Paul & Julie Boyd
Boyd Education

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The Latest Website Updates and Free Resource Downloads

An editable PowerPoint resource on biomimicry is the latest FREE resource to be added to our BoydCreate shop website. This resource includes both information and activity handouts. Download the resource from our BoydCreate shop website (look for the 'Inspired By: Biomimicry’ resource in the free resources section)

There are also lots of other free resources on our BoydCreate shop website (including some that might support kick starting how thinking around the NEA). Don’t forget the Let’s Learn section on our Boyd Education website which also includes resources and links to useful videos.

Some of This Week’s Thinking Points and Photos on Instagram

Like our Instagram page for regular D&T updates & resources

See our latest Instagram updates which include thinking points and photos all linked to D&T (account isn’t needed to access the page). 

To see all of these updates visit our Instagram page

Did You See These Posts On Our Facebook Page?

Like our Facebook page for regular D&T updates & resources

See our latest Facebook updates (Facebook account isn’t needed to access the page). 

• Links on designing products based on meeting a real user need e.g. the eFoldi lightweight, folding, powered mobility scooter, the Able Label adaptive clothing website for those with reduced finger dexterity and joint discomfort who find traditional clothing difficult to access, the Foot Defender medical boot that has been designed with aesthetics in mind as well as functionality. 
• Design linked to the new Elizabeth Line e.g. iconic wool moquette seating and architecture.
• Vogue’s collection of 208 of the outfits from the Met Gala - lots of great talking points & inspiration for students interested in fashion (including some menswear).
• Nike’s ISPA Link collection of modular trainers designed to be easy to disassemble, and which use interlocking parts rather than glue, as part of their move towards a more circular economy. 
  
  

To see all of these updates visit our Facebook page

OUR CPD COURSES COMING UP THIS TERM
We only have 2 courses left this term with any spaces so be sure to book your place soon!

All resources including images, text & names, are the copyright of Boyd Education & can only be used by teachers in their classrooms, or by students as part of their studies. Resources must not be shared, sold, or used in any other way, without permission. 

Want to contact us?

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Like our Facebook page or sign up to our D&T newsletter to be the first to hear when new free resources are released.

This Week’s Website Update and Free Resource Downloads

More free resources have been uploaded to our new BoydCreate shop website. The resources support learning on smart and modern materials, technical textiles and composites. They have previously been given away but only as PDFs and the new versions are in an editable PowerPoint format so teachers can personalise them for their own classroom. Each resource follows a similar format with 4 slide handouts including a summary of basic knowledge and 3 activity sheets. This format is similar to the one used for other free resources already on the website. Don’t forget there are also other resources to support learning on the Smart, Modern & Technical Materials section of our Boyd Education website. 

Download individual resources by clicking on the images below or visit the free resource section in our shop to see all available downloads.

Download the resources on smart materials                               

Download the resources modern materials

Download the resources technical textiles

Download the resources composites

Did You See These Posts On Our Facebook Page?

Like our Facebook page for regular D&T updates & resources

See our latest Facebook updates (Facebook account isn’t needed to access the page). 

• Islabikes, set up by former professional cyclist and triple British cyclo-cross champion Isla Rowntree, aims to make cycling more accessible for any one with restricted growth, shorter people, and children all of whom might find getting on and off a traditional bike difficult, along with difficulty changing gear and reaching brakes
• Brux packaging design concept that allows the easier separation of materials for recycling
  
• Flat pack furniture that assembles itself over 8 - 12 hours. 
  
• Flat pack with a difference - habitat pods designed to provide an instant refuge for native animals left exposed and vulnerable after a bushfire
  
• Wearable art competition that has lots of great inspiration for students
• Collaboration between Crocs and sneaker designer Salehe Bembury whose design will be the first time the Croc shape has seen a significant design change.

To see all of these updates visit our Facebook page

OUR CPD COURSES COMING UP THIS TERM - NEW DATES ADDED

Look at the face to face and blended learning courses we offer with NEW DATES for all our courses, as well as a NEW CRUMBLE MICROCONTROLLER COURSE

Blended Learning CPD
Our blended learning courses are equivalent to a one day training course with 2 hours live online training plus a programme of at least 4 hours of self directed study activities. 

Live Face to Face CPD

We also run traditional one day face to face courses in venues across the country

All resources including images, text & names, are the copyright of Boyd Education & can only be used by teachers in their classrooms, or by students as part of their studies. Resources must not be shared, sold, or used in any other way, without permission. 

Want to contact us?

