At MKPS we believe that each child will show a unique set of interests and these need to be catered for in their education. One of the common subjects that children may show an interest in is engineering and design. We aim to provide a high quality experience in this subject with projects ranging from measuring the speed of wind to C.A.D design, as well as vehicle making to electrical engineering. Children work independently and as a team to investigate how materials can be utilised for other purposes.
The Benefits Of Learning Engineering And Design At MKPS
Engineering and design provides children the opportunity and platform to improve skills required in later life. Using tools safely and accurately, the children discover new ways to succeed in their tasks.
Safety underpins all aspects of the children’s learning, supervised activities enhance the children’s knowledge and understanding of the wider world.
The Engineering Design Process
As part of their learning, children will be taught the engineering design process. This process is a series of steps that engineers follow to find a solution to a problem. The steps include problem solving processes such as, for example, determining your objectives and constraints, prototyping, testing and evaluation. While the design process is iterative it follows a predetermined set of steps, some of these may need to be repeated before moving to the next one. This will vary depending on the project itself, but allows lessons to be learnt from failures and improvements to be made. The process is as follows:
- Define The Problem: What is the problem that needs to be solved? What are the limitations and requirements?
- Brainstorm Possible Solutions: We teach that good designers brainstorm possible solutions before starting a design
- Research Ideas: By researching past projects, you can avoid the problems faced by others.
- Establish Criteria and Constraints: Having listed potential solutions and determined the needs of the project, the next step is to establish any factors that may constrain your work. This can be done by revisiting the requirements and bringing together your findings and ideas from previous steps.
- Consider Alternative Solutions: You may wish to consider further solutions to compare the potential outcomes and find the best approach.
- Select An Approach: Once you have assessed your various options you can determine which approach best meets your requirements
- Develop A Design Proposal: Having chosen your approach, the next step is to refine and improve the solution to create a design proposal.
- Make A Model Or Prototype: Use your design proposal to make a prototype that will allow you to test how the final product will perform.
- Test And Evaluate: each prototype will need testing, re-evaluation and improvement. Testing and evaluation allows you to see where any improvements are needed.
- The Design: Once testing has been completed, the design can be revised and improved.
- Create The Solution: After your refinements have been completed and fully tested, you can decide upon and create your finished solution.
“The Engineering and Design workshop is a fascinating place where children learn to plan and have fun building.” ( Daniel, Class 10)
How MKPS Can Support Your Childs Education
At MKPS our priority is to ensure that all of our children are provided with a safe but engaging environment in order to grow and learn successfully. We place great importance on expert teaching staff and vital knowledge being provided to our students, this helps to get them off to the best start in their education and prepares them for both senior school and eventual employment later in life. To find out more about our engineering and design department, and how your child could benefit from an education in this area, please get in contact or attend one of our open mornings.