Backwell School Sixth Form Course Guide

Year 13 Design and Make Project (NEA)

Substantial design and make task, incorporating practical application of technical principles, designing and making principles and specialist knowledge.

50% June of Year 12 to March of Year 13

Evidence will be provided in a digital A3 presentation design portfolio, any prototypes created as part of the process and the working final prototype.

This major task will demonstrate the candidate’s ability to: Take a concept idea though the iterative design process. Design and make a high-quality product which can be tested and evaluated by his/her target market/client. Apply relevant knowledge and understanding, including key skills, to a range of technological activities, e.g. testing of materials/systems/mock-ups. Relate work to relevant industrial and commercial practices. Communicate to relevant audiences their ideas, understanding and decision-making processes. Assessing the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of technical principles, along with their ability to analyse and evaluate the wider issues in Design and Technology (e.g. moral, social, environmental concerns; global manufacturing; new technologies, etc.). A mixture of short answer, extended response questions and DT related maths questions. Written Examination (2 hours 30 minutes). 120 marks The exam assesses the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the designing and making process including product analysis and commercial manufacture. A mixture of short answer, extended response questions and DT related maths questions. Written Examination (1 hours 30 minutes). 80 marks Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) (approx. 80 hours). 100 marks. This unit is marked by the teacher and moderated by AQA.

30% June of Year 13

Paper 1: Technical Principles (Exam)

20% June of Year 13

Paper 2: Design and Making Principles (Exam)

Costs associated with this course A Hodder AQA AS/A Level Design Technology: Product Design (ISBN: 9781510414082) textbook is recommended at £20 (ebook) or £40 (physical copy). In Year 12 £20 is charged to cover the cost of materials. In Year 13 £20 is charged to cover the cost of materials. Students may also need to purchase the materials they need to manufacture their final project in the NEA. This can vary depending on the project chosen by the student. Career Links Design skills and the ability to visualise new ideas can be useful in many career paths such as architecture, product design, arts crafts and design, graphic design, construction, engineering (various types), aerospace, maintenance and manufacturing and many more. There are further higher education courses available to degree level in Design and Technology: Product Design and other Design and Technology associated subjects, e.g. Architecture and Transport Design, leading to jobs in associated fields. For more information please contact Ms R Lavelle

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