| Electronics - A Webquest for a Stage 5 Design & Technology Project |
All the links in this Webquest open in new windows -
close them when you have finished with them!
Introduction The Task The Process Evaluation Conclusion Teachers
| In this topic, you will learn about two areas of your course: Electronics, through the development of a circuit controlled by a sensor. Thermoplastics, through the manufacture of a vacuum formed housing for your circuit. |
| The Task: |
You have a small problem in your home that needs a solution which requires that you be alerted by means of a buzzer or flashing lights. This problem could be that you need to know if the plants need watering, or if someone is opening your cupboard door, or perhaps you need to know when the sun comes up! Your solution should include an electric circuit appropriate for the task, and it should be housed in a cover which you have made using the process of vacuum forming. (Identify your Design Brief and list the criteria in the Design Specification.) |
Your Rules! (The Design Specification)
| 1 | Function : What is the solution required to do? (This may be one thing, or more) | |
| 2 | Users : Who is going to use it? You need to be more specific than ‘anyone’! | |
| 3 | Manufacture : | a) How will it be made? What are the processes used? |
| b) What materials will it use, how much, cost etc | ||
| 4 | Environment : Where will it be used, any special considerations as a result? | |
| 5 | Safety : What safety precautions may need to be taken? Should use be restricted? | |
Next, brainstorm!
| You will need to do a bit of research here - what do you need? how can you use something like this? | |
| On your Design sheet, write down or draw all the ideas you can think of that might make useful alarms that are set off by moisture (or the lack of) or by light (or the lack of). This will help you come up with a range of ideas from which you can choose. Consider whether you can get all the materials you need. |
| The Process: | You need to know something about different types of circuits, and
the movements they produce. Here are some suitable sites that will help. (Research and Investigation) |
First - Some
Technical stuff!
| Electronics: | This site has some useful theoretical background, in an easy to
follow format -
http://home.att.net/~basicelectronics/ http://www.crocodile-clips.com/demo/ You can download a demo programme which will let you test your
circuits. |
| For rain detectors try -
http://media.neweraint.com/neweraedu/home.asp |
|
| For a light sensitive alarm - http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/projects/lalarm.htm |
| Plastics: | This site has some useful background on plastics, and further down
the page, links to animations of the process of vacuum forming -
http://www.bpf.co.uk/bpfindustry/process_plastics_vacuum_forming.cfm
|
| What are plastics?
http://www.teachingtools.com/Slinky/plastics.html |
|
| In more detail and to find out the different types of plastics and
their properties - http://www.design-technology.org/lesson4a.htm (this page is about thermoplastics, but you can find out about others as well) For further information on plastics - http://www.plastics.org/s_plastics/index.asp and another webquest on plastics - http://www.glencoe.com/sec/science/webquest/content/recycle.shtml |
Second - a tryout -
| Try designing your own circuit -
www.crocodile-clips.com has a free (for a month) downloadable piece of software called... "Crocodile Clips. This is a great way to try out your circuits and blow everything up on the computer without wasting lots of expensive components! (see above) |
|
What equipment and materials will you need?
| Electronics: | You will need a variety of electronic components. Make a list and
see what is available in school - we have the basic items needed for a
simple circuit which will do what you require. e.g. buzzers, etc. You
may need to get yourself some components if you want to make a more
complex circuit. |
| Plastics: | You will learn to use the Vacuum Former. You will use HIP (look this up!) and MDF (look this up too) moulds. You will learn about mould design and how a successful mould is made. This will lead to discussion on mass production. You can also make your own mould using clay. |
Safety
| Consider both the safety of your finished produce, as well as your own (and others around you) while you are working. |
Recording your progress.
| Record your progress as you go. Start with your Production Plan, a flowchart which helps you identify which order to do things. You should also include a list of all the materials and tools you may need. and keep a diary of the processes and skills you are using. It's important to record what doesn't work as much as what does, so you won't do those things again! |
What if my product is fantastic?
| You will present your finished
product to your
classmates in Week 5, Term 4, 2007, so it can be displayed in
Week 6. You might realise you have an
opportunity to make your first million Ringgit!.
