Assemble your own portfolio of work and incorporate this module in it. Do all additional work for this module on A4-size paper and store it in a ‘flip file’ as you proceed. Consider designing an interesting and relevant cover page to illustrate what you understand technology to be.
The first challenge!
Because of issues related to safety, wide, open parkland and playing fields have lost some of their attractiveness in our country. Young children, however, still need things to satisfy the need for adventure that is met by climbing. Designers have produced climbing frames that can be installed in backyards for this purpose. You are invited to design and build such a framework for climbing.
Your design proposition
Identify the key words in the above paragraph. Then write a proposal containing these key words. Remember that a proposal for a design comprises a sentence or two that state exactly what you plan to do. The proposal would normally begin with:
Design and manufacture of a …
LO 1.5
Specifications
The specifications that follow below will be relevant to your design: You could add your own specifications – perhaps with some help from your educator!
Climbing frames must be functional
They must be safe
Wood or drinking straws can be used to construct the model (ice-cream sticks can be used effectively)
The model must not be larger than A4-size paper (length, height and width designed to scale)
It must be affordable (do not plan to use an unnecessarily large quantity of materials)
LO 1.6
Research
You have to obtain information regarding the following:
Various designs for climbing frames;
Various methods of construction using sticks made from wood;
The types of glue to use for wood and for drinking straws;
What you could use to make a swing;
The tools that you will need, and the purpose of each tool.
LO 1.1
LO 1.4
Some ideas to help you with your construction:
Use cardboard triangles to steady your framework
Use pipe cleaners in conjunction with drinking straws
Use simple joins if you make use of wood
Ideas : Jot down any ideas that you might like to develop. You will note that the examples were drawn 3D. Go to Focus Task 2 to find out how to draw an isometric drawing.
LO 1.7
Manufacturing:
This step must be planned thoroughly and your planning for it must be presented in your portfolio. Read through the section dealing with safety precautions in the workshop before you commence working. You must be sure of what you need with regard to the following before you start work on your construction:
The materials with which you will be working – ice-cream sticks or modelling straws will work well;
Your final design;
A list of things that need to be sawn, with correct measurements and number of parts;
A written plan of the steps you will follow during construction, showing the correct order;
Bear in mind that your portfolio will have to contain a report on the construction process.
Also remember that you cannot rely on everything going according to plan – you may have to make adjustments to your original ideas.
