Design Criteria in DT

In D&T, children have used their design criteria to help them evaluate their final product. When writing the design criteria, children have to think about the purpose of the product and how it will meet the users’ needs, therefore it is helpful for them to then use this in their evaluation to reflect on their final product and think about what went well and what could be improved for next time.

Junk Modelling in Nursery

In the creative area, in nursery, a free junk modeling station is set up where children can practice their scissor skills such as cutting patterns, following a line or cutting out a picture. During a teacher led activity children further explored these skills by making a collage using everyday shapes. This child, used the creative area to practice their cutting and sticking skills.

When asked what they had done the child explained that they had used scissors to cut the paper smaller and glue to stick on the wheels and that they tried to use tape but it was too hard. This is an example of children in nursery thinking about things they have created and talking about what they had, what went well and what they found hard.

Designing Boats in Year 2

In Year 2, this child has used the design criteria to think about how their boat will travel across the water. The child has thought about the materials they will use, the buoyancy and strength of their boat and what their boat will be carrying. In the evaluation lesson, the child used their design criteria to check how well their design met their criteria and if they managed to get their boat to travel with a piece of fruit across the water. The child then reflected on what went well and how they could make their product better.

Evaluating Tents in Year 4

In Year 4, this child has evaluated their model tent for a Lego man. When designing their tent, the child thought about the structure of a tent and how to make it purposeful for the intended user. After creating the final product, the child used the design criteria to evaluate whether the product met the needs of their user. When evaluating, the child also thought about what could be improved for next time.

Evaluating Healthy Dishes in Year 5

In Year 5, the children use the design criteria to help them think about the product they are going to make and its purpose for their intended user. This child has created a design criterion based on a healthy dish for a sports player. The child has thought about what kind of dish they are going to make, what that product will look like and how it will taste. The child then uses their design criteria to help them evaluate their final product which ensures they are thinking about whether their product has met the purpose of the design and if it is suitable for the user. In the evaluation, the child has thought about what went well and explained what changes had to be made when creating their product.