Year 4: Design Technology

This week Year 4 completed their Design Technology unit focused on the digital world. Their task was to plan, design, make, and reflect on their own mindful moments timers. The task followed the theme of mindfulness and the children discussed the range of mindfulness products on the market.

In the planning process, the children took some time to practice mindfulness with colouring and breathing activities. We reflected on the benefits of these activities and discussed how they could be adapted for making our timers. Then, the children identified advantages and disadvantages of a range of different types of timers. For example, the 1 minute egg timers were compact and portable, while the online timers gave a more accurate record of time. After that, the children were able to produce their own design criteria for their timer.

Next came the programming process, where the children used their own chromebooks to make codes for a microbit. They programmed a micro:bit, in the Microsoft micro:bit editor, to time a set number of seconds/minutes upon button press. Then, they tested their program for bugs and evaluated it against the points on their design criteria. Their working programs were able to count down in seconds.

Then the children were tasked with designing, making and developing a prototype case for their mindful moment timers. They began by discussing the range of themes which related to mindfulness, before using these to create some interesting designs. Next, they used their design plans to decorate their nets. These were made into their own 3D structures, forming cases for their microbits.

 

Finally, the children designed logos for their timers, thinking about symbols and slogans which would create a brand identity. Then, they evaluated their ideas and products against their own design criteria and considered the views of others to improve their work.

The results were great – have a look!