Design & Technology

The aim of the D & T programme is to provide our pupils the opportunities to investigate existing products/systems and to think creatively in coming up with their own solutions.

To do this, the pupils would require an understanding of the principles of design and design process. In order that they may come up with realistic solutions, the pupils must study the technology appropriate to what they are making and show high standards of craftsmanship necessary to make what they have designed.

The testing and evaluation of their own solution is also an integral part of the D & T programme. The emphasis of the Technical Studies programme is practical activities Pupils acquire knowledge on materials, tools, processes, graphics, technology and basic electricity & electronics through involvement in structured practical projects.

Formal teaching of topics on materials, tools and processes are kept to the minimum while more time is devoted to the acquisition of skills through practice in the structured practical projects.

The Lower Secondary D&T programme aims to enable pupils to:

1. develop and promote an awareness of design in the made-world;
2. develop an appreciation of function, aesthetics and technology in design;
3. develop basic thinking and communication skills;
4. experience the process of realizing design through making;
5. think and intervene creatively to become independent decision makers.

The syllabus comprises of three learning domains broadly classified as Design Appreciation, Designing and Making. Pupils will learn to apply knowledge and skills through design-and-make activities.

The lower secondary D&T programme consists of several design and make activities that aims promotes creativity and innovation. One of which is the moving toy project whose theme revolves around the Youth Olympic Games 2010. In this activity, pupils will have to design the moving toy that consists of movement, identifies one sports in YOG and incorporate simple electronics and mechanisms to make this moving toy a souvenir for atheletes who will be taking part in the YOG as well as tourists.

The upper secondary D&T programme aims to enable pupils to:

1. foster positive values and develops dispositions for enterprise, creativity and innovation through research and exploration, idea conceptualisation and development, communication, working with resistant materials and tools in response to needs identified;
2. harness their innate curiousity and ability to create through design–and-make activities;
3. develop the quality of tenacity through continuous refinement of their ideas towards a viable solution within a given timeframe;
4.  exercise judgment of an aesthetics, technical and economic nature;
5. develop an awareness of design in areas of social, culture and environment;
6. acquire knowledge and skills beyond that as stipulated in the syllabus through the context of the design-and-make activities.

In achieving the aims, pupils also develop safe working habits.

For secondary three, we adopt a three-pronged approach to develop their design appreciation, technological understanding and practical skills. The pupils also made used of ICT to effectively create their Presentation boards.

Projects were carefully selected to equipped pupils with the necessary skills such as graphical communications, practical skills. Some of the projects were Pencil Holder and Hole Puncher.

Many hands on activities were also carried out like electronics worksheets. Pupils will have to solder electronics components to create different circuits for experiential learning. In this case, Teach Less learn More was put into use.

D&T students in action using Tablet PCs to create their proposed design through the use of Alias sketchbook pro software.