Title
A Child’s Desk Light
Context:
In this Module, Year 9 pupils design and manufacture a child’s desk light using a miniature soft
drinks can. This module covers elements such as design, communication, manufacturing and
energy and control.
Year Group: Year 9
Subject/Curriculum Reference: Design and Technology
Topic Reference: Creativity, sustainable consumer, energy and safety
Time/Length: 6 week Module
Aims
Details aims and learning outcomes are outlined on the accompanying pages.
Teacher Reflection:
Pupils enjoyed this module and produced some high quality work.
General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland – Post Primary
KS3: A Year 9 Module:
Elements:
Designing:
Communication:
A Child’s Desk Light:
Weeks 1-2
Testable Objectives:
Assessment:
Strategy:
Resources:
To have an
understanding of the: Design Process; and
introduced to basic
design concepts: Proportion, Balance,
Stability, Harmony etc.
To source a miniature
drinks can from local
shops/supermarkets.
Evidence of research
gathered on desk lamp
designs and reference
to this material in the
design portfolio
including templates.
Demonstrations: –
freehand drawing of
different profile
sketches of lamp
stands.
Designing and making
a
template.
Exemplar portfolio;
Class demo on
collating reference
materials.
Catalogues,
magazines,
brochures, etc
Two-dimensional
graphics to draw
concept sketches of the
stand profile
By outcome from
freehand sketches
showing ideas in the
design portfolio.
Design folio, exemplar
template designs.
CAD: Pro Desktop to
draw, dimension and
extrude the lamp
bracket
By outcome from ICT,
CAD drawing.
Demonstrations of
two-dimensional
drawing use of pencil,
proportion, etc.
CAD, demo using
Micrografx or Pro
Desktop.
Also, by outcome in
the design project with
prototype.
Templates,
Drinks Can
CAD exemplar
drawings.
Set: Y9
Comment:
KS3: A Year 9 Module:
Elements:
Manufacturing:
A Child’s Desk Light:
Testable Objectives:
Assessment:
Strategy:
Resources:
Working to a tolerance
of + or – 1mm.
.
Quality of finish and
accuracy on the
finished product.
Demonstrations: Marking-out, Crossfiling, draw-filing,
working to a line,
finishing techniques,
etc.
Basic workshop tools.
Quality of finished
surfaces; filing square,
draw-filing, finishing
using emery paper, etc.
Workshop Safety
Fitting of components,
soldering, etc.
Observation of working
manner.
Energy Chain; chemical
– electrical – heat and
light.
Energy & Control:
Weeks 3-6
Understanding of
electron flow,
resistance, open and
closed circuits, input,
output components.
Control of a simple
system.
Highlighting possible
workshop hazards,
i.e., safety in the use
of machines, tools
etc.
Basic hand tools,
drilling machines,
clamps and jigs, etc.
.
Verbal questioning by
class discussion and
through the end of
module A4 Page.
Note taking and by
formal teaching
methods using visual
aids where possible.
Departmental booklet,
worksheets, text book,
visual aids, etc.
Set: Y9
Comment:
KS3: A Year 9 Module:
A Child’s Desk Light:
Weeks 3-6
Elements:
Testable Objectives:
Assessment:
Strategy:
Resources:
ICT:
To draw a profile of a
lamp stand, dimension
and extrude.
By outcome using
CAD, Pro Desktop
By demonstrations
using CAD.
Pentium PC’s
Data Projector.
Epson Stylus Printer
Colour 760.
Measurement: - linear,
diameter, angles, radius,
etc. Addition –
calculating overall length
of template.
Tolerances working to a
set dimension.
By outcome from
project work.
By workshop
demonstrations
Emphasis on verbal and
listening skills to follow
simple instructions.
Observation of work in
progress and
behaviour.
Key Words: Proportion,
dimension, template,
tolerance, etc.
End of module A4
Page.
Numeracy:
Literacy:
Differentiation:
By quality of outcome
from the portfolio and
manufactured product.
End of module A4
Page.
Completed portfolio
and project graded.
Emphasis on listening
to instructions – with
examples, role-play.
Evaluation by teacher
and pupil. Grades
awarded at the end of
the process.
Set: Y9
Comment:
A Child’s Desk Light
This end of the can is open?
200mm
Situation:
Shown above is a small Coke can that we will use as a shade for the desk light. It is our
intention to use the following electrical components shown below in order to make the light
work.
Toggle
Switch
3V, Bulb &
Holder
Two 1.5 AA
Batteries and
holder
Design Brief:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Specification
A Specification is a detailed description of the problem to be solved. It should spell out exactly
what the design must achieve, whilst taking into account the design limits which will affect the
final solution. It can be in the form of a list or a written statement.
When my project is completed it should:
Spec. 1............................................
........................................................................................................................
................…………………………………………………………………
........................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
Spec. 2............................................
........................................................................................................................
................…………………………………………………………………
......................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
Spec. 3............................................
......................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
..................................……………………………………………………
......................................................................................................................
Spec. 4............................................
......................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
................…………………………………………………………………
........................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
A Child’s Desk Light
Coke can used for the shade
Additional parts required for the Desk Light:
Wooden wheel with
centre hole drilled
out.
Mirrored
Acrylic ring
a) Complete the sketch below to show clearly using a line sketch how the coke shade could be
attached to the stand?
Detail of plastic lamp stand
and scrap view of can.
Work Sheet 1
Associated Design Problems:
a) How will the stand be attached to the coke lampshade?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
b) Where will the battery holder be placed and by what methods?
_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
c) Where will the bulb and holder be placed and by what means?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
d) How will the mirrored acrylic ring be attached to the wooden wheel?
_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
e) How can we hide the wires from the switch to the bulb to the battery?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
A Child’s Desk Light
Associated Design Problems:
b) Where will the battery holder be placed and by what method?

Closely examine the size of the battery holder and look at its shape?

Remember the batteries have to be changed?

Do we wish to conceal or hide this part?
c) Where will the bulb and holder be placed and by what means?

Study the shape of this part and determine how and where it is to be placed?
d) A 50mm, diameter wooden wheel is to be placed inside one end of the coke tin being a
tight or interference-fit. Show clearly by means of sketches with added notes how the
acrylic ring will be attached to the MDF wheel?
The black plastic rivets may be considered but remember to check these for size before drilling.
What type of fit is required?
A Child’s Desk Light
Associated Design Problems:
Design of Lamp Stand
f) Sketch a number of profile sketches to determine the angles required for the lamp-stand.
Profile Ideas: -
f)
Shown below is the development for the Lamp Stand.
The dotted lines indicate the bends.
Design three different developments to show how you might change the body and the ends of the
stand to make them look more attractive!
Base
Section
Development 1
Base
Section
Development 2
Base
Section
Development 3
Base
Section
Development 4