The activities of the Learning Centre focus strongly on the revised National Curriculum for Design and Technology, with a particular emphasis on control technology and manufacturing. The Centre will provide learning experiences for primary school children as part of the community focus.

Who can participate?

Primary school pupils aged 5-11 working in groups and their teachers

What are the benefits?

Pupils will have access to the sophisticated and state-of-the-art resources to enable them to learn about modern manufacturing and control technology.

Through working together on problem solving activities, the pupils will enhance key skills including team working, decision making and application of number.

Teachers will gain an improved knowledge and experience of assisting young people's learning.

Timescales

Groups normally attend the Centre for either half-day or all-day sessions. Morning sessions usually run from 9.30am - 12.00. Afternoon sessions run from 1.00pm - 3.30pm

Outcomes

In setting up the Learning Centre, staff at Seymour House aim to provide the resources necessary for children to develop their awareness and understanding of manufacturing and control technology and therefore to enhance and extend their learning.

Further details

The eight teaching modules from which teachers can choose are:

• How to make things
• How to make things move - and stay still
• How to switch things on
• How to control something
• How to control almost anything!
• How to control almost anything - with a PC!
• CAD-Comuter Aided Design
• CADCAM - Computer Aided Design and Manufacture

As a result of participating in the Centre's activities, it is hoped that pupils will:

• Appreciate the impact of new technology upon manufacturing and society
• Understand the need for technological development
• Establish links between manufacturing technology and the world of work
• Relate manufacturing technology to local employment opportunities
• Access technology learning partnerships between schools and manufacturing companies

ACTIVITIES

Eco-Friendly Buildings & Alternative Energy Systems

Students are introduced to the principles of eco-friendly design and construction techniques, during a visit to the ‘eco-building’ in the grounds of Seymour House.  Students are able to ‘see through’ the walls, ceiling and floor in order to discover which environmentally-friendly materials were used in its construction, as well as seeing how the building is actually constructed.
Students investigate which construction materials are the least eco-friendly and why it makes ‘economical and environmental sense’ to grow timber locally, rather than import it.
Students are also introduced to the on-site alternative energy system and the data-logging system, which records the amount of energy produced by the wind turbine and photovoltaics.

This workshop is suitable for KS3 and KS4.
It can be used to support Science, Design and Technology, construction-related techniques and environmental education.

Aims:

To develop knowledge and understanding of the use of eco-friendly construction materials
To introduce students to alternative energy systems
To provide a quality, ‘built environment education’ learning experience
To enable students to make informed decisions regarding environmental issues

Outcomes:

To learn from contact with personnel from different sectors

ICT Sessions

Children access a variety of software and learn to do a variety of tasks through specific use.

An opportunity to produce an outcome tailored to specific needs, developing ICT skills ‘with a purpose’!

Aims:

To extend and explore ICT through a variety of packages producing a specific outcome.

Additional activities:

Create own ‘images’ using MS Paint or Clipart (Card designs)
Create own ‘stories’, poems and text by using MS word (research topical stories)
Create own presentations using Power Point (specific event/digital camera use)
Create own newspaper using a digital camera and scanned images together with the Desktop Publishing Software (scanned pictures created by pupils)

For further details contact Jo McCaren on 01752 608942. 

E-mail: jomccaren.tebp@seymourhouse.org.uk