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Like our Facebook page or sign up to our D&T newsletter to be the first to hear when new free resources are released.

Website Updates

A belated happy new year to everyone for our first blog for 2022!

We’ve been quiet recently as we’ve been busy working on updating our main Boyd Education website, as well as producing a new one called BoydCreate. 

Our Boyd Education main website will continue to focus on teaching and learning in D&T, as well as curriculum planning, and the new BoydCreate website will be our ‘shop’, as well where course bookings are processed. 

The Boyd Education and BoydCreate websites are linked together, and in most cases you won’t notice a lot of difference when using the website, but this set up gives us more functionality and should make the admin side of things easier for both ourselves and anyone using the sites. In particular we’re hoping it might make it easier for people to find our free downloads which we hope to continue to develop. 

We’ve been doing lots of tests of the new systems but the real test will be when they start being used so if you come across any niggles or things that don’t work let us know.

At the moment there’s still lots to do on both websites, especially BoydCreate where we’ll be uploading lots more resources over the coming weeks.

See the free downloads that have been uploaded so far

Competition Prize Giving

Before Christmas it was a real pleasure to present the Product in a Tin competition prizes to Hannah from Wirral Grammar School for Girls. Huge thanks to Coles Sewing Centre, Husqvarna Viking (UK & Eire) for sponsoring the Jade20 sewing machine prize and Mindsets (UK) Ltd for sponsoring the class set of Crumble kits. Hannah also got a selection of design related prizes of her own and a gift voucher.

NOTE THAT THIS COMPETITION IS NO LONGER RUNNING but resources are still on the website and can be used as a module of work.

Courses for the Spring Term

We've just released new dates in our course calendar for our curriculum planning course, as well as our course for textiles specialists looking for support to deliver the D&T GCSE core content. Both of these are blended learning courses with a 2 hour live online session (which includes practical activities and material samples) along with a programme of self directed study. 

We also have a face to face sewing machine maintenance course coming up in Nottingham in a few weeks and hope to release dates in the next week for this course to run in Liverpool and London.

Did You See These Posts On Our Facebook Page?

Like our Facebook page for regular D&T updates & resources

See our latest Facebook updates (Facebook account isn’t needed to access the page). 

• Tom Lloyd talking about the role designers have responding to change and how he believes design takes a lead role in transitioning to a balanced and equitable system where models of production, distribution, ownership and consumption are changing.
  
• New exhibition at the Tate 'Life Between Islands: Caribean-British Art 1950s - Now' 
• We think of airbags in the context of cars and motorbikes but air bag and sensor technology is also be used to protect from hip fractures. 
• Norris Santa Ford is a great inspiration for boys interested in textiles. He’s super cool and his website includes patterns designed by him along with ‘sew-along’ videos.
• Free download on SCAMPER from Doodle. There are also a range of other free downloads on the website 
• Article with a useful video and information on designers working with innovative materials that are alternatives to regenerated fibres that rely on cutting down trees

To see all of these updates visit our Facebook page

OUR CPD COURSES COMING UP THIS TERM
Look at the face to face, blended learning and distance learning options we offer. 

Blended Learning CPD

Live Face to Face CPD

We also hope to release dates for this course in Liverpool & London over the next week

All resources including images, text & names, are the copyright of Boyd Education & can only be used by teachers in their classrooms, or by students as part of their studies. Resources must not be shared, sold, or used in any other way, without permission. 

Want to contact us?

Return to main blog page to see all blogs

Like our Facebook page or sign up to our D&T newsletter to be the first to hear when new free resources are released.

This Week’s Website Update and Free Resource Downloads

This week there have been more updates on our website linked to COP26 and in particular different sections of the renewable energy section have been added to. Updates include some great videos from the Student Energy You Tube page as well as TechDoodle and #ThinkDo free resource downloads (these resources can be found across several of the renewable energy sections). 

Some of This Week’s Thinking Points and Photos on Instagram

Like our Instagram page for regular D&T updates & resources

See our latest Instagram updates which include thinking points and photos all linked to D&T (account isn’t needed to access the page). 

To see all of these updates visit our Instagram page

Did You See These Posts On Our Facebook Page?

Like our Facebook page for regular D&T updates & resources

See our latest Facebook updates (Facebook account isn’t needed to access the page). 

