Design Technology – RoboWars! (Upper Key Stage 2)

This unit of work forms part of the Primary Design Technology scheme of work which features over 60 units of work designed to deliver outstanding outcomes for primary school children in design technology. Each unit contains lesson slides for each session, downloadable resources, planning and a knowledge organiser. Comprehensive medium-term planning includes

• Unit overview and sequence of learning
• Prior learning needed and links to other curriculum areas
• Learning statements (from our curriculum pathway document)
• List of resources and background information to support teaching and learning
• Key vocabulary for the unit of work
• Teaching activities (investigative and focus tasks)
• Teaching activities (designing and making)
• Advice for challenge and support strategies
• Assessment indicators that children are keeping up with the curriculum

Accompanying this unit is further information about the scheme of work and the progression chart and vocabulary list used when creating the scheme of work.

(Further details and free resources: www.primarydt.com)

Design Brief: Design and Make a Controllable Robot Buggy to take part in the Class RoboWars!

Sequence of Learning for Teachers

In this unit of work children design and make a robot buggy that is controllable by using Crumble Kit and programmed for random movement using computer block coding. As part of this project children learn about how electric vehicles work and the story of Elon Musk and his inventions and achievements. Children embark on a series of focus tasks to create a vehicle chassis to which other electrical components are added to make their controllable vehicle. They learn how to apply their knowledge of computer block code to program their vehicle to successfully complete a series of ‘test track’ tasks before their vehicle is allowed to take part in the class RoboWars. Children evaluate their project by making a short documentary film, a display stand or by taking part in a ‘show and tell’ event.

This knowledge, skills and understanding is delivered through the following six sessions:

1. Investigate 1 – Robo Wars!
2. Focus Task 1: Creating the Chassis.
3. Focus Task 2: Vehicle Control.
4. Design and Make: Buggy Designing and Making.
5. Design and Make: Test Track.
6. Evaluation: The Robo Wars Competition – Let Battle Commence!

 Some activities / sessions can be re-arranged or delivered in different ways in the learning sequence to allow for whole-class teaching and/or small adult-led sessions to take place at the same time.