Fairground DT

#TheCompleteSeries6lessons

With opportunities to include programmable models, CAD and electrical circuits, this scheme will challenge the children to use their previous knowledge as they build prototypes and stable structures to hold their moving ride.

Each lesson in this scheme comes with a detailed lesson plan, PDF lesson slides and printable resources to support your class.

#Lesson1InvestigatingRides

The first lesson in this series will introduce your class to various fairground rides. Have the children seen or been on these rides before? Do they know how they work or what components are used to join them together? They will investigate how fairground rides rotate before looking at electrical circuits with motors.

Challenge your class to sketch and investigate different rides and everyday items which use a motor to create a rotational movement

This lesson comes with a detailed lesson plan, PDF lesson input slides and accompanying printable resources.

#Lesson2PulleysandBelts

Explore how pulleys and belts can be used to manipulate rotational movements that could be used when making a fairground ride model. Your class will have the opportunity to investigate how different-sized pulleys and belt configurations can affect the movements created by the follower pulley.

Alternatively, give your class the chance to explore how they can program a motor to create different movements and find appropriate speeds for their fairground model.

This lesson comes with a detailed lesson plan, differentiated activity ideas and PDF lesson slides to guide your class's investigations into pulleys and belts.

#Lesson3Prototypes

Challenge your class to explore some different ways they can create the stable structures to use in their final design for a fairground ride. By making a prototype, the children can gather ideas and experience to inform their final designs.

This lesson comes with a detailed lesson plan, PDF lesson input slides and accompanying printable resources.

#Lesson4DesigningFairgroundRides

This lesson lets your class take what they learnt as they made prototypes in the last lesson and apply it to their final designs. They will need to think carefully about the electrical circuit they will need for their ride, the materials they will need and any joining methods they might use as they create their final model.

As an alternative design activity, the children could use CAD software to map out the shape, size and decorative design of their model.

This lesson pack comes with a detailed lesson plan, differentiated activity ideas as well as PDF lesson slides and printable supporting resources.

#Lesson5BuildingFairgroundRides

Time to apply all they have learnt and planned for their electric rotating fairground ride. In this lesson the children are challenged to work safely as they create their ride.

This lesson pack comes with a lesson plan, and PDF lesson slides which will support you as you set your class off to make their ride models.

#Lesson6EvaluatingFairgroundRides

Once children have finished their fairground ride, this final lesson challenges your class to reflect and evaluate their creations. Children will be asked a series of questions designed to support them in their evaluations.

This lesson pack comes complete with a detailed lesson plan, slides for input and differentiated resources.

Free Overview (Medium-Term Plan)

Download a free overview to support your teaching of this scheme of work.

Free Assessment Grid

Download a free, editable assessment grid to support your teaching of this scheme of work.

Curriculum Objectives covered

• use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups
• generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
• investigate and analyse a range of existing products
• evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work
• apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures
• understand and use mechanical systems in their products [for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages]
• understand and use electrical systems in their products [for example, series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors]
• apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products