GCSE Design Technology Knowledge Organiser 2020-2021

Section A

Section A covers a wide breadth of topics which range from types of energy and mechanical devices to production techniques, society, inclusive design and culture. You will
also need to recall your learning about all materials and their properties. This should include smart and modern materials.

Questions & Marks: In the exam, you will be required to answer multiple choice answers and short written answers.

Section A is worth 20 out of 100 marks and you should aim to spend about 15 minutes completing it.

Unit Topic Students need to know: Videos/Links/Resources Links to other subjects

New and Industry The impact of new and emerging technologies  BMW augmented reality  
emerging on:  New Robotic Shuttle Technology Provides
technologies • the design and organisation of the workplace Goods-to-Person Fulfillment
including automation and the use of robotics  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000f3ky
• buildings and the place of work
 The impact of Technology
• tools and equipment.
 The Rise of the Machines – Why Automation is
Different this Time
 Robots and automation in car manufacturing with
Stef McGovern & James May

New and Enterprise Enterprise based on the development of an   https://medium.com/rsa-journal/the-age-of-  

emerging effective automation-c1755969d3e2
technologies business innovation:  BMW Car Factory ROBOTS - Fast
• crowdfunding Manufacturing
• virtual marketing and retail  What is Crowdfunding? CrowdFunding planning?
• co-operatives What, How, Why and when
• fair trade.  Fairtrade
 Fairtrade Footballs
 What is a Co-Operative?
 The hidden cost of Apple
 What is FairTrade?
 Fairtrade and sustainability

New and Sustainability The impact of resource consumption on the  Kaizen The Secret behind Japanese Productivity
emerging planet:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-
technologies • finite environment-39217985
• non-finite  What happens to plastics you throw away?
• disposal of waste.  The Circular Economy.
 The true cost of Samsung.

New and People How technology push/market pull affects choice.   Car Workers and Robots Work Hand-in-Hand  
emerging Changing job roles due to the emergence of new
technologies  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000g6mj
ways of working driven by technological change.
 Technology is replacing jobs. Are you ready?
Will Robots Take Our Jobs? - BBC Click

New and Culture Changes in fashion and trends in relation to new   Series of HSBC Ads about Culture  
emerging and
technologies emergent technologies.
Respecting people of different faiths and beliefs.  Colours & Symbols

New and Society How products are designed and made to avoid  Accessible Design  
emerging having a negative impact on others:
technologies • design for disabled
• elderly  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000g6mj
• different religious groups.

New and Environment Positive and negative impacts new products have   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42455378  Business - Kaisan, efficient working
emerging on  https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/
technologies the environment:  Plastic Pollution
• continuous improvement
 Kaisan The lean experts answer
• efficient working
• pollution  Toyota and Kaisan with James May
• global warming.  Carbon Footprint
 What happens to plastics you throw away?
 Waste to Energy
 Better Apple Environment
 Global Warming
 The Carbon Footprint
 Deforestation
 The true cost of Samsung.
 Takeout creates a lot of trash. It doesn't have to.
 Section A -GCSE Design Technology Knowledge Organiser 2020-2021 - Hammersmith Academy

New and Production The contemporary and potential future use of:  An introduction to CAD  BUSINESS: JIT, Lean manufacturing
emerging Techniques & • automation  An introduction to 3D printing
technologies Systems • computer aided design (CAD)  Designing for laser cutting
• computer aided manufacture (CAM)  Laser Cutting
• flexible manufacturing systems (FMS)  CNC Embroidery
• just in time (JIT)  JIT/TPS
• lean manufacturing.
 3D Printing-Car Parts
 FMS - Fastems Flexible Manufacturing System in
3 Minutes
 Lean manufacturing at Nissan with James May
 Just in time manufacturing at Mini with Stef
McGovern & James May
 Dyson does it: Build
New and How the critical That it is important to consider scenarios from   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38472652 GEOG: Ethical factors and
emerging evaluation of new and different perspectives and considering:  The Truth about Planned Obsolescence consideration of ecological and social
technologies emerging technologies • planned obsolescence footprint.
 Planned obsolescence
informs design • design for maintenance
decisions  Apple Fined $27 Million by France - Planned
• ethics Obsolescence?
• the environment. BUSINESS: Ethics
 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/19/
waste-not-want-not-sweden-tax-breaks-repairs
 Life Cycle Analysis
 Apple Planned Obsolescence
 BBC Bitesize GCSE Business - Ethics video
 Why your old phones collect in a junk drawer of
sadness

Energy Fossil fuels How power is generated from:   What Are Fossil Fuels? | National Geographic GEOG/SCI: How to choose
generation and • coal appropriate energy sources.
storage  Coal Fired Power Station
• gas
• oil.  fossil fuels - advantages and disadvantages
Arguments for and against the selection of fossil
fuels.