• #COP26 31 Oct - 12 Nov
  
  • Launch of the DfE draft Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy that aims to put climate change at the heart of the education system. 
  • Resources by the British Council which include some on renewable energy as well as a set of climate change challenges which might be useful for a homework, starter activity or as discussion prompts
• Fascinating infographic (& the full article has more info) on the amount of metals mined in an average year
• Tyres being recycled into floor tiles
• Infographic on the history of artificial intelligence
• Blog by Neil Coles from Coles Sewing Centre in Nottingham with tips on using an overlocker. Neil delivers our sewing machine servicing and maintenance course along with Paul. Meet him at our next course in London on 8th December and 9th February in Nottingham
• Video on lithium batteries which includes both advantages and disadvantages
• Exhibition in Birmingham 26th - 28th November by textile artist Oliver Bliss
  
  

To see all of these updates visit our Facebook page

Our Product in a Tin Competition is Taking a Break 

Our Product in a Tin competition will not be running for the foreseeable future. It’s been been a big success but takes a lot of organising, something that has become more of challenge due to impact of the pandemic. The competition is therefore taking a break to allow us to focus on our other work. The resources will remain on the website for schools to use as a module of work or as a competition within their own school.

See the 2020/2021 winners of our Product in a Tin Competition

OUR CPD COURSES COMING UP THIS TERM
Look at the face to face, blended learning and distance learning options we offer. 

Blended Learning CPD

Our blended learning courses are equivalent to a one day training course with 2 hours live online training plus at least 4 hours of self directed study activities. This type of course is ideal if you find it hard to get released from school or if you are looking for resources to provide you with a programme of activities as part of a personal directed time CPD programme. Click on each course to find out more. 

Live Face to Face CPD

We're currently only able to offer a limited number of face to face courses although we hope to be able to increase the number of these in the spring and summer term next year. Click on the course to find out more.

Although we currently only offer a limited number of face to face courses on our course calendar, if you're looking for face to face training and can get together at least 6 participants, e.g. your department or a local group of teachers, along with providing a suitable room, we can run the following one day face to face courses for your group:

• Practical Approaches to D&T Theory
• Planning & Auditing Your D&T Curriculum
• Supporting Textiles Specialists to Deliver D&T GCSE Core Content
• Using the Crumble microcontroller in D&T
  
  

For more details on how we can run the above courses at your school see the link to the information sheet on each of the course pages.

Distance Learning CPD Courses

Our distance learning CPD courses can be worked through at your own pace without the need for time out of school and without travel and accommodation costs. 

Visit our full course calendar

All resources including images, text & names, are the copyright of Boyd Education & can only be used by teachers in their classrooms, or by students as part of their studies. Resources must not be shared, sold, or used in any other way, without permission. 

Want to contact us?

Return to main blog page to see all blogs

Like our Facebook page or sign up to our D&T newsletter to be the first to hear when new free resources are released.

This Week’s Website Update and Free Resource Downloads

This week more TechDoodle resources on properties of materials have been added to the ‘Everyday Products that Mix Materials’ page on the website. These are three new resources that have not been shared before.

Some of This Week’s Thinking Points and Photos on Instagram

Like our Instagram page for regular D&T updates & resources

See our latest Instagram updates which include thinking points and photos all linked to D&T (account isn’t needed to access the page). 

To see all of these updates visit our Instagram page

Did You See These Posts On Our Facebook Page?

Like our Facebook page for regular D&T updates & resources

See our latest Facebook updates (Facebook account isn’t needed to access the page). 

• #BlackHistoryMonth
  • Transport for London & the Black Cultural Archives have teamed up to release a Black history version of its iconic tube map with 272 Black creators, leaders and trailblazers. The map can be downloaded as a PDF from the website which also includes more information about each person listed on the map.
  • Lubaina Himid’s Dutch wax fabric installation at Gawthorpe Hall in Lancashire is part of the British Textile Biennial throughout October. Her work celebrates the contribution black people have made to life in Europe and the 400 metres of African cloth represent the movement of oceans and rivers that transported cotton across the world, along with the links African cloth has to the flow of labour, trade and money.
• Great video on why recyling plastic bottles into clothes isn't the long term answer to the plastics problem and why more sustainable long term solutions are needed.
• Free image resources from the Smithsonian Institution
• The book 'Tools for Food' by Corinne Mynatt looks interesting - it explores the design history of everyday kitchen utensils and this link takes you to an article which has a few snippets on some of the products covered in the book
• U-turn by the DfE on initial teacher training bursaries, including one for D&T. 
• Andrew Kenny, winner of this year’s ‘Changemaker’ prize sponsored by Swarovski, talking about his work at The London Embroidery Studio producing bespoke hand and machine embroidery. 
• The ‘Sustainable Futures Innovation Challenge’ is a sustainability competition where students solve a design problem based on one of four themes: travel & transport, food systems, our homes & habits, our lifestyles & what we consume. The competition is for 9 - 14 year olds and the closing date is 1st February 2022. 

