On Wednesday, 12th February, Year 4 students at St George’s School enjoyed a fun-filled and educational Design and Technology (D.T.) Day, diving deep into the world of engineering and architecture. The day was packed with hands-on activities that inspired creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving, all while embracing our D.T. curriculum visions statement:

Be passionate. 

Be respectful. 

Be determined.

Learning from Engineer Roma Agrawal

The day began with an inspiring session where students were introduced to Roma Agrawal, a leading engineer known for her groundbreaking work on iconic structures, including the famous Shard in London. The children learnt about Agrawal’s role in designing the structural framework of these monumental buildings, gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of engineering in creating safe and innovative structures.

Can Paper Be Strong?

Next, Year 4 students embarked on an exciting experiment to explore the strength of paper. The task was to create paper cylinders with different diameters, then place books on top to test their strength. The children were shocked by their results, with some cylinders holding more weight than expected. This experiment demonstrated the importance of material and design in construction.

Building on their discoveries, the students then constructed cylinders using paper straws and repeated the strength tests. They were amazed to find that cylinders, due to their shape, were incredibly strong and played an important role in architecture—particularly in columns, which provide stability and support in many buildings. Students carefully recorded their findings, exploring how various designs affect the strength and functionality of structures.

Shape Testing with Matchsticks and Clay

The third activity involved a creative challenge where students used matchsticks and modelling clay to construct different shapes. After building their models, they tested which one was the strongest. The children quickly discovered that the triangle was the strongest shape—a crucial insight in the field of architecture, where triangles are commonly used for their stability and ability to bear heavy loads.

Building Structural Frameworks

The final activity of the day challenged the students to apply all their learning by working in teams to create their own structural frameworks. Using matchsticks and modelling clay, the children designed and built their structures, experimenting with different shapes and techniques. When a structure collapsed, they didn’t give up. Instead, they displayed perseverance by diagnosing the problem and making improvements to strengthen their designs. This hands-on approach helped the students to understand the importance of trial, error, and innovation in the engineering process.

Throughout D.T. Day, the Year 4 students embodied the core values of Be Innovative, Be Hands-On, and Be Diagnostic, demonstrating creativity, collaboration, and a willingness to learn through experimentation. It was an exciting and insightful day that sparked a passion for engineering and design—who knows, perhaps one of these budding engineers will go on to design the next great architectural marvel!