List

StemNRICH - Technology

 

Welcome to the Design Technology collection of stemNRICH resources.

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stemNRICH Design Technology Header

In these resources, maths is used as a tool to explore some aspect of design technology.  Some might be best used in the maths lesson, with reference made to the science.  Others could be taught as cross-curricular topics. 



Stage 3 is roughly 11-14 years and Stage 4 roughly 14-16 years. The stars indicate how easily most learners can get into the problem, although most problems contain enough depth to challenge and stimulate all.

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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.
\engNRICH
page

engNRICH

engNRICH is the area of the stemNRICH Advanced site devoted to the mathematics underlying the study of engineering
Drawing Doodles and Naming Knots
article

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!
Tom learns to cook
problem

Tom learns to cook

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
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.
Placeholder: several colourful numbers
project

Helicopters

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

Placeholder: several colourful numbers
project

Troublesome Triangles

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.

Playground Snapshot
problem

Playground Snapshot

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
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?
Placeholder: several colourful numbers
project

Make Your Own Robot

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

Placeholder: several colourful numbers
project

Flip your mat!

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

Tiles in a public building
problem

Tiles in a public building

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
What is the same and what is different about these tiling patterns and how do they contribute to the floor as a whole?
Air Nets
problem

Air Nets

Age
7 to 18
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Can you visualise whether these nets fold up into 3D shapes? Watch the videos each time to see if you were correct.
Mathematical Patchwork
article

Mathematical Patchwork

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

Plaiting and Braiding

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

Celtic Knotwork Patterns

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

Chocolate cake

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
If I don't have the size of cake tin specified in my recipe, will the size I do have be OK?
Flower Power
problem

Flower Power

Age
11 to 16
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Create a symmetrical fabric design based on a flower motif - and realise it in Logo.
Programming: Moiré patterns
article

Programming: Moiré patterns

We need computer programmers! Logo is a great entry-level programming language - and you can create stunning graphics while you learn.
3D drawing
article

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.
Tray Bake
problem

Tray Bake

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
My recipe is for 12 cakes - how do I change it if I want to make a different number of cakes?
\stemNRICH - Technology
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stemNRICH - Technology

Age
11 to 16
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
This is the technology section of stemNRICH - Core.
Designing table mats
problem

Designing table mats

Age
11 to 16
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Formulate and investigate a simple mathematical model for the design of a table mat.
Witch's Hat
problem

Witch's Hat

Age
11 to 16
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
What shapes should Elly cut out to make a witch's hat? How can she make a taller hat?
Sending a Parcel
problem
Favourite

Sending a Parcel

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
What is the greatest volume you can get for a rectangular (cuboid) parcel if the maximum combined length and girth are 2 metres?
Making Moiré Patterns
problem

Making Moiré Patterns

Age
11 to 18
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Moiré patterns are intriguing interference patterns. Create your own beautiful examples using LOGO!
Perspective Drawing
problem

Perspective Drawing

Age
11 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
Explore the properties of perspective drawing.
Oblique Projection
problem

Oblique Projection

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Explore the properties of oblique projection.
The Codabar Check
article

The Codabar Check

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

Isometric Drawing

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Explore the properties of isometric drawings.
Toad in the Hole
problem

Toad in the Hole

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
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?
Gym Bag
problem

Gym Bag

Age
11 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
Can Jo make a gym bag for her trainers from the piece of fabric she has?
Straw Scaffold
problem

Straw Scaffold

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Build a scaffold out of drinking-straws to support a cup of water
Cool As Ice
problem

Cool As Ice

Age
11 to 16
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Design and construct a prototype intercooler which will satisfy agreed quality control constraints.
Stadium Sightline
problem

Stadium Sightline

Age
14 to 18
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
How would you design the tiering of seats in a stadium so that all spectators have a good view?
How the Velodrome found its form
article

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.
Carbon footprints
problem

Carbon footprints

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Is it really greener to go on the bus, or to buy local?
Mystery Procedure
problem

Mystery Procedure

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Can you work out what this procedure is doing?
Track design
problem
Favourite

Track design

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Where should runners start the 200m race so that they have all run the same distance by the finish?
Elastic maths
article

Elastic maths

How do you write a computer program that creates the illusion of stretching elastic bands between pegs of a Geoboard? The answer contains some surprising mathematics.
Placeholder: several colourful numbers
problem

Chopped Dice

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Can you make a new type of fair die with 14 faces by shaving the corners off a cube?
Robot Camera
problem

Robot Camera

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
Could nanotechnology be used to see if an artery is blocked? Or is this just science fiction?
Public Key Cryptography
article

Public Key Cryptography

An introduction to coding and decoding messages and the maths behind how to secretly share information.
The Olympic \LOGO
problem

The Olympic LOGO

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Can you use LOGO to draw a logo?

Problems without specific teacher support



The following problems are without specific teacher notes. These are often problems which would be difficult to fit into a typical curriculum area at school or are very open ended. They will be interesting for students interested in the general subject area to explore alone or for teachers to explore for ideas to bring to their own classrooms.

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