To see all of these updates visit our Facebook page

Our Product in a Tin Competition is Taking a Break 

Our Product in a Tin competition will not be running for the foreseeable future. It’s been been a big success but takes a lot of organising, something that has become more of challenge due to impact of the pandemic. The competition is therefore taking a break to allow us to focus on our other work. The resources will remain on the website for schools to use as a module of work or as a competition within their own school.

See the 2020/2021 winners of our Product in a Tin Competition

OUR CPD COURSES COMING UP THIS TERM
Look at the face to face, blended learning and distance learning options we offer. 

Blended Learning CPD

Our blended learning courses are equivalent to a one day training course with 2 hours live online training plus at least 4 hours of self directed study activities. This type of course is ideal if you find it hard to get released from school or if you are looking for resources to provide you with a programme of activities as part of a personal directed time CPD programme. Click on each course to find out more. 

Resources included with the Planning & Auditing Your D&T Curriculum course include :

• Curriculum audit tools for KS3 & D&T GCSE, as well as audit tools to evaluate prior learning at KS2 and to reflect on progression onto A level. 
• Material samples & resources to carry out interactive activities in the live online session 
• Detailed guidance on carrying out follow up activities as part of a self directed learning programme (these activities may also be suitable to support department activities)

Live Face to Face CPD

We're currently only able to offer a limited number of face to face courses although we hope to be able to increase the number of these in the spring and summer term next year. Click on the course to find out more.

Although we currently only offer a limited number of face to face courses on our course calendar, if you're looking for face to face training and can get together at least 6 participants, e.g. your department or a local group of teachers, along with providing a suitable room, we can run the following one day face to face courses for your group:

• Practical Approaches to D&T Theory
• Planning & Auditing Your D&T Curriculum
• Supporting Textiles Specialists to Deliver D&T GCSE Core Content
• Using the Crumble microcontroller in D&T
  
  

For more details on how we can run the above courses at your school see the link to the information sheet on each of the course pages. 

Distance Learning CPD Courses

Our distance learning CPD courses can be worked through at your own pace without the need for time out of school and without travel and accommodation costs. 

Visit our full course calendar

All resources including images, text & names, are the copyright of Boyd Education & can only be used by teachers in their classrooms, or by students as part of their studies. Resources must not be shared, sold, or used in any other way, without permission. 

Want to contact us?

Return to main blog page to see all blogs

Like our Facebook page or sign up to our D&T newsletter to be the first to hear when new free resources are released.

This Week’s Website Update and Free Resource Downloads

The updated pages on our website this week have a focus on World Space Week and include resources on materials that all have links to space technologies including Gore-tex, titanium and metal foam. They include resources we created for the National STEM Learning Centre that were sponsored by the European Space Education Resource Centre (ESERO). 

You can also see the full collection of resources we created on the National STEM Learning Centre website. Although they have an 'inspired by space' theme they cover most of the smart, modern and technical materials mentioned in the D&T GCSE specs.

Some of This Week’s Thinking Points and Photos on Instagram

Like our Instagram page for regular D&T updates & resources

See our latest Instagram updates which include thinking points and photos all linked to D&T (account isn’t needed to access the page). 

To see all of these updates visit our Instagram page

Did You See These Posts On Our Facebook Page?

Like our Facebook page for regular D&T updates & resources

See our latest Facebook updates (Facebook account isn’t needed to access the page). 

• Sometimes the simple design ideas are the best - Joseph Joseph's reusable water bottle has a lid that is designed to slot over the bottle to stop you from losing it & which also acts as a handle & hanging loop
• Useful short video on automated prodcution lines - covers pencil, prepacked salad meals and Tesla cars
  
• Useful mini challenge from Design Ventura for years 7 & 8 with fortnightly winners announced right through to February (and the receive a little prize). Great for a homework, cover work or as a one off lesson.
  
• World Space Week takes place annually from October 4 – 11 & this year’s theme celebrates ‘Women in Space’. This is a good opportunity to consider some of the high tech innovations developed for space travel that have eventually influenced technology used back on earth.
  
• If you are in the East Lancashire area October is the British Textile Biennial which is a range of exhibitions and installations across the area telling the story of textiles, fashion and identity. 
  

