DT+Project+1+Solar+Cooker

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Design Project 1 Solar Cooker
Use links [|How Stuff Works - Solar Cookers]
 * Design Task:** Research, design and make a prototype solar cooker/oven which you must test with a suitable food product.
 * [[image:solar_cooker3.jpg]] || [[image:solar_cooker1.jpg width="249" height="207"]] ||
 * [[image:solar_cooker_photo1.jpg width="241" height="194"]] || [[image:solar_cooker2.jpg width="253" height="202"]] ||

**Identification and Exploration of the Need**
Write a page outlining the problems associated with the need you have identified. Outline the deficiencies of current solutions. Explain what possible implications these deficiencies create for the user, for the society and for the environment.You may find that conducting an interview, survey or questionnaire of the target market may help you establish the existence of a genuine NEED.

**Areas of Investigation**

 * List the areas you think you need to investigate?
 * Explain how you would best investigate these areas?
 * State the reason for Investigation / Relationship to the Need

**Criteria to Evaluate Success**

 * (A Series of Questions which help you evaluate your Final Design)**
 * State the criteria, which you intend to use to evaluate the success of your design. __List them in order of importance__. State them in two groups – Functional Criteria and Aesthetic Criteria
 * State how you intend to evaluate the success of each criterion.
 * State how you would establish the total success of your design solution

**Action / Time Plan**
Formulate and evaluate well-documented plans to keep you on track. An aim should be written prior to your Action / Time Plan. The A/T Plan is usually a spreadsheet layout but they could be far more interesting and effective if presented graphically (Ch8) Whatever method you use, it must be clearly understood by the examiner. (See sheet provided) Many students use timelines, coloured charts & graphs, symbols and an Overview Plan then a more detailed Time Plan.

**Finance Plan**

 * Proposed Finance Plan: You need to indicate how you intend to finance your project on both an individual basis and a mass production one. Then layout clear evidence of your research of the materials you intend to use and the costs. You DO NOT guess costs. Establish costs by contacting suppliers and documenting these prices from a number of suppliers. A reason should be given indicating why you have made the decisions you have. A sample table has been shown below. The better students will include a contact name and phone number of the suppliers they contact. You might have one table for estimates (costs calculated on general quantities) and another table for actual costs.
 * Actual Finances Documented: This is a spreadsheet showing the actual costs + receipts if appropriate. A conclusion should be added justifying the decisions you made and whether you would change them if you did it again. Of course the same spreadsheet can be refined from the one shown above if you save it on your computer.

**Evidence of Creativity and Innovation**

 * Ideation, Creative Ideas, Brainstorming, Mind Mapping, Degree of Difference, Possibilities are recorded here in many forms – sketches, photos, models, formulae for calculations etc…
 * Construct a **Model** of your concept

**Consideration of Design Factors**

 * **Critically analyse** a wide range of design factors relevant to your design project. What specific factors are pertinent to your design project? (Ch13).

**Documentation of Research**
Download and use the example format below to show the research for each of the Areas of Investigation.
 * Investigation and Research of the Areas you listed for investigation happens here. Design ideas, Materials, Tools and Techniques may need to be documented. Each area should start on a new page with an:
 * AIM
 * METHOD
 * RESEARCH
 * ANALYSIS and
 * EVALUATION

**Evidence of Experimentation & Testing for design solutions**

 * Choose at least one experiment and document it. Write this up like a science experiment – Aim, Method, Research, Analysis and a Conclusion. Can you think of a pertinent test that would help you make a more informed decision about some aspect of your design?

**Identification and Justification of ideas and resources**

 * You must explain why you are using the resources you decide to use. Have you justified (with good reason) the resources you used? Use a table to keep information succinct.

**Communication**

 * Throughout your Design Portfolio should display a range of techniques e.g. Brainstorming, testing, sketching, working drawings, photos, movies etc… For DP1, you are required to produce a short movie to explain your design solution.

**Evidence of Practical Skills**

 * Evidence** and application of **practical skills** to produce a quality product. This will be seen in your product but should also be outlined in a photographic, or step-by-step sequence, which shows you doing the work and what was involved. See manufacture table sample

**Section 3 Evaluation**

 * Record of Evaluation Procedures**
 * Colour code anywhere in your portfolio where you make a critical evaluation or conclusion – Your conclusions in each section are an example of ongoing evaluation.
 * Analysis & Evaluation of Aesthetic and Functional Criteria**
 * Physical testing of your product (get target group to test it) and collect their views and opinions about your product - show this clearly using photographs.
 * You must analyse and critically evaluate all of the aesthetic and functional criteria you set at the beginning. Explain how well each point is/is not addressed.
 * Explain how well the product performs in use.
 * Summarise your conclusions at the end of the product; did you successfully address your brief and specification?
 * Suggest realistic improvements based on the weaknesses and limitations you identified.
 * Produce a diagram/sketches/CAD that shows what modifications / improvements still need to be made to the product – could also include modified specifications


 * Final Evaluation Statement**
 * Critically evaluate the impact of the DP on the Society. How does your product impact society? The term society may mean an individual, small group, larger group (town / city) national or global community.
 * Critically evaluate the impact of the DP on the Environment. Environment refers to both the space that the design operates in and the area, which may be affected around where the product is mass-produced.