Sample work Science and Technology K–6 Stage 2: Designing and making a model of a shelter

Description of activity

Students design, produce and test a model of a shelter that is suitable for the Australian environment.

Instructions:

1. Students investigate the purpose of a range of shelter designs.
2. They make a drawing of the design they have selected for a shelter.
3. Students compare, select and record the materials to be used to make a model of the shelter.
4. They write and follow the steps in a procedure for the construction of their model.
5. Students gain experience in using appropriate tools and ways of joining materials for the construction.
6. They test the shelter to determine its suitability for some environmental factors.
7. Students review the design, suggesting changes, if necessary, and describe what they have learnt.

Suggested materials

Paper, pencils, a variety of everyday materials eg balsa wood, paddle pop sticks, plastic containers, polystyrene foam, straws, paper, cloth, plastic sheets, string.

Prior learning

This task about designing and making a shelter is a small part of a Science and Technology unit that is integrated with learning in History, relating to the early settlement of Australia. Students investigate suitable materials and use appropriate tools to design, produce and test a shelter.

Criteria for assessing learning

Students will be assessed on their ability to:

• identify the purpose of a shelter
• use a drawing to show the design features of a shelter
• select appropriate materials to make a model of a shelter
• write a procedure and follow the steps of this procedure to construct the model of the shelter
• use appropriate tools, materials and joining techniques to make the shelter
• test the suitability of the shelter
• evaluate the design process used.

Work Sample Assessment

Courtney

Courtney has demonstrated sound knowledge and understanding of how to design and make a model of a shelter. The purpose of a shelter has been identified and some interesting points have been included. Courtney has provided a labelled drawing that resembles the completed model in most design features. Appropriate tools, materials and joining techniques have mostly been selected and used. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard at the end of Stage 2.

Bailey

Bailey has demonstrated sound knowledge and understanding of how to design and make a model of a shelter. The purpose of a shelter has been identified and some interesting points have been included. An adequate level of competence is evident in the recording of the procedure. Bailey has provided a clearly labelled list of materials required to build the shelter rather than a drawing showing the design features of the model. Appropriate tools, materials and joining techniques have been selected and used, and the steps of the procedure have generally been followed. The model has been adequately constructed and the suitability of the shelter has been tested but the evaluation of the design process is minimal and the suggested modifications to the model are only cosmetic. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard at the end of Stage 2.

Darcy

Darcy has demonstrated sound knowledge and understanding of how to design and make a model of a shelter. The purpose of a shelter has been identified and some interesting points have been made. An adequate level of competence is evident in the recording of the procedure but not all of the steps have been followed. Darcy has provided a list of appropriate materials but sticky tape has not been mentioned. Some appropriate tools, materials and joining techniques have been selected and used, and the model has been adequately drawn and constructed. The suitability of the shelter has been tested and some evaluation has been made. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard at the end of Stage 2.

Ricky

Ricky has demonstrated sound knowledge and understanding of how to design and make a model of a shelter. Some purposes of a shelter have been identified but further expansion would be of benefit. An adequate level of competence is evident in the recording of a procedure. Ricky has provided a clearly labelled drawing showing the design features, but the roof differs from that of the completed model. Appropriate tools, materials and joining techniques have been selected and used, and the steps of the procedure have generally been followed. The model has been well constructed, and the suitability of the shelter has been tested. Some suggestions for modifications to the model have been made but no evaluation of the design process is evident. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard at the end of Stage 2.

Robyn

Robyn has demonstrated sound knowledge and understanding of how to design and make a model of a shelter. The purpose of a shelter has been identified and some interesting points have been made. The steps followed have been adequately documented but this section has been written in prose, not as a procedural text, and there is a lack of technical language. Robyn has listed appropriate materials but glue has been omitted. Some effective joining techniques have been selected and used, and the model has been competently constructed. The sketch has been clearly labelled and resembles the finished product. The suitability of the shelter has been tested and suggestions for improvement have been made. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard at the end of Stage 2.

Bobby

Bobby has demonstrated basic knowledge and understanding of how to design and make a model of a shelter. A limited level of competence is evident in the recording of the design purpose and the procedure followed. Bobby has provided a basic drawing of the design features but the drawing does not resemble the completed model. Some appropriate tools, materials and joining techniques have been selected and used but the list of materials is not accurate and the design process has not been effectively evaluated. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade D standard at the end of Stage 2.

Jessie

Jessie has demonstrated basic knowledge and understanding of how to design and make a model of a shelter. The purpose of a shelter has been identified but a limited level of competence is evident in the recording of the procedure. Jessie has provided a detailed drawing but it does not resemble the completed model. Some appropriate tools, materials and joining techniques have been selected but the list of materials differs from those used and the design process has not been effectively evaluated. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade D standard at the end of Stage 2.

Shannon

Shannon has demonstrated basic knowledge and understanding of how to design and make a model of a shelter. The purpose of a shelter has been identified but a limited level of competence is evident in the recording of the procedure. Shannon has provided a detailed drawing of the model but the design features have not been clearly labelled and the drawing does not resemble the completed model. Some appropriate materials have been selected and used but unnecessary materials have also been included and the list of materials is not accurate. The suitability of the shelter has been tested but the design process has not been effectively evaluated. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade D standard at the end of Stage 2.