To see all of these updates visit our Facebook page

Our Product in a Tin Competition is Taking a Break 

What a great end to our Product in a Tin competition as Husqvarna Viking and Coles Sewing Centre who sponsor part of the prize have upgraded the sewing machine prize to a Husqvarna Viking Jade 20 worth £600. What fantastic news for this year’s winning school! 

The competition is taking a break for now as it takes a lot of organising, something that has become more of challenge due to impact of the pandemic. We have therefore had to make the difficult decision to stop the competition for now to allow us to focus on our other work. We hope the competition will return but in the meantime the resources will remain on the website for schools to use as a module of work or as a competition within their own school. See the 2020/2021 winners of our Product in a Tin Competition

OUR CPD COURSES COMING UP THIS TERM
Look at the face to face, blended learning and distance learning options we offer. 

Blended Learning CPD

Our blended learning courses are equivalent to a one day training course with 2 hours live online training plus at least 4 hours of self directed study activities.

Live Face to Face CPD

The continuing challenges of the pandemic means we are currently only able to offer our Introduction to Servicing & Maintaining Sewing Machine course as a face to face one day course (and we’re in the process of organising dates for this). 

If you re looking for face to face training and can get together at least 6 participants (e.g. your department or a local group of teachers) along with providing a suitable training room we can run the following one day face to face courses for your group:

• Practical Approaches to D&T Theory
• Planning & Auditing Your D&T Curriculum
• Supporting Textiles Specialists to Deliver D&T GCSE Core Content
• Using the Crumble microcontroller in D&T

Distance Learning CPD Courses

Our distance learning CPD courses can be worked through at your own pace without the need for time out of school and without travel and accommodation costs. 

Visit our full course calendar

All resources including images, text & names, are the copyright of Boyd Education & can only be used by teachers in their classrooms, or by students as part of their studies. Resources must not be shared, sold, or used in any other way, without permission. 

Want to contact us?

Return to main blog page to see all blogs

Like our Facebook page or sign up to our D&T newsletter to be the first to hear when new free resources are released.

Are You a School Based Close to Central London?

We’re looking for a school close to central London that would like to host our 1 day ‘Introduction to Servicing and Maintaining Sewing Machines’ course. The school would get a free place in return for acting as host. The date would be either 22nd, 23rd or 24th November 2021. 

Ideally the venue would be close to a tube route, as well as with other good public transport links, and parking on site or close by. A specialist room isn’t needed but it needs to be big enough for 16 people with a 2 seater table per person & with good access to electric sockets (as well as having a projector). Anyone interested should contact Paul Boyd  with details (photos of the room would be very useful).

This Week’s Website Update and Free Resource Downloads

The ‘Users and User Needs’ page is one of the latest to be updated on our website and now includes 4 activity handouts to get students thinking about designing for users in 4 different contexts. Download the resources. 

Some of This Week’s Thinking Points and Photos on Instagram

Like our Instagram page for regular D&T updates & resources

See our latest Instagram updates which include thinking points and photos all linked to D&T (account isn’t needed to access the page). 

To see all of these updates visit our Instagram page

Did You See These Posts On Our Facebook Page?

Like our Facebook page for regular D&T updates & resources

See our latest Facebook updates (Facebook account isn’t needed to access the page). 

• Applications of origami inspired ideas in engineering  
• Met Gala fashion with lots of discussion points from humour at some of the outfits to more serious discussions including fashion as a vehicle for politcal statements along with considering the technical challenges of some outfits
• How the Henry vacuum cleaner became a design icon

To see all of these updates visit our Facebook page

Our Product in a Tin Competition is Taking a Break This Year

Our D&T competitions have run since 2014 and we’ve had some amazing entries which have made the competitions a real pleasure to judge. We’ve also met fantastic students and teachers and given away brilliant prizes sponsored by Husqvarna Viking, Coles Sewing Centre and Mindsetsonline, whose support we are incredibly grateful for. 

The competition takes a lot of organising, something that has become more of challenge due to impact of the pandemic. We have therefore had to make the difficult decision to stop running our competition for now to allow us to focus on our other work. 

We hope our competiton will return in the future but in the meantime the resources will remain on the website for schools to use as a module of work or as a competition within their own school.

See the 2020/2021 winners of our Product in a Tin Competition

OUR CPD COURSES COMING UP THIS TERM
Look at the face to face, blended learning and distance learning options we offer. 

Blended Learning CPD

Our blended learning courses are equivalent to a one day training course with 2 hours live online training plus at least 4 hours of self directed study activities.

