Programmable Control Open Design Brief
GCSE D&T resource using an open brief on improving shopping to teach programmable control with Crumble, Genie and PICAXE, including notes, code and slides.
Programmable Control Open Design Brief
Ages 13-15
First published 2018
The subject content for the GCSE in D&T requires pupils to know and understand:
- how electronic systems provide functionality to products and processes, including sensors and control devices to respond to a variety of inputs, and devices to produce a range of outputs
- the use of programmable components to embed functionality into products in order to enhance and customise their operation
This resource is designed to support teachers new to programmable control and embedded intelligence. It introduces the key ideas in the context of an open design brief in the wider context of ‘Improving the shopping experience’.
This example of a contextual challenge allows pupils to begin designing in contexts and develop design ideas to solve a problem. It provides an excellent opportunity to use programming and control as preparation for the non-examined assessment for the D&T GCSEs.
The resource contains:
- Teacher notes including an outline scheme of work; examples of open, moderately open and closed briefs; general programming notes for three popular microcontrollers: Crumble, Genii and PICAXE.
- A PowerPoint presentation introducing the brief and likely programmable control solutions and materials
- Programme notes for each of the Crumble, Genii and PICAXE controllers.
- Example code for a range of activities that pupils can use and adapt using the controller of choice.
This item is a download.