Creating practical minds
At the D+T with ICT education show Hall 10, NEC, Birmingham Thursday 16th - Saturday 18th November 2006.
Creating practical minds is the challenge taken up by the Design and Technology with ICT Education Show 2006 presenting features, seminars, workshops, good practice demonstrations and a wide range of resources and products to inspire D+T teachers, lecturers and co-ordinators at the NEC from Thursday 16th to Saturday 18th November 2006.
D+T with ICT Education Show Consultant Colin Whitfield says, “D+T teachers are facing some incredible challenges at the moment, from improving practical food technology, teaching and addressing boys’ attainment in design and technology, to maintaining student interest in D+T for GCSE and A level.”
He continues, “At the D+T with ICT Education Show we bring together some of the best schools, suppliers, experts, advisers and organisations to provide assistance and encouragement to help D+T teachers find a broader range of skills, new resources and fresh ideas.”
Firsts for 2006
New for the D+T with ICT Education Show 2006 is an A Level coursework display from a range of Oxfordshire schools showcasing excellent project work across all areas of the D+T curriculum. The feature, sponsored by Boxford, gives visiting teachers, lecturers and co-ordinators ideas for projects and a chance to see the extremely high standards being achieved by students studying D+T at A level.
Combining exciting projects for D&T, engineering and science with issues of sustainability and renewable energy, the Schools & Homes Energy Education Project will showcase for the first time its renewable energy educational resources at the 2006 D+T Show. Visitors can build model solar-powered cars and solar boats from pre-assembled kits developed by the Schools & Homes Energy Education project as well as watch demonstrations of min-solar water pumps, wind generators, domestic solar electric lighting systems and solar water heating panels.
David Garlovsky of Schools & Homes Energy Education Project says, “We have developed an approach to learning that focuses on stimulating children’s interest and involves real life applications of scientific concepts using interactive energy efficiency and renewable energy resources. We hope to inspire students to use their inventive skills, develop original thinking and perhaps consider careers in engineering, design or manufacturing.”
Good Practice Demonstrations
Good practice in primary and secondary D+T is featured through selected school demonstration areas at the show, giving visitors the chance to see students participating in activities and get ideas and inspiration from fellow teachers on the stands.
One of only 40 specialist engineering colleges in the UK, Ridgewood School, Doncaster, is demonstrating its good practice D+T teaching at the 2006 show with students and teachers from the school presenting robot building, aeroplane flying and off-road buggy projects. Dr Brian Stones, Director of Engineering at Ridgewood School says, “We want to give teachers at the show an understanding of our Passport to Engineering philosophy which travels from our infant feeder schools and junior schools through to AS Level Engineering.”
Following the success of the Primary Focus area at the 2005 D+T show, primary teachers will once again have an exclusive area providing school demonstrations, hands-on workshops and primary teaching materials. The Primary Focus area is an essential resource for primary teachers looking for advice, inspiration and supplies and a chance to meet with other colleagues to discuss current issues.
Free Seminars
A variety of topics across primary and secondary D+T education are covered in a three-day seminar programme presented by influential advisers, teachers and inspectors. Peter Toft HMI, Ofsted’s specialist subject adviser for Design and Technology, will present the keynote lecture - “What is Design and Technology like in our Schools?” reviewing the national evidence from inspection and other sources outlining the strengths in the current provision of D&T in English primary and secondary schools. Covering the nature of what pupils achieve, the ways in which they are taught, the curriculum and the ways in which resources are managed Peter Toft will also outline areas which need to improve to help those involved in D+T teaching, evaluation and curriculum development.
Hands on Exhibits
Over 120 exhibitors at the D+T Show provide practical displays and demonstrations covering the full range of the curriculum including resistant materials, electronics, CAD/CAM, control, food technology, graphics, engineering, examinations, systems and control and textiles technology. The three-day show provides a unique opportunity for more than 4,000 visiting teachers, advisers and lecturers from schools, colleges and LEA’s across the UK to see and test the very latest products and classroom resources and discuss face to face their requirements with exhibitors.
Boxford, leading supplier of CAD/CAM systems to schools, colleges and universities, has exhibited at every D+T show since it began 28 years ago and is showcasing new products at the 2006 show including its new low-cost Gravograph desktop laser and its Zcorporation rapid prototyping machine (3D printer) enabling students to make prototypes of designs for testing and evaluation. Boxford Managing Director, Howard Barrett says, “Visitors to our active and visual stand always get to see our machinery in full operation. We are delighted to sponsor the A Level display feature this year and look forward to seeing the high standard of projects on show. Our equipment is more than able to cope with demands of Key Stage 4 and Higher Education projects, where A Level is taught at a school or college our equipment is usually involved.”
The RSA Focus on Food Cooking Bus also stops at the D+T Show 2006 allowing passengers to use its state-of-the-art full size kitchen classroom to learn more about basic and advanced cooking skills, healthy eating principles, nutrition, food safety and hygiene.
Travel for free
Entry into the D+T with ICT Education Show and any of the seminars, good practice demonstrations and workshops is free of charge. Show organisers ICHF also meet all or part of travel costs to the show for groups travelling together. Twenty or more teachers, advisers or technicians travelling as a group can claim the full cost of hiring a coach to visit the show, six or more teachers travelling in a minibus can claim a subsidy of 40p per mile from ICHF and twenty or more students from University or Higher Education College can claim 50% towards the full cost of hiring a coach.
For details about travel subsidies and an application form call 01425 272711. For details of what will be happening at D+T 2006, check the show’s website www.ichf.co.uk/d+t.