Design Technology - Classroom Problems

Problems with teacher support

The following problems contain detailed teacher support concerning how we might use the task in schools. However, since these problems are intended to be rich mathematical activities they can be used effectively in many ways and at many levels of sophistication, both in the classroom and by individuals.

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engNRICH

engNRICH is the area of the stemNRICH Advanced site devoted to the mathematics underlying the study of engineering

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Mathematical Patchwork

Jenny Murray describes the mathematical processes behind making patchwork in this article for students.

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Plaiting and Braiding

This article for students gives some instructions about how to make some different braids.

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Celtic Knotwork Patterns

This article for pupils gives an introduction to Celtic knotwork patterns and a feel for how you can draw them.

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Drawing Doodles and Naming Knots

This article for students introduces the idea of naming knots using numbers. You'll need some paper and something to write with handy!

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Tom Learns to Cook

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

If Tom wants to learn to cook his favourite supper, he needs to make a schedule so that everything is ready at the same time.

A yellow helicopter flying over the mountains.

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Helicopters

7 to 16

Design and test a paper helicopter. What is the best design?

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Playground Snapshot

Age

7 to 14

Challenge level

The image in this problem is part of a piece of equipment found in the playground of a school. How would you describe it to someone over the phone?

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Troublesome Triangles

7 to 14

Many natural systems appear to be in equilibrium until suddenly a critical point is reached, setting up a mudslide or an avalanche or an earthquake. In this project, students will use a simple simulation game to investigate the properties of such systems.

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Make Your Own Robot

7 to 14

A simple robot to make, plus robots in everyday life to investigate.

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Tiles in a Public Building

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

What is the same and what is different about these tiling patterns and how do they contribute to the floor as a whole?

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Flip Your Mat!

7 to 14

What shape and size of drinks mat is best for flipping and catching?

A colourful cube made from a plastic Polydron net.

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Air Nets

Age

7 to 18

Challenge level

Can you visualise whether these nets fold up into 3D shapes? Watch the videos each time to see if you were correct.

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Straw Scaffold

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

Build a scaffold out of drinking-straws to support a cup of water

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Cool as Ice

Age

11 to 16

Challenge level

Design and construct a prototype intercooler which will satisfy agreed quality control constraints.

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Flower Power

Age

11 to 16

Challenge level

Create a symmetrical fabric design based on a flower motif - and realise it in Logo.

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Chocolate Cake

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

If I don't have the size of cake tin specified in my recipe, will the size I do have be OK?

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Programming: Moiré Patterns

We need computer programmers! Logo is a great entry-level programming language - and you can create stunning graphics while you learn.

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Hmm ... When Should Tom Have Put the Rice on ...

Age

11 to 16

Challenge level

Creating a schedule to cook a meal consisting of two different recipes, plus rice.

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3D Drawing

The design technology curriculum requires students to be able to represent 3-dimensional objects on paper. This article introduces some of the mathematical ideas which underlie such methods.

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Tray Bake

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

My recipe is for 12 cakes - how do I change it if I want to make a different number of cakes?

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stemNRICH - Technology

Age

11 to 16

Challenge level

This is the technology section of stemNRICH - Core.

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Designing Table Mats

Age

11 to 16

Challenge level

Formulate and investigate a simple mathematical model for the design of a table mat.

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Witch's Hat

Age

11 to 16

Challenge level

What shapes should Elly cut out to make a witch's hat? How can she make a taller hat?

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Favourite

Sending a Parcel

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

What is the greatest volume you can get for a rectangular (cuboid) parcel if the maximum combined length and girth are 2 metres?

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Making Moiré Patterns

Age

11 to 18

Challenge level

Moiré patterns are intriguing interference patterns. Create your own beautiful examples using LOGO!

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Perspective Drawing

Age

11 to 16

Challenge level

Explore the properties of perspective drawing.

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Oblique Projection

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

Explore the properties of oblique projection.

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Make Your Own Pencil Case

11 to 14

What shape would fit your pens and pencils best? How can you make it?

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Isometric Drawing

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

Explore the properties of isometric drawings.

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The Codabar Check

This article explains how credit card numbers are defined and the check digit serves to verify their accuracy.

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Toad in the Hole

Age

11 to 14

Challenge level

Is it cheaper to cook a meal from scratch or to buy a ready meal? What difference does the number of people you're cooking for make?

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Gym Bag

Age

11 to 16

Challenge level

Can Jo make a gym bag for her trainers from the piece of fabric she has?

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Chopped Dice

Age

14 to 16

Challenge level

Can you make a new type of fair die with 14 faces by shaving the corners off a cube?

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Robot Camera

Age

14 to 16

Challenge level

Could nanotechnology be used to see if an artery is blocked? Or is this just science fiction?

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Stadium Sightline

Age

14 to 18

Challenge level

How would you design the tiering of seats in a stadium so that all spectators have a good view?

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How the Velodrome Found Its Form

The Velodrome was one of the most striking buildings in the London 2012 Olympic Park. This article explores how mathematics helped design the iconic building and its track.