KS2 Design and Technology

Key Stage Two Design and Technology Activities

Design and technology (DT) resources are crucial to the English national curriculum, throughout primary and secondary education. The curriculum is designed to aid students in developing essential skills, knowledge, and gain a greater understanding through a framework of ideas. It is continuously evolving to reflect changes in the environment, equipment, and resource structures that are available to school teachers and home educating families.

Throughout this article we will take a look at just three of the excellent design and technology topics Hands-On Education offers within Key Stage 2.

One of the key objectives of the national curriculum design is to provide primary school-aged pupils with skills that will be useful to them in their future lives. These skills include problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. To achieve this objective, the national curriculum of England offers a wide range of subjects and topics in the areas of design and technology, science, mathematics, English, history, geography, and many more.

Design and Technology Projects for KS2

Hands-On Education plays a critical role in creating DT resources. It helps provide students with practical, hands-on activities, worksheets and videos within design and technology. Our approach helps to foster creativity and innovation, while providing students with an opportunity to develop their problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills. By incorporating Hands-On Education’s DT resources into your teaching arsenal, teachers and parents can help their students develop the skills needed to succeed in their academic lives.

Throughout this article we will take a look at just three of the excellent design and technology topics Hands-On Education offers within Key Stage 2. Our focus will begin with Building Bridges and the seven activities contained within this topic.

Building Bridges Topic and Activities

Building Bridges is a fun and engaging topic that can help classroom pupils develop a range of skills, from practical engineering to creative design. One of the most famous British engineers within living memory was Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who designed and built a range of impressive structures in the 19th. As a young man working alongside his father, he oversaw the design and construction of the Themes Tunnel in London. Later, he created the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol and even designed the iconic Paddington Train Station in London.

One way to introduce students to this topic to your class or home educated children is by using timeline cards and watch video’s learning all about the amazing life of Isambard Kingdom Brunel showing the development of different types of bridges and structures over time. These resources can help pupils understand the history of bridge-building engineering and the different techniques and materials that have been used.

Another activity is investigating suspension bridges, which can be done using a range of resources such as videos, diagrams and associated sketches. Students can learn about the principles behind suspension bridges and how they work, as well as the challenges involved in building them without modern day computer aided design tools.

Our building bridges with marshmallows is a fun and creative way to teach design and technology skills. Students in class can work individually or in teams to design and build their own bridges using marshmallows and other materials, while following specific design criteria and using appropriate equipment.

Overall, there are many ways to teach your class or child about building bridges, and it's a great way to develop students' engineering and design skills. By focusing on creating with recycled or alternative products teachers and educators can help their students in solving real problems in the daily life of an engineer.

Explore our Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages Topic and Activities

The Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages marked significant periods in human history, during which our ancestors witnessed incredible advances in technology, art, and culture. In order to help pupils better understand and appreciate these fascinating ancient eras, Hands-On Education have created a variety of activities and resources.

One popular activity is creating stone tools from various materials, such as flint or obsidian. This allows children to experience the difficult and time-consuming process of making tools that was necessary for survival during the Stone Age. However, this may not be possible in a school or home environment, therefore we created an activity using florists’ foam which is both easily found and safe. This mater mimics the relevant problems faced by our ancestors but requires less guidance and no specialist equipment.

Art and expression have played a big part in our understanding of stone age peoples. By exploring the development of cave paintings and learning about the symbolic significance of these artworks it’s possible to provide an insight into the beliefs and culture of our ancestors. Cave art has been found throughout the wider world and is a great example of human development.

Food foraging and cooking meat were also important aspects of daily life during the Stone Age. Exploring the types of food that were available can be both informative and delicious. Similarly, learning about the equipment and tools used during the Iron Age can help pupils understand the technological advancements that were made during this period and how it changed not only cooking but the lives of all humans.

Exploring topics such as stone circles, pottery, and weaving can provide further insight into the lives of our ancestors and the real and relevant problems they faced. Hands-On Education also provide video resources to help bring these periods to life.

Overall, there are a variety of ways to explore design and technology alongside other subjects in schools using various materials to expand pupils' knowledge and solve real and relevant problems. The above activities are particularly suitable for Key Stage 2 pupils looking for guidance and support in the subject of DT.

Encourage Creativity with our My Skeleton Topic

Hands-On Education is a valuable approach to learning that encourages active participation and exploration in learning sessions. When it comes to understanding the human body, this approach can be particularly effective. One way to engage students in this subject is by exploring the differences between vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. This can be done through a range of activities that we offer.

Planning and developing a design criteria for the project may include considering the characteristics of each group of organisms and how these can be represented visually. This project can be tailored to their own curriculum within lower ks2. Using a range of template resources parents or teachers should support students through positive feedback and examples. Hands-On Education provide videos, timelines, worksheets, and lesson plans to assist with this support.

By using these resources, pupils can gain a better understanding of the ideas behind vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as explore fantastic activities aiming to make learning fun. Overall, incorporating Hands-On Education into the study of the human body can help to create engaging and memorable learning experiences.

Free Teaching Resources for KS2

Our Light, Shadows and Reflections topic is a fantastic way for children to learn about these captivating concepts in a fun and engaging way. Through a variety of experiments and activities, children can explore the properties of light, shadows, and reflections, and deepen their understanding of these fundamental scientific principles.

In addition to being a great resource for science education, this topic also covers various aspects of the national curriculum of England, including Design & Technology, Geography, History, Mathematics, and Science. This makes it an excellent addition to any classroom or homeschooling curriculum, as it provides a comprehensive and integrated approach to learning.

Hands-On Education offers a range of related activities such as learning about seeds and lifecycles, fossils, and the human skeleton. These activities are designed to support children in their learning journey and provide them with a well-rounded education.

Beyond Hands-On Education

While we make every attempt to incorporate as much information as possible in our activities, we are not able to cover every single aspect of the English National Curriculum. It is however important that we quickly hit upon on important aspect of DT.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is a crucial aspect of design and technology in the industry. It allows engineers and designers to create accurate and complex models of mechanical systems, mechanisms, and electrical systems. The use of CAD has revolutionized the design process, making it faster and more efficient. It is an essential skill for students to learn, and it is part of the National Curriculum for England Key Stage 2 Design and Technology.

Teaching pupils how to create series circuits incorporating switches is also vital. Understanding how electrical systems work and how to design and build them is a valuable skill in many industries. It is also important to provide students with the necessary teaching tools and understanding units of work to enable them to learn effectively.

In conclusion, the integration of CAD, electrical systems, and the teaching of series circuits incorporating switches are essential components in the National Curriculum for England Key Stage 2 Design and Technology. It is vital to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the industry.

If you are looking beyond KS2 be sure to explore more of our exclusive topics. We cover key stage one learning across the national curriculum for England in: