Background

The KDC-NRMA Technology Challenge extends the Kids' Design Challenge to Stage 3 classes.

The KDC-NRMA Technology Challenge addresses learning outcomes in Science & Technology at stages 2 and 3:

• Investigating (Inv 2.7, 3.7), Design and making (DM 2.8, 3.8) and Using technology (UT2.9, 3.9)
• Physical Phenomena (PP2.4, 3.4) and Products and service (PS2.5, 3.5)

In addition, the Challenge will provide strong links with Key Learning Area stages 2 and 3:

• English: talking & listening, reading and writing factual texts
• Mathematics: especially in number, measurement and space
• PDHPE: especially related to nutrition, fitness and endurance, road safety, personal safety, sun safety, social skills, teamwork.

The challenge links the outcomes of students' scientific investigation to the design of their pushcarts.

Investigating and designing and making pushcarts

There is a wide range of information available that details the content and intentions for learning in the Physical phenomena and products and services content strands and the learning processes:

Syllabus links

• Science and Technology K-6 syllabus and support document
• Science and Technology K-6 revised outcomes published in 1997, available from Board of Studies, NSW web site
• Foundation statements for Stage 3 - these replace the syllabus Stage Statement and set out the knowledge, skills and understanding that each student should develop in Stage 3 Science and Technology.

Support materials

• Supporting SciTech in the Primary School CD-ROM:
  • Stage 2 Syllabus Outcomes and Big Ideas:
    Physical phenomena content strand and the learning processes
  • Resource Unit: Physical phenomena Refer to Section 2 - Topic E: Forces and their effects pp. 14-16
  • The full resource Supporting SciTech in the Primary School is also available online.
  
  
• Quality Teaching in NSW public schools:
  KDC Built Environment Challenge provides explicit links to the dimensions and elements of the Quality Teaching model.

Essential information

Working with your community
An important part of learning in science and technology involves linking student activities to practices in the wider community.

While students will be responsible for overall design and construction, teams are encouraged to work with school communities in the development of the pushcart. This may include other students, parents, friends, local tradespeople, community groups, etc.

Schools are encouraged to identify expertise and resources within the local community that may assist with the project. The attached sample letter may be used to identify people who might be able to help.

To assist your school in engaging in this project there may be opportunities to partner with or gain support from the local business community. If this support presents as a sponsorship opportunity refer to the DET Sponsorship of School and Departmental Activities Policy Statement and Guidelines For Implementation, or equivalent guidelines applicable in your school.

Working with industry experts
Project partners, NRMA Motoring Services and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), will be providing industry support to the project. This may include expert visitors to schools, safety scrutineering at the Challenge event and online advice.

Further details will be provided at the briefing workshops and on the Kids' Design Challenge web site.

Permission to publish student work
Before materials can be published as part of the KDC-NRMA Technology Challenge Showcase informed consent must be provided by both students and their parents or caregivers.

The form Permission to publish online provides a model that can be adapted for use at your school. Consent forms must be held at the school.