Energy Nuclear power How nuclear power is generated.   Nuclear Power GEOG/SCI: How to choose
generation and Arguments for and against the selection of  For Nuclear Power appropriate energy sources.
storage nuclear power.  Against Nuclear Power
 Nuclear Disaster
Energy Renewable energy How power is generated from:   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science- GEOG/SCI: How to choose
generation and • wind environment-37902773 appropriate energy sources.
storage • solar  How do energy convert? - Studi Physics
• tidal  Renewable Energy Explained
• hydro-electrical
 Hydro Electric - The Electric Mountain
• biomass.
 Renewable Energy
Arguments for and against the selection of
renewable energy.  Wind Power Pros and Cons
 Tesla Gigafactory
 Renewable energy 2

Energy Energy storage Kinetic pumped storage systems.   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38263177 GEOG/SCI: How to choose
generation and systems including Alkaline and rechargeable batteries.  The history and development of batteries. appropriate energy sources.
storage batteries

 https://youtu.be/aY0HHM17UJo F1 KERS
system

Developments Modern materials Developments made through the invention of  A guide to Smart and Modern Materials. SCI: Classification of the types of
in new new or improved processes eg Graphene, Metal properties of a range of materials.
materials  Composite & smart materials Selecting appropriate materials.
foams and Titanium.
 BBC - Discovery and uses of Graphene Extracting information from technical
specifications.
Alterations to perform a particular function eg
 Modern Materials
Coated metals, Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs)
and Nanomaterials.  Metal Foams
 Graphene
Developments Smart materials That materials can have one or more properties  A guide to Smart and Modern Materials. SCI: Classification of the types of
in new that can be significantly changed in a controlled  Thermochromic Pigment properties of a range of materials.
materials fashion Selecting appropriate materials.
 Thermochromic Examples Extracting information from technical
by external stimuli, such as stress, temperature,
 Composite & smart materials specifications.
moisture, or PH
 Memory Alloys
 Section A -GCSE Design Technology Knowledge Organiser 2020-2021 - Hammersmith Academy

eg shape memory alloys, thermochromic  Photo and Thermochromic Plastics

pigments and photochromic  Shape Memory alloy tests
pigments.  Polymorph
 How smart materials are used in renewable energy
solutions

Developments Composite materials That composite materials are produced by
in new combining two or more different materials to
materials create an enhanced material
e.g. glass reinforced plastic (GRP) and
carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CRP).
  Making A Fibreglass Mould
 BBC - The History and uses of Carbon Fibre
 How reinforced concrete works
 BBC - Why is concrete so brittle
 GCSEPod What is a composite
SCI: Classification of the types of
properties of a range of materials.
Selecting appropriate materials.
Extracting information from technical
specifications.

Developments Technical textiles How fibres can be spun to make enhanced   The Story of Microfibers SCI: Classification of the types of
in new fabrics e.g. conductive fabrics, fire resistant  Nomex and Kevlar properties of a range of materials.
materials fabrics, Kevlar and microfibres incorporating Selecting appropriate materials.
 Smart Interactive Textiles
micro encapsulation.  Solar Active Thread

Systems Inputs The use of light sensors, temperature sensors,   BBC Bitesize: Systems: Sources and functions of SCI: Extracting information from
approach to pressure sensors and switches. components technical
designing specifications.
Component names, interaction and
operation.
 CS Basics: Input Process Output
Systems Processes The use of programming microcontrollers as   BBC Bitesize: Systems: Sources and functions of SCI: Extracting information from
approach to counters, timers and for decision making, to technical
components
designing provide functionality to products and processes. specifications.
 Microcontrollers Component names, interaction
andoperation.

Systems Outputs The use of buzzers, speakers and lamps, to    BBC Bitesize: Systems: Sources and functions SCI: Component names, interaction
approach to provide of components and
designing functionality to products and processes. operation.

 LED’s
Mechanical Different types of The functions of mechanical devices to produce    BBC Bitesize: Systems: Electronic & Visualise and represent 2D and 3D
Devices movement linear, rotary, reciprocating and oscillating mechanical systems objects
movements. including 2D diagrams of mechanisms/
mechanical movement.

Mechanical Changing magnitude Levers:   BBC Bitesize: Systems: Levers SCI: The action of forces and how
Devices and direction of force • first order  Levers Animation levers and gears transmit and transform
• second order the effects of
 Force & motion
• third order. forces.
 Levers Classes
Linkages:
MATHS: Arithmetic and numerical
• bell cranks
computation eg use ratios.
• push/pull.  Basic cams Use angular measures in degrees,
Rotary systems:
• CAMs and followers SCI/MATHS: Knowledge of the
• simple gear trains function of mechanical
 DT MR C’s YOUTUBE CHANNEL :)
• pulleys and belts. devices to produce different sorts of
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
movement, changing the magnitude
v=0oNWoNfNJag
and direction of forces.

