The aims of the Department are to:

• Provide an opportunity for students of all ages and abilities to fulfil their potential in Design & Technology.
• Provide a fun and interesting learning experience for students.
• To equip students with the necessary skills to ably complete 'Product Design' exercises.
• To develop an awareness of how D&T contributes to life in the outside world.
• To establish an awareness of careers in the field of D&T.

Please click here to see photographs of some of last year's projects

Freddie Main BEd: Head of Design & Technology
Mr Main has been teaching D&T since September 2001. He has several years' experience as a residential boarding tutor, including four as an Assistant Housemaster. A keen rugby player himself, he coaches senior rugby here and has coached the 3rdXV, 2nd XV, U16A XV and the 1st XV.

Adam Dickson BEd 
Mr Dickson joined Merchiston in September 2006, and also teaches Electronics.  He coaches rugby at Merchiston and is a tutor in Evans House. Mr Dickson runs the Construction Challenge and Go4SET activities.

Nick Burt - Technician
In addition to his regular departmental duties, Mr Burt helps with Drama set design and manufacture and assists with the Go4SET projects.

We have two main teaching areas, the main workshop and the junior workshop/design/theory room. We also have a dedicated welding bay in which we do arc and mig welding as well as other forms of heat treatment and dip coating.

Other features of the Department include two pieces of CAD/CAM equipment in the STIKA machine, which is a vinyl sticker plotter and the Roland MODELA, which is like a mini CNC milling machine.  We will be investing in a laser cutter for the year 2011-12, which will greatly enhance the students' opportunities in product design and manufacturing.

We also have a Sinclair C5 which is used for product analysis (and a bit of fun!) in the Sixth Form.

I to III Forms: The courses meet the Curriculum requirements as specified by 4-18 National Guidelines and the English National Curriculum.  The aim of the courses is to enable each pupil to gain and develop an understanding and experience of the many aspects of Design and Technology in a creative manner. In each Form, the following skills are assessed: Problem solving; Technological; Creative; Communication; Planning; Practical.

IV Form: The Design and Technology course offered in the Fourth Form comprises of two main projects. The first is an electronic buggy which is done in tandem with Electronics, where the manufacture of the chassis and body is done in Design and Technology and the manufacture and programming of the circuit is done in Electronics. The second project is the manufacture of a two piece toffee hammer. During this project the students will learn GCSE standard skills in shaping metal, drilling, cutting internal and external screw threads in steel as well as the dip coating process.

Shell & V Forms: Design and Technology is offered as a GCSE subject, with Resistant Materials being the focal point of the course content. The course content is delivered through a combination of theory lessons to cover the 'Knowledge and Understanding' aspect of the subject and 'Practical Work' to help you develop your designing and manufacturing skills.

VI Form: Product Design is offered at AS, A2 and Higher levels and can very much be an opportunity for students to develop their own concepts into genuine solutions. Real-life skills such as pitching and presentation techniques are taught and the students learn about intellectual property rights in addition to research skills, designing, modelling and manufacturing. This equips them with the tools required to further develop their concepts in the future along with their entrepreneurial skills.

The Department takes part in many national competitions and wins prizes each year. This year's successes include:

Young Engineers for Britain  

Group 2 (GCSE): Lewis M - "Collapsible goalposts" -  Overall winner
Group 2 (GCSE): James M - "Dirt bike transporter" - Runner up

Lewis also won a special prize sponsored by the Scottish Government for "Scotland's best engineering project".                                                                                                                                              

Group 1 (A-level): Daniel W - "Twin kayak transporter (C-Trolley)"  - Overall winner
Group 1 (A-level): Hugh G - "Pickup tool security" - Runner up

Hugh also won the CREST Gold award for the best Engineering and Technology project
Lewis and Hugh have been invited to represent Scotland at the British final next year

CREST awards (CREativity in Science and Technology)

SILVER

James M - GCSE (Dirt bike transporter)
Lewis M - GCSE (Collapsible goalposts)
Matthew M - GCSE (Bicycle storage system)
Angus S - GCSE (Sack truck)
Lewis N - GCSE (Bagpipe case)
William C - GCSE (Bike repair stand)

Eco-Classroom:

Tom B - Go4SET
Cameron W - Go4SET
George T - Go4SET
Louie T - Go4SET
Sharav S - Go4SET                 

GOLD

Hugh G - Pickup tool security system
Daniel W - Twin kayak transporter

Arkwright Scholarships

Continuing scholars: Angus P and Christopher S

New Scholars:

In-school awards:

Student of the Term Award

This award was introduced to encourage healthy competition and good practice within the D&T department. There are prizes available for the Junior School (1st to 4th Form), GCSE (Shell and 5th Form) and the Senior School (Lower and Upper Sixth Form).

The award is given to a student who displays at least one of the following qualities:

• Outstanding commitment to the department (non-contact time, activities, prep sessions etc.)
• Outstanding independence and quality of work
• Significant effort and improvement

The awards themselves are made by members of the department using hardwood (usually oak or teak), a cast pewter medallion with the school crest on and an engraved plaque with the student's name on.