Live Face to Face CPD

The continuing challenges of the pandemic means we are currently only able to offer our Introduction to Servicing & Maintaining Sewing Machine course as a face to face one day course (and we’re in the process of organising dates for this). 

If you re looking for face to face training and can get together at least 6 participants (e.g. your department or a local group of teachers) along with providing a suitable training room we can run the following one day face to face courses for your group:

• Practical Approaches to D&T Theory
• Planning & Auditing Your D&T Curriculum
• Supporting Textiles Specialists to Deliver D&T GCSE Core Content

Distance Learning CPD Courses

Our distance learning CPD courses can be worked through at your own pace without the need for time out of school and without travel and accommodation costs. 

Visit our full course calendar

All resources including images, text & names, are the copyright of Boyd Education & can only be used by teachers in their classrooms, or by students as part of their studies. Resources must not be shared, sold, or used in any other way, without permission. 

Want to contact us?

Return to main blog page to see all blogs

Like our Facebook page or sign up to our D&T newsletter to be the first to hear when new free resources are released.

This Week’s Free Resource Downloads

Updates to our website this week include 4 new resources on designing for different contexts, and in particular the resources focus on designing for different indoor and outdoor spaces. 

Some of This Week’s Thinking Points and Photos on Instagram

Like our Instagram page for regular D&T updates & resources

See our latest Instagram updates which include thinking points and photos all linked to D&T (account isn’t needed to access the page). 

To see all of these updates visit our Instagram page

Did You See These Posts On Our Facebook Page?

Like our Facebook page for regular D&T updates & resources

See our latest Facebook updates (Facebook account isn’t needed to access the page). 

• Article challenging the assumption that a hearing aid has to be invisible and that instead they might instead be designed to be visible as a fashion item (in a similar way to glasses). 
• Free female fashion drawing templates that are based on the variety of different female body shapes 
• Oakley’s Kato glasses challenge traditional thinking on glasses design. Designed for athletes they feature the wrap style often used in sport but the difference is the Kato glasses have a single seamless lens in order to provide the maximum field of view. As it has a single lens this extends across the top of the nose as well. 
• Rethinking the design of front loading washing machines
  
• Short video on the history of sneakers

To see all of these updates visit our Facebook page

Product in a Tin Competition (closing date 1/8/21)

It’s the final term to get your Product in a Tin competition entries in. Entries are accepted from years 5 - 11. The prizes are fabulous for both the winning student and their school.  Get more information and resources to get you started. 

OUR CPD COURSES COMING UP THIS TERM
Look at the face to face, live online and distance learning options we offer. 

Live Online CPD 

Our live online curriculum planning  course is now available with more to follow. If you would like to be notified directly when other online course become available let us know. 

Live Face to Face CPD 

Visit the course calendar to see dates for all live face to face and online courses

New courses, dates & venues added all the time. Sign up to our newsletter for updates. 

Distance Learning CPD Courses

Our distance learning CPD courses can be worked through at your own pace without the need for time out of school and without travel and accommodation costs. Watch out for other courses coming soon. Click on the image for more details. 

All resources including images, text & names, are the copyright of Boyd Education & can only be used by teachers in their classrooms, or by students as part of their studies. Resources must not be shared, sold, or used in any other way, without permission. 

Want to contact us?

Return to main blog page to see all blogs

Like our Facebook page or sign up to our D&T newsletter to be the first to hear when new free resources are released.

New Course Dates Added to Our CPD Calendar

Over the Easter break we’ve finalised a date for our sewing machine maintenance and servicing face to face course which will be on July 6th in Nottingham. When the situation with the pandemic is less unpredictable we hope to run this course in other areas of the country but at the moment, as a very small business, we can’t risk the potential financial losses we incur if courses have to be cancelled. The engineer we work with on the course is based in Nottingham and has a very large workshop in the city centre set up to meet Covid restrictions, and he can be flexible if government regulations change, so for now this is the only way we can run the course cost effectively. Fingers crossed the situation is less unpredictable in the autumn term. 

We’re in the process of developing live online and distance learning courses and this week have finalised dates for our live online curriculum planning course. This is available as either as a morning or afternoon half day session or as two separate after school sessions. 

This Week’s Free Resource Downloads

After a break over Easter our weekly free resources have started up again. This week the ‘Introduction to Composites’ page on the website has been tidied up and some new resources added. 