Materials and Papers and boards Students should have an overview of the main  How paper is made SCI: Classification of the types and
their working categories and types of papers and boards: properties of
properties a range of materials.
Physical properties of materials related
 How paper is made: animation
Papers including: to
use and knowledge applied when
• bleed proof designing and making.
• cartridge paper  How it’s Made - Corrugated cardboard
• grid
• layout paper
• tracing paper  GCSE Design Technology (9-1): Paper board and
timber
Boards including:  GCSE Design Technology (9-1): Paper and board
finishes
• corrugated card
• duplex board
• foil lined board
• foam core board
• ink jet card
• solid white board.
Materials and Natural and Students should have an overview of the main   Tree Cutting Machine Amazing SCI: Classification of the types and
their working manufactured timbers categories and types of natural and manufactured properties of
properties timbers: a range of materials.
hardwoods including: Physical properties of materials related
 Types of wood & manufactured boards
 Section A -GCSE Design Technology Knowledge Organiser 2020-2021 - Hammersmith Academy

• ash to
• beech use and knowledge applied when
 Manufactured boards designing and making.
• mahogany
• oak  Marine Plywood
• balsa  How it's made Plywood Doors?
softwoods including:  Laminate
• larch
• pine
• spruce  Materials Properties 101
manufactured boards including:
• medium density fibreboard (MDF)
• plywood
• chipboard.
Materials and Metals and alloys Students should have an overview of the main  Types of metal (YouTube) SCI: Classification of the types and
their working categories and types of metals and alloys: properties of
properties BBC - Bronze the first alloy a range of materials.
ferrous metals including:
• low carbon steel How it’s Made - Aluminium cans Physical properties of materials related
to
• cast Iron
Inside the Factory - Baked Bean Cans Clip use and knowledge applied when
• high carbon/tool steel
designing and making.
non-ferrous metals including:
• aluminium
• copper
• tin
• zinc
alloys including:
• brass
• stainless steel
• high speed steel.

Materials and Polymers Students should have an overview of the main  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42455378 SCI: Classification of the types and
their working categories and types of polymers: properties of
properties thermoforming including: a range of materials.
• acrylic (PMMA) Physical properties of materials related
Types of plastic to
• high impact polystyrene (HIPS)
use and knowledge applied when
• high density polythene (HDPE) designing and making.
• polypropylene (PP) Polymers - types for DT students
• polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
thermosetting including:
An introduction to thermoplastics - KS3 Design
• epoxy resin (ER)
and Technology
• melamine-formaldehyde (MF))
• polyester resin (PR)
• urea-formaldehyde (UF).
Materials and Textiles Students should have an overview of the main  How Your T-Shirt Can Make a Difference | SCI: Classification of the types and
their working categories and types of textiles: National Geographic properties of
properties natural fibres including: a range of materials.
• cotton Physical properties of materials related
to use and knowledge applied when
• wool Patagonia Recycled Polyester designing and making.
• silk
synthetic fibres including:
• polyester
• polyamide (nylon)
• elastane (lycra)
blended and mixed fibres including:
• cotton/polyester
woven including:
• plain weave
non-woven including:
• bonded fabrics
• felted fabrics
knitted textiles including:
• knitted fabrics.
Material Material Properties In relation to the main categories outlined above,  Material Properties SCI: Scientific vocabulary eg
Properties students should Physical properties of materials metals/non-metals
know and understand physical properties such and physical and chemical differences
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
as: between them eg types and properties
v=BHZALtqAjeM&t=104s
across a range of materials.
• absorbency (resistance to moisture)
Using materials eg composition of
• density
some important alloys eg selection of
• fusibility an alloy for enhanced durability in a
• electrical and thermal conductivity. particular design
In relation to the main categories outlined above situation.
(not the specific materials identified), students
should
know and understand working properties such
as:
• strength
• hardness
• toughness
 Section A -GCSE Design Technology Knowledge Organiser 2020-2021 - Hammersmith Academy

• malleability
• ductility and elasticity.

Section A Example Questions:

1. Which one of the following best describes Just In Time (JIT) production? [1]
⬨ Easily reprogramming robots for short production runs
⬨ Eliminating waste in all areas of manufacture
⬨ Automated milling machines
⬨ Ordering and manufacturing parts as they are needed
2. Which one of the following is a type of wood from a coniferous tree? [1]

⬨ Beech

⬨ Ash

⬨ Oak

⬨ Larch

3. Give two positive environmental impacts of using rechargeable batteries over

single use batteries?
[2]
4. A new product should be responsibly disposed of at the end of its life.
Give two ways a company can design a product to improve its recyclability? [2]