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TechnotesSpring Term - March 2002Welcome to this edition of Technotes Two. After positive feedback from the first edition we are presenting this edition on-line and will distribute a copy to each secondary school. A variety of news items are provided and in the future we would like to feature exemplar D&T projects from any key stage – please let us know if you have work that you would like to celebrate with the D&T community. David Allen - County Adviser D&T Jenny Elms – Adviser D&T Design and Technology Week 24th – 28th June 2002All schools should have received a letter inviting them to take part in D&T week 2002 – a celebration of the achievements of pupils in Design and Technology in Hertfordshire. The week will focus around an exhibition of work from all key stages and a range of hands-on workshops for pupils based at Wheathampstead Development Centre. For further details please refer to the letter, a copy can be found on the D&T web site. SpeedStep Software ReleasedThe successful negotiations between DATA and SpeedStep, a German based textile software developer has secured the release of the software as part of the CAD/CAM in Schools Initiative. The software, SpeedStep Pro 2000 concept, comprises four distinct parts:
The first two will form the software package offered within the UK education system. ProSketch is the tool used to help build up the templates and garment or accessory details. This can be used to build up specification sheets as well as garment outlines that can be further developed in ProPainter, with the addition of colour and texture. ProPainter is a visualisation tool which allows you to create designs and display them, showing garments, styles and fabrics. For more details and information about the SpeedStep software and
what it can do see the web site Further information will be published regarding the sequence for obtaining the SpeedStep Pro 2000 Concept for Schools in the summer term. Crime Prevention Challenge100 students in 10 schools are actively involved in designing and making a security device for a particular need identified by the student. The Crime Prevention Challenge is a joint project between the Welwyn and Hatfield Crime Prevention Panel, The Hertfordshire Police Authority, Hertfordshire Constabulary and the Hertfordshire County Council Design and Technology Team. The Project involves students in design and making a security device that is either electrical, electro-mechanical, mechanical or graphical. For further details see: Technology Enhancement ProjectThe Design and Technology team is pleased to announce a new partnership between the Technology Enhancement Project (TEP) and the School Improvement and Advisory Service. This partnership will result in all Middle, Secondary and Special schools with key stage three and four provision being given automatic TEP membership. All schools will be eligible for up to 15 free days inset over a two year period. Schools will also be able to take advantage of 10% discount off other courses offered by TEP and 5% off the cost of resources ordered from their catalogue. More details to follow. Quadrant meetingsMeetings for the summer term have been arranged in the quadrants (details below). The meetings provide a forum for colleagues to share information and network. They were mostly well attended in the autumn term and we hope they will become a regular feature in the D&T year. In order to meet the needs of departments we would be pleased to receive suggestions for the agenda in advance.
Wood by DesignThe Design and Technology team in partnership with HCC Environment Department, Herts Setpoint (formerly Herts Satro) and the Forest Education Initiative are pleased to announce a new challenge for students in year 11 of their GCSE resistant materials course. The Challenge requires students to design and make a piece of wooden furniture or sculpture for a public space. For further details see
Design MuseumThe Design Museum has launched a web site: Each month a leading designer plays guest curator by identifying the best examples of design on the web. The site also gives full details of current and future exhibitions. You can contact the Design Museum for their education service on Tel: 0207940 8782 or email: education@designmuseum.org.uk Smart FoodsThe British Nutrition Foundation continues to develop and publish excellent support materials for Food Technology teachers and pupils. Recently a booklet was published called Understanding Smart Foods, it support teachers by providing clear definitions, balanced factual information and case study examples for pupil study. The copy can be downloaded from the web site (printed copies are no longer available). There are also many extremely useful sites and links on the web site to support the development of food technology. Two other useful web site references include: and Primary Food AwardsThe Taste of Success programme has now developed the new Primary Food Award based on the four QCA food units in the national Scheme of Work. These will reward pupils for outstanding practical work achieved in the classroom and result in a series of four certificates that accumulate into a final certificate of achievement. Hertfordshire has been invited to trial the awards and we hope to present certificates during D&T week in June. For further information about the awards see Advanced Skills TeachersWe are delighted to announce that two advanced skills teachers have been appointed to support Design and Technology in the county. Further details will be published later this year. National Curriculum in ActionDuring the autumn term the QCA launched a web site entitled National Curriculum in Action. The site is to help teachers and others understand the requirements and standards set out in the National Curriculum by using pupils’ work to show what they mean in practice. This is achieved through using pupils work to exemplify the national expectations set out in attainment targets and level descriptions, the requirements in the programmes of study, aspects of learning across the curriculum such as SMSC, key skills and thinking skills.
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