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Design & Technology
Design & TechnologyEXPO15
This year’s D&T Expo reflected an evolution in electronic
manufacturing in all age groups across the school and
its primary partner schools. This reflects the continuing
emergence of 3D print technologies in society and
industry. Students from Diptford Primary School
exhibited their designs for modern egg cups created over
a four hour period. Year 7 and 8 students, as part of the
Enterprise in Schools Programme, developed self-directed
products based on rotational profile techniques within the
3D computer-aided design software. Products included
candlesticks, diablos, pencil storage devices, salt and
pepper shakers, night lights, yoyos, goblets and vessels.
At Sixth Form level, Larissa Connabeer developed the Dry
Pod system that allows sailing enthusiasts to dry their
wetsuits once used by ensuring that all the openings of the
suit are kept open to keep air circulating. The components
all stack together and save space on the boat when not in
use. Larissa has already registered the website name and
is looking to develop the idea further commercially next
year in her gap year.
Oliver Crewes, also in year 13, developed a solitary bee
hive for use in modern environments. Again, the shell
was prototyped using a powder-based 3D printer and
filled with bamboo rods for the bee access. This project
responded to the alarming decline in bee populations in
both urban and rural areas in recent years.
Matt Smith, as part of his Product Design submission
,developed a biodegradable ashes urn that, when planted
in the ground with a sapling inserted, gradually feeds the
sapling and its collar provids a barrier to weeds choking
the young plant.
Other exhibits at GCSE level included Hazel Woodcock’s
shelving system in a rowing boat form that, when flooding
occurrs – as in the Somerset Levels last year – home
owners could use to save their precious belongings and
leave them floating inside the house.
Fleur Halkes in year 11 designed a large bamboo surf rack
structure that was beautifully engineered yet, because
of its selection and use of materials, environmentally
sensitive and sustainable. Its quality would not have
looked out of place at A Level.
There were also many GCSE Textiles exhibits that
illustrated the creativity and individual approaches that
students take ~ the diversity of which is inspiring.
In addition to the work of students at the College, the
community Fab Lab that meets every Tuesday evening
exhibited as part of the show. Pieces included CAD
drawings, materials tests, mathematical models, 3D
print outs and kite designs. The work of the Fab Lab is
now attracting referrals from commercial business in
Plymouth.
As ever, the exhibition illustrates the diversity and creative
talent of students and community members within the
community, and the diverse range of traditional and
modern technologies that can be accessed and deployed
at the College.
David Irish, Team Leader of D&T
Fab Lab
m e e t s
e a c h
Tuesday
evening
in the
D&T lab.
