On Thursday 22nd October, Year 5 completed their first Design and Technology (D.T.) Day of the year, bringing their Structures unit to life through a range of exciting, hands-on activities!

To begin the day, the children recapped key vocabulary and concepts from their previous learning, helping them to build on their existing knowledge. They then explored the work of our key designer, Abraham Darby III, who is famous for his contribution to the construction of the Iron Bridge.

Next, the children learnt some new technical vocabulary, including mitre and gusset, before investigating different structures around the classroom and discussing how they were made and what made them strong and stable.

The children then experimented with straws, exploring different ways to join materials together and discovering how different shapes can affect the strength of a structure. They particularly focused on how triangles can help to strengthen structures and prevent them from collapsing.

Finally, it was time to put their learning into practice by beginning their main project: designing and building a small table! The children carefully measured and cut pieces of wood using a saw, before adding triangular supports to strengthen their square frames. They then measured and cut four additional pieces of wood to create the table legs.

This links to our D.T values of:

Be innovative.

Be hands-on.

Be diagnostic. 

Throughout the day, the children developed their practical skills, used tools safely and applied their understanding of structural strength and stability. They discovered how strong materials, such as wood, and the clever use of triangles can make structures more robust and durable.

Evaluating our Work

Well done, Year 5, for your enthusiasm, teamwork and determination throughout your first D.T. Day! We look forward to seeing your tables take shape as you continue to develop your design and making skills.