At LEH International School Foshan, Design and Technology (DT) is an essential subject that combines elements of design, engineering, and technology. It is a practical, hands-on subject that helps students to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity.
Head of Design & Technology
Mr Benavides joins LEH Foshan as Head of Design and Technology with over 6 years of teaching experience in Colombia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. In his last position, he worked as a Secondary Design Technology Teacher in a British international school in Qatar. In his classroom, he is dedicated to devising problem-based learning schemes to ensure students acquire not only disciplinary knowledge and skills but also essential social awareness and leadership skills for the 21st century. Mr Benavides holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Design Technology from Universidad Pedagógica Nacional.
What are your visions for the DT subjectat LEH Foshan?
In the Prep School, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) modules help students develop the fundamental skills and give them the knowledge and understanding they will require to approach the future practices and contents of Design & Technology in Secondary School.
Currently, in Design & Technology lessons, my main goal is to engage subject content and methodologies which will incentivise creativity and motivate students to be thinkers and creators and to embrace the process of creating something from scratch.
We are constantly trying to offer a wide range of design experiences, which is why the department has specialised classrooms for graphic products, modelling and electronics, we also have 3D modelling software, 3D printing equipment and automation kits. This will offer the students the best possible educational experiences with the highest safety standards.
How do you help new students to engage in this subject, especially those who haven’t been exposed to DT before?
In the Design & Technology department, we are conscious that some students have never been in contact with the type of content and practices that this subject offers. We firstly make sure that all students are safe; the safety of all students is paramount, therefore we make sure the subject teacher has the support of a specialised technician, Mr Lingard who supervises and helps ensure that tools and machines are in good working order, allowing practical lessons to be taught to the highest safety standards. Furthermore, we liaise with the ELL department to offer support and pedagogical support that focuses on improving language skills and developing the academic vocabulary required at IGCSE and A Level.
Lessons are planned to be balanced between theory and practice in order to build student’s confidence. Our Project Based Learning scheme, allows the students to comfortably balance practices and content while creating products that are interesting and relevant for their age. A recent example includes the design of the frame and shell structure of a Rally car model that would try to protect an egg on the inside (simulating a passenger) from a car crash (simulated by a basketball crash).
To engage students and give them a wider experience of D&T approaches we offer Extra Curricular Activities that include crafting and drawing for Design & Technology.
Why is DT such a popular subject amongst students?
Design & Technology is a popular subject at LEH, because it offers the students the freedom and creativity of design, whilst presenting exciting challenges where students need to use their mathematical, physical and artistic skills to solve problems in a practical way.
DT Curriculum at LEH Foshan
The Design and Technology course aims to broaden the experience, awareness and capability of students to design, develop and build prototype products which are not only examples of ‘good design’ but are in themselves ‘designs for good’, creating products which solve real problems for real people.
The curriculum focuses on children's understanding and skills in designing and making products, it develops their creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Students learn about Graphic Products with experiences related to the use of paper, such as papercraft, origami or technical drawing.
Students continue to develop their design and making skills and learn about new materials and technologies. The focuses are on both designing and creating functional products, as well as exploring and challenging conventional ideas. Module topics include product analysis, electronics, and engineering. The three main specialist fields are Graphic Products (Technical drawing and packaging), Resistant Materials (Using wood, plastic and metal) and Systems and Control (Structures, mechanics and electronics).
During the IGCSE course, the students learn new concepts related to Product design and choose a specialist field (Graphic Products, Resistant Materials or Systems and Control) to then demonstrate their mastery of the topics presenting an international exam. As part of their course, they follow a design methodology to design, from scratch, a physical product that solves a problem in their known context, during the process they need to identify a need, generate ideas, develop a plan, build and finally evaluate their products to determine the success of their project.
A Level D&T provides an in-depth education in design, engineering, and technology with topics including product analysis, design theory, and sustainable design. Students are expected to learn a higher level of knowledge and skills related to all three specialist fields (engineering drawing, packaging, building materials, structural calculations, circuits, electronic components) to build two different products by following a design methodology. As evidence of their journey, they complete a portfolio that shows step by step all the analysis, sketching, thinking, modelling, building, and testing to ensure the success of their products.
All students studying Design and Technology have opportunities to undertake design-related events such as visits to design consultancies, exhibitions and conferences, and to compete in national and international competitions. In addition, student participate in a range of in-house workshops will help to broaden each student’s knowledge of design and its associated disciplines.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
The students work in a properly adapted design workshop with benches and heavy-duty tables. The Design & Technology facilities can be summarised in four categories:
With the students have access to complete sets of rulers, triangles, compasses, protractors, drawing and cutting boards, different types of paper, cutters, glues and in general every requirement to properly develop Graphic Products with the students.
Resistant materials tools
We have multiple hand tools including hammers, screwdrivers, files, different types of saws, clamps, glue guns, pliers, wrenches and measure tapes to enable the students to work with different materials
Resistant materials machines
To facilitate processes, especially those repetitive ones, the students can use scroll saws, drills, impact drivers, jigsaws and sanders. The classroom also has a circular table saw, a band saw, a miller saw, a marking Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine and a laser cutter.
We have a great supply of electronic parts including switches, resistors, transistors, diodes, capacitors and integrated circuits, along with different boards and soldering kits.
University & Career Perspectives
From a university perspective, Design and Technology is often considered as a multidisciplinary subject that combines elements of design, engineering, and technology. Many universities offer undergraduate and graduate degree programmes in D&T or related fields such as industrial design, product design, mechanical engineering, and computer science.
Looking further, Design and Technology offers a wide range of career opportunities for students. Graduates in this field can pursue careers in areas such as product design, industrial design, engineering, architecture, and many others. These professionals are highly valued for their creative problem-solving abilities and their technical expertise today and in the future.
