Week 10 — Final Project (Structured Choice)

Focus Concept: Planning, improving and presenting a chosen design
Mini-Project: Improved Car / Tower / Rocket

Connections to STEAM Learning

  • Computing: Using Tinkercad and SimLab (where appropriate) to refine a design.
  • Design & Technology: Following a simple brief and iterating a product.
  • Maths: Adjusting measurements, proportions and comparisons.
  • Science & Engineering: Applying ideas about strength, motion or stability.
  • Art & Design: Finishing touches, colour and presentation.

In the final week, participants choose one of the term’s themes — car, tower, or rocket / revolved object — and create an improved, “best‑of‑term” version of their design.

Objectives

  • Choose a focus (car, tower or rocket / revolved object).
  • Plan at least one clear improvement to make.
  • Build, test (where appropriate) and present the final design.

Success Criteria

  • I can explain which design I chose and why.
  • I can describe at least one improvement I made.
  • I can talk about how my design links to motion or stability.

Key Vocabulary

  • Iterate — improve a design through small changes.
  • Prototype — an early version of a design used for testing.
  • Brief — a simple description of what the design should do.

Part A — Plan

  • Offer three structured choices:
    • Car: improve motion or shape.
    • Tower: improve stability in SimLab.
    • Rocket / Revolved object: improve shape, detail or practicality.
  • Ask learners to quickly sketch or explain what they will change.

Part B — Make & Test

  • Give most of the session for building and refining.
  • Cars and towers can be tested in SimLab to check motion or earthquake performance.
  • Rockets or pendants can be checked for sensible thickness and proportions.

Part C — Share & Reflect

  • Run a short, informal “show and tell” where each participant presents:
    • their chosen project
    • the main change they made
    • what worked well and what they would try next.

Resources

Equipment

  • Laptops / Chromebooks with internet
  • Mouse per device
  • Optional: 3D printer access for a small number of chosen models

Safety & Setup Notes

  • If printing, follow school policies on what objects are appropriate (no weapons or unsafe shapes).
  • Encourage kind, constructive feedback during sharing.