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Year 7 The Electronic Steady Hand Game


The Task

Children need games and toys that will develop their hand to eye
coordination skills. You have been asked to create such a game
for a school that has children with learning disabilities.

Requirements

1. To make an electronic circuit to be built into the game.
2. To make the main wooden body to hold the circuit.
3. To shape the wire into an interesting and fun shape.
4. To make the wire follower.
5. To research children's toys and to produce a both a web -diagram and initial ideas.
6. To write a design brief and an orthographic drawing of the final game.
7. To evaluate the game by either playing with it yourself and making notes as to how successful it is, or by giving it to a small child to play with whilst you make notes as to how the child reacts to the game.

Limitations

1. The game should test hand to eye coordination skills.
2. The game should have a stable base to hide the circuit.
3. The game should have a 'follower' to trace around a suitable wire shape.
4. The game should have an alarm (light and/or buzzer) which is activated when a mistake (contact) is made.
5. The game should have a product name.

Extension

Develop a set of rules for playing the game. The instruction sheet should contain images and text.

What preparation do I need?

1. Research a variety of children's toys. Cut out images from magazines and catalogues and comment on each toy or game giving your opinions as to how successful a game you think it is.


Programmes Of Study References

1c Activities in which they investigate, disassemble and evaluate familiar products and applications.
2b Apply skills, knowledge and an understanding from the programmes of studies of other subjects, where appropriate, including art, mathematics and science.
3g Take account of the working characteristics and properties of the materials and components when deciding how and when to use them;
4f Interconnect a variety of components to achieve functional results;
4g Apply a range of finishing techniques appropriate to the material being used, taking into account the purposes to which the finished products will be put;
4j Evaluate their products as these develop, including testing performance against specified criteria;
6c To use electrical switches to control devices;
6d To use sensors in switching circuits;
6e That systems have inputs, processes and outputs, and to recognise these in existing products and products that they have made;
4a use a range of processes to shape and form materials, including forming by wastage, attachment, adhesion and combining;
4b Select materials, tools and equipment appropriate to the task;
4c Select and use appropriate methods of shaping and forming materials accurately;
4d Join and combine additional materials and components accurately in temporary and permanent ways;
3a Identify appropriate sources of information that will help them with their designing;
3b Use design briefs to guide design thinking;
3c Develop a specification for their product;
3d Consider the needs and values of intended users and develop criteria for their design to guide thinking and form a basis for evaluation;
3e Generate design proposals that match stated design criteria and modify proposals to improve them;
3f Consider the aesthetics, function, safety, reliability, and the cost of their designs;
3g Take account of the working characteristics and properties of the materials and components when deciding how and when to use them;


Technical Knowledge and Understanding Needed

· How to make comb joints in wood.
· To learn the purpose of the Router.
· To know how to wire up circuits.
· To accurately cut out and shape pine, acrylic and Bright drawn mild steel.
· To learn about appropriate material finishes.

Tools and Equipment Needed

· Paper Connection blocks
· Design boards and T-squares. Resistors
· Tenon saws L.E.D'S
· Try- squares Flexible wire
· Marking knives Battery
· Hand files Slide switch
· Glass paper Buzzer
· A Pillar Drill Hacksaws
· Centre punches. Wood and metal vices
· A Router Screwdrivers
· Braizing rod Forstner Pattern Drill Bits
· Battery clip

Using Mathematics

Using formula to decide upon correct resistor. Using IT
To produce a selling package/advertising sheet for the product.
Using a desk top publishing package e.g. Microsoft Works.

Using Science

· Electronic components ( resistors/theory )
· L.E.D'S, batteries, buzzers, switches.

Using Other Subjects

Using Economic And Industrial Understanding
The advantage of using ready made circuits and fixtures and fitments.

Useful Resource Tasks

· Internet to find out research material on how children learn. Especially hand to eye coordination.
· The BATR- The British Association of Toy Retailers. British Standard BS 5665 and European Standard
EN71.

Year 7 -The Electronic Steady Hand Game

The Task

To design and make a 'Steady Hand Game'.


Setting The Task

Children need games or toys, which will develop their hand to eye coordination skills. You have been asked to create such a game for a school that has children with learning disabilities.


Main Aims

1. To learn about basic electronics and product design.
2. To learn and practice woodwork joints.
3. To learn how to shape and form metal.
4. To learn about the different properties of wood and metal.
5. Choosing appropriate tools and processes.
6. Learning about the function of basic electronic components.

Values

Technical

· Manufacturing techniques in wood and metal. Economics
· Introduction to electronics and components. To understand the principles of ordering
· Material finishes. Materials to requirement and the use of
· The importance of accuracy in cutting and shaping. The spreadsheet to organise material lists.

Aesthetics

· To understand what is appealing to young children.




 

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