Option 2: Pneumatic toys
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Option 2: Pneumatic toys
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Draw accurate diagrams with correct labels, arrows and explanations.
- Correctly identify definitions for key terms.
- Identify five appropriate design criteria.
- Communicate two ideas using thumbnail sketches.
- Communicate and develop one idea using an exploded diagram.
- Select appropriate equipment and materials to build a working pneumatic system.
- Assemble their pneumatic system within the housing to create the desired motion.
- Create a finished pneumatic toy that fulfills the design brief.
Suggested prior learning
Mechanisms: Making a moving monster
Get startedLesson plans
Lesson 1: Exploring pneumatics
- To understand how pneumatic systems work.
Lesson 2: Designing a pneumatic toy
- To design a toy that uses a pneumatic system.
Lesson 3: Making pneumatic toys
- To create a pneumatic system.
Lesson 4: Decorating and assembling my toy
- To test and finalise ideas against design criteria.
Key skills
Key knowledge
Related content
Resources
Unit resources
Design and technology
Knowledge organiser: DT – Y3 Pneumatic toys
A pupil-facing document, condensing the key facts and definitions from this Year 3 Mechanisms: Pneumatic toys unit, including an example…
Design and technology
Vocabulary display: Pneumatic toys
A display version of the key vocabulary from the Pneumatic toys unit.
Cross-curricular opportunities
None relevant to this unit.
Build on the learning
Option 2: Making a slingshot car
Pupils build on their understanding of designing to create a functioning car chassis using pneumatic systems for KS2.