief

• How to present to an audience

• How to research and analyse information effectively

• How to evaluate against a brief, specification and considering clients