How would you go about making sure that you make the millions? You can Patent it. |
|
| Patenting an invention | |
|
If you patent your invention in Malaysia, people in other countries can still copy it quite legally. |
|
| For information on Patents in Malaysia (Q&A format) | |
| and for a wider audience - UK patent office | |
| Evaluation: | These are some questions that you need to record the answers to, in your Design Sheet. |
| You need to show how you tested your product. (Did you get some classmates, or perhaps other students to help?) | |
| Your evaluation should use the same specifications as in your original plan, and answer the question 'Did my movie....?' | |
| What are some important tools and/or skills that are needed in your field? | |
| Where did you find your information? Don't forget to include your bibliography. | |
| You will need to show the Design Process as a record of the development of your project. | |
| You need to make a statement about whether you feel the product is successful automaton / toy, and suggest any possible modifications it might need. (You should also report any modifications you made along the way, and explain why.) Use your evaluation against the criteria to help you. | |
| Did you have fun? | |
| Good | ||||
(Situation, Design Brief & Specification) |
Doesn't address any of the Essential Questions. Information is random and unfocused. | Covers some of the Essential Questions, but not all. Information may touch on situation, but does not go in-depth. | Gives in-depth information about situation and addresses all areas in some depth. | Meets all requirements for of previous groups and conveys clear understanding of aims to be achieved. |
(Ideas, selection of best option) |
Few ideas. There few or no visuals to accompany information. Lacks organization and originality. | Ideas are shown but lack detail and originality, and might be missing key elements. | Ideas are well presented and accompanied by brief notes, easy to understand. Criteria for selection are listed. | Ideas are unusually imaginative, well presented, and selection of chosen idea is made against clear criteria relating to Design Specification. |
(Background and development of skills and processes involved, possible ideas) |
Does little to process information found. | Selects some relevant information, but only uses one Internet source. | Uses more than one resource and selects relevant information. Records resources appropriately. | Uses many resources, some outside of the Internet. Bibliography well presented. |
(Development of idea, Production Plan, Materials, Presentation) |
No clear evidence of planning or care in development. | Some attempt to follow a plan, little evidence of own initiative. | Some initiative is evident, and application of own research, and adherence to a plan. | As for 'Good', but clear evidence of Project Management shown. May include extras - costing, extra research relating to own project. |
(Development of idea, appropriate use of tools and materials, Safety considerations) |
No clear evidence of following plan, poor use of time and materials. Little adherence to safety considerations. | Some attempt to follow a plan, waits for instructions before proceeding. Minimal adherence to safety considerations. | Manufactures product in accordance with plan. Seeks assistance when necessary. Follows safety rules. | Follows plan, making modifications as appropriate. Proper use of tools and materials. Ensures that safety considerations are observed and applied throughout. |
(Testing, Evaluation against criteria, Possible modifications, suggestions for mass production) |
No attempt made at self evaluation. | No clear evaluation of the overall success of the project. | Some understanding of how the original aims of the project have been achieved. some suggestion of possible modifications. | Clear understanding of original aims against original Design Specification. Evidence of possible modifications for future projects. |
|
Recording & Presentation |
Design Sheet is incomplete and does not show progression. | Design Sheet shows some evidence of progression, but some sections are incomplete. | Design Sheet shows progression and evidence of development, but lacks depth. | Design Sheet demonstrates progression, good understanding and development of techniques. Well presented with evidence of high quality drawings and illustrative records. (e.g. photos, videos etc) |
| By now you should have a good grasp of the uses of electronics and thermoplastics, and had fun combining them in an imaginative package. As a result, you should never have dry plants / wet clothes / missed busses again! |
developed by Lesley Lee for the Year 9&10 Design & Technology students of the Australian International School Malaysia.
August 2005 (Updated 2007)