| <10> | <30> | <30> | <30> | <30> | <30> | <30> | <30> |
| Level | Research | Circuit Design | CAD | Circuit Manufacture | 3D Fabrication | Programming | Test & Evaluate |
|---|
| Yin-Yang | Select a variety of appropriate sources of information, | Independently design efficiently routed multi-IC PCBs, using both digital and analogue components. | Design and, create and refine a self-contained electromechanical system using 2D and 3D CAD where appropriate. | Independently diagnose and repair complex PCB issues. | Independently construct complex electromechanical systems, modifying designs in response to problems as they occur and with a high level of finish. | Create complex PIC programs using advanced components, debugging and working autonomously. | Use data from testing to further enhance and refine work. |
| Independently identify sub-systems and materials used when analysing pre-existing products, | Test circuit designs both in software and on breadboards, | | | Make and use jigs or formers where appropriate to facilitate high-quality products | Use text-based PIC programming language for all programs. | Draw conclusions from client feedback to further develop work. |
| Interview/Question target audience to inform design, | Use a breadboard to troubleshoot and develop any circuit. | | | Design and implement substantial modifications to enhance the functionality of the product. | | Compare finished work to specification and critically evaluate findings. |
| Produce a detailed profile of the target market for a product, | | | | | | Write detailed, critial evaluations and self-evaluations of own performance, |
| Produce a comprehensive specification for a product, justifying all points, | | | | | | Independently identify and implement areas for improvement based on the above. |
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| Violet | Independently compare and contrast pre-existing products, identifying their relative strengths and weaknesses. | Independently design efficient PIC controlled PCBs, using a variety of input and output components. | Independently design and create a functioning mechanism in CAD. | Use a variety of tools and techniques to diagnose problems, and suggest solutions. | Design and implement modifications to a project to further enhance their aesthetic appeal. | Invent and refine appropriate PIC programs independently. | Summarise and reflect on the results of testing to suggest improvements where appropriate. |
| Describe the target audience for a product, | Reverse engineer a PCB designed by a third party back to a circuit diagram. | Explain the impact of CAD on modern manufacturing. | Write and use test programs for PIC circuits. | Discuss ways sustainability can be built into a product. | Use a text-based language to write a short PIC program. | |
| Use organisational charts to track and evaluate performance throughout a project. | Use breadboards where appropriate to model any given circuit. | | | | | Evaluate work, identifying areas of strength, weakness and possible improvement. |
| | | | | | | Suggest ways in which a project could be mass-produced |
| Indigo | Analyse different pre-existing products, identifying strengths, weaknesses and how they work. | Design PIC controlled circuits, and produce PCBs to control them. | Independently design and create a static CAD model (e.g. a housing). | Produce working boards to a high standard, ensuring wires are correctly dressed and soldering is tidy. | Independently produce fully working, high quality products. | Use subroutines in programs where appropriate. | Write and implement a detailed test plan which covers all aspects of the system. |
| Create an organisational (e.g. Gantt) chart to plan progress throughout a project. | Follow a PCB created by a third party, and identify some of the outputs and inputs. | Modify a pre-existing design to incorporate new mechanisms or linkages. | Demonstrate the ability to use a multimeter to measure potential difference, resistance and to test for continuity. | | | Suggest modifications in light of comments from target market feedback |
| | Select and justify the use of a range of methods of simulating a circuit when developing ideas. | Use CAD to conduction a build an original model, and conduct a motion study on a mechanism. | Interpret analogue input data when testing PIC circuits connected to a computer. | | | |
| Blue | Plan work during a project, so that the deadline is met. | Independently design a simple circuit to meet a brief. | Create multiple connecting parts using a CAD package. | Confidently and consistently solder components to a high standard. | Identify problems when making, and suggest possible solutions. | Independently write PIC programs which handle both digital and analogue data. | Write and implement a basic test plan, stating expected results. |
| | Use a breadboard to model a circuit containing an IC, with assistance. | Modify a pre-existing design to change its aesthetic. | Apply basic diagnostic techniques (e.g. visual inspection) to QA and troubleshoot PCBs. | Produce challenging, high-quality, working products with very limited teacher assistance. | Test programs both in simulations and live, adapting code to compensate for any differences as needed. | Obtain feedback from the target market for a project. |
| | Design stripboard circuits for simple analogue circuits. | Use 3D modelling to render a project. | Use built-in device control to test digital PIC circuit I/O. | | | |
| Green | Demonstrate organisational skills during a project. | Modify a PCB to make its layout more efficient. | Apply CAD techniques to aid in a design brief. | Solder more challenging components (e.g. ICs) to a PCB, with assistance. | Produce a working model from parts supplied by a teacher, with limited assistance. | With assistance, write programs to handle inputs in a PIC circuit | Write a list of tests that could be performed on a product. |
| Research a project in a variety of ways (e.g. questionnaire, product analysis, investigation). | Use a breadboard to model a simple circuit (e.g. LED torch), with assistance. | Demontrate the use of a 2D and 3D design package within a project. | Describe the purpose of a multimeter. | | | Obtain feedback on a project from a peer. |
| | Describe the operation of a given simple circuit, in terms of its components. | | Connect a PIC circuit to a computer to test connectivity. | | | |
| | Explain the terms voltage, current and resistance. | | | | | |
| Yellow | Conduct some relevant research on a project, with assistance. | Design a PCB layout for a simple circuit, with assistance. | Use a CAD package to draw shapes accurately to specified dimensions. | Identify and solder simple components (e.g. resistors) to PCBs, with assistance. | Select appropriate tools and equipment to accomplish tasks, justifying the choice. | With assistance, write a simple program to manipulate outputs | Identify areas for improvement in a project, with assistance. |
| | Explain the purpose of software simulations and breadboard simulations of a circuit. | | Describe the correct technique for soldering a component to a PCB or to stripboard. | | | |
| | Name three ways of developing a circuit (e.g. breadboard, PCB, software, stripboard) | | | | | |
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| Orange | Outline some of the steps to be undertaken as part of research. | Draw basic circuit diagrams (e.g. an LED torch) with assistance. | Use a CAD package to draw geometric shapes. | Identify basic electronic components by sight. | Describe the purpose of different tools and machines. | Identify the main flowchart shapes. | Identify areas of a piece of work which are good and bad. |
| Comment on some aspects of an existing product, with assistance. | | | | | | Test some aspects of a piece of work, with assistance. |
| Red | Define key research terms. E.g. Target Market, Product Analysis, Specification. | Identify several electronic components, with assistance. | Identify the difference between 2D and 3D CAD packages | Identify health and safety rules in a workshop, | Identify several tools and machines in the workshop | Know that PIC chips use sequences of instructions to manipulate I/O components. | Identify the purpose of testing a product. |
| Categorise materials as wood, plastic, manmade board, metal and so on. | | | | Work safely in the workshop, selecting appropriate protective clothing. | | |