Some of This Week’s Thinking Points and Photos on Instagram

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• Something for the Star Trek fans - a database of chairs used in Star Trek that were originally inspired by real life chairs, including chairs by designers such as Eames and Mackintosh, as well as an Ikea chair. There are also other collections e.g. uniform designs, medical equipment and Starfleet interiors.
• Information on the ‘We aRe SpinDye’ dyeing process for recycled polyester made from used water bottles and waste clothing which H&M and Superdry have recently  committed to using to reduce the use of chemicals, water and energy.
  
• Useful blog from Kitronik on bamboo.
  
• Design idea for a book that opens up to create a vase.
• Short video by a technical specialist from DuPont Personal Protection talking about the differences in seams used for protective clothing. Useful when thinking about performance properties of textiles products and the importance of making the right decision when choosing techniques to match the functionality of a product in use
  
• Podcast with Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman whose background and experience goes across many material disciplines and she’s a great example of a designer working within the broader materials focus of the D&T GCSE. She is the founder of Interwoven Design Group, a multi-disciplinary design and development studio specialising in wearable technology and smart design solutions, something she describes as being ‘the bridge between fashion, engineering, materials science and product design’.  She’s also part of SEArch+ LLC (Space Exploration Architecture) which develops design for space exploration. 
• Instructions on how to recover an umbrella - this might be useful for group projects with each student creating a personalised section of the umbrella. It's also a good entry point for thinking about properties of materials. 
  

To see all of these updates visit our Facebook page

Product in a Tin Competition - Final Term to Submit Entries

This is the final term to get your Product in a Tin competition entries in (deadline 1st August 2021). Why not use it as a module of work or home learning activity? The prizes are fabulous for both the winning student and their school.  Get more information and resources.

Live Online CPD For the Summer Term

We're currently adapting some of our face to face courses so they can be delivered online or as independent distance learning modules. Our live online curriculum planning  course is now available with more to follow soon. If you would like to be notified directly when other online course become available let us know. 

Visit the course calendar to see dates for all live face to face and online courses

New courses, dates & venues added all the time. Sign up to our newsletter for updates. 

All resources including images, text & names, are the copyright of Boyd Education & can only be used by teachers in their classrooms, or by students as part of their studies. Resources must not be shared, sold, or used in any other way, without permission. 

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This week’s free resource downloads

This week’s updated page on the website is the ‘introduction to modern materials’. The four free resource downloads can also be used with the ones on smart materials released last week. Both of these pages also now have links to additional resources on smart and modern materials that we wrote for the National STEM Learning Centre. Click on the links above to see the updated pages. 

Some of This Week’s Thinking Points and Photos on Instagram

Like our Instagram page for regular D&T updates & resources

See our latest Instagram updates (account isn’t needed to access the page). 

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• World Water Day is Monday 22nd March and links on our Facebook page might be useful for prompting design thinking around how we use and value water in this country, and how that compares to the experience of others around the world, along with how D&T can contribute to some of the solutions to this problem.
• Material testing even takes place on Mars! Great Q&A article with Amy Ross, an advanced spacesuit designer from NASA talking about how materials currently used in spacesuits are being tested on Mars as part of the Perseverance mission to see how they stand up to the environment, including dust, solar radiation and cosmic rays. 
• Accessibility bathroom accessories by Shiro Studio that are a great example of inclusive design, showing that functional aids don’t have to be ugly. 
• With single use polymer face masks creating a significant environmental impact a graphic designer from the Netherlands has designed a 100% biodegradable mask with flower seeds that attract bees embedded into rice paper along with cords made from wool or rafia. 

To see all of these updates visit our Facebook page

Product in a Tin Competition

Why not use our Product in a Tin competition as a home learning activty? The prizes are fabulous for both the winning student and their school.  Get more information and resources to get you started. 

Online and Distance Learning CPD Currently Being Planned

We're currently adapting some of our face to face courses so they can be delivered online or as independent distance learning modules. These will be released as they become available over the spring and summer term but if you would like to be notified directly when these become available let us know. These include:

• Curriculum planning and auditing
• Support for textiles specialists to deliver the core content learning on broader materials
• Practical approaches to KS3 and the D&T GCSE core content
• Electronics
  
  

Face to Face CPD Coming Up Soon

Click here to see the up to date course calendar. New courses, dates & venues added all the time. Sign up to our newsletter for course updates. 

All resources including images, text & names, are the copyright of Boyd Education & can only be used by teachers in their classrooms, or by students as part of their studies. Resources must not be shared, sold, or used in any other way, without permission. 

