WM - Unit 1 - New and Emerging Technologies

Introduction to Year 9 and Year 10 Curriculums

  • Year 9 Exam Revision Topics:

    • Core Topics:

      • New and emerging technologies

      • Industry and enterprise

      • Sustainability and the environment

      • People, culture and society

      • Production techniques

    • Modules Covered:

      • Unit 1: New and Emerging Technologies

      • Unit 2: Informing Design Decisions

      • Unit 3: Energy, Materials, Devices, and Systems

      • Unit 4: Material Types, Properties, and Structure

      • Unit 5: Design Principles

Overview of Year 10

  • Year 10 Topics and Structure:

    • Core Knowledge Includes:

      • Timber Specialism

      • NEA (Coursework)

  • Emphasis on practice, especially with the NEA Project:

    • Specialist Revision on Timbers focusing on:

      • Sources, Origins, and Sustainability

      • Physical and Working Properties

      • Selection of Materials and Stock Forms

      • Planning and Production Methods

      • Material Processing and Joining

      • Material Treatments and Finishes

Industry and Enterprise (Unit 1)

  • New and Emerging Technologies:

    • Overview of how new technologies impact industry and enterprise environments.

    • Key Concepts to Learn:

      • Definition and significance of key terms

      • Industry characteristics including:

        • Unemployment trends

        • Workforce skill set requirements

        • Impact of science and technology parks

Technological Changes

  • Historical Perspective:

    • Starting points include early inventions and tools from practical needs to lifestyle improvements (Early man to the Industrial Revolution).

    • The impact of the Industrial Revolution (c.1780):

      • Introduction of steam-powered machines

      • Transformation of social and economic structures.

    • The Digital Revolution (c.1940):

      • Advancements in computerisation and the Internet

      • Discussion of globalization, productivity, and effects on communication.

Automation and Employment

  • Role of Automation:

    • Benefits of robotic automation include:

      • Consistency, accuracy, reliability, and increased productivity.

    • Impact on Employment:

      • Discussion on how new technologies may lead to job displacement (especially mid-skilled workers).

      • Companies’ strategies for staff adaptation.

Demographic Movements

  • Understanding Population Movements:

    • Analysis of how demographic changes affect workforce dynamics.

    • Importance of focusing on skills to match shifts in industry demands.

Innovation in Materials and Production Techniques

  • Emerging Materials:

    • Examination of new materials (like Graphene) and their implications for technology innovations.

  • Manufacturing Techniques Overview:

    • Differentiation among:

      • Push and Pull factors in product development

      • Importance of sustainability in material sourcing.

  • Crowdfunding and Government Support:

    • Roles these play in facilitating new startups and innovations.

Sustainability and the Environment

  • Critical Understanding of Environment Issues:

    • The balance of resource consumption and environmental protection needs.

    • Addressing raw materials sustainability: finite versus non-finite resources.

  • Pollution Awareness:

    • Exploring the concepts around atmospheric and oceanic pollution, demands on natural resources, and waste management options.

Responsible Design Principles

  • Elements of Responsible Design:

    • Understanding how to create products that are environmentally sustainable.

    • Importance of recycling, eco-friendly packaging, and product lifespan considerations.

Summary of Learning Objectives

  • Prepare for concepts surrounding new and emerging technologies

  • Develop skills in analyzing impacts of technology on society and the environment

  • Engage with discussions about design principles and project management within a technological context.