Want to contact us

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This week’s free resource downloads

This week’s website updates continue last week’s textiles theme with 5 resources on textiles fabric construction. As with the previous resources over the last few weeks on timber, metals, polymers, paper and board  and textiles fibres the resources are designed for the core content of the D&T GCSE as well as many also being suitable for KS3. Download the fabric construction resources. 

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• Link to the latest update from CLEAPSS on practical work during the pandemic.
  
• Useful student friendly infographic on how GCSE's and A levels will be graded.
  
• How street artists levitate - something fun to get your students thinking you can do magic! 
• Folding chair design based on an umbrella design. Interesting idea to use as a starting point to get students thinking about how everyday products can inspire new ideas 
• Resources from the Marks and Spencer archive museum on fibres, fabrics, fashion. Although some resources are targeted at other key stages and subjects many are a good starting point for ideas for KS3 and 4 D&T. The archive catalogue is also a good research tool for students to use.
• Video where designer Laduma Ngxokolo talks about Maxhos Africa, a South African men’s and women’s knitwear brand that incorporates traditional Xhosa beadwork patterns, symbolism and colours.
• Introduce International Women’s Day on March 8th by talking about inventions and products designed by women.
• Video on cotton that compares Fairtrade and non Fairtrade cotton, including how cotton is grown, processed and manufactured into products 
• This article is more suitable for A level students and teachers to read than younger students but it’s useful for gathering information on the importance of non woven textiles materials in the development of electric and hybrid vehicles and great for showing an example of high tech uses of textiles. Non woven are currently used in a range of areas in vehicles including backings on seating materials, roof linings and carpets, as well as in boot liners, speaker covers and in filter systems. By increasing the use of non wovens to replace other materials in EV vehicles the weight of a vehicle can be reduced which increases efficiency e.g. in wheel well liners, airfoils, battery casings, sound proofing
  
  

To see all of these updates visit our Facebook page

Some of This Week’s Thinking Points and Photos on Instagram

Like our Instagram page for regular D&T updates & resources

See our latest Instagram updates (account isn’t needed to access the page). 

To see all of these updates visit our Instagram page

Product in a Tin Competition

Why not use our Product in a Tin competition as a home learning activty? The prizes are fabulous for both the winning student and their school.  Get more information and resources to get you started. 

CPD Coming Up Soon

Click here to see the up to date course calendar. New courses, dates & venues added all the time. Sign up to our newsletter for course updates. 

All resources including images, text & names, are the copyright of Boyd Education & can only be used by teachers in their classrooms, or by students as part of their studies. Resources must not be shared, sold, or used in any other way, without permission. 

Want to contact us?

Return to main blog page to see all blogs

Like our Facebook page or sign up to our D&T newsletter to be the first to hear when new free resources are released.

This week’s free resource downloads

The latest ‘Let’s Learn’ page on the website that’s been updated is the ‘introduction to paper and board. The page now includes 6 free to download resources which follow a similar format to the ones previously released on timbers, metals and polymers. A couple of typos on previous uploads have also now been corrected. Resources following a similar format for textiles will be the next one to be updated so look out for this next week.  Visit the 'introduction to paper and board' page.

Did You See These Posts On Our Facebook Page?

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See our latest Facebook updates (Facebook account isn’t needed to access the page). 

• Instruction video by UK based company Mosevic on making denim and resin composite sunglasses
• Finalist in the 2021 Lexus Design Award based on the theme of ‘designing for a better tomorrow’ - a skylight that uses solar energy to desalinate water ready for drinking with the residual brine from the process powers lighting.  This example, along with entries from other finalists, might be a nice introduction to get students thinking about what they might design based on the theme ‘designing for a better tomorrow’.
• Article with some interesting packaging ideas for takeaway boxes and reusable lunch 
  
• Link to a profile of Ann Cole Lowe who was one of the first African couturiers working in high fashion (although some of her work went uncredited). Her work included the elaborate wedding dress worn by Jacqueline Bouvier when she married John F Kennedy.
  
• Links to information on ‘crafivism’ including designers and a t.v. programme by BBC 4 which might inspire some home learning activities. 
• Nairobi social enterprise Gjenge Makers Ltd who make paving bricks out of waste plastic and who won the United Nations Environmental Programme’s Young Champions of the Earth award for 2020
• Link to a video compilation of product designs that cut back on plastic, reduce waste & support a more sustainable world
  
• Bode menswear brand who break the mould for what traditional menswear looks like as well as how it is designed. Designs, fabric choices, and deocration are heavily influenced by historical styling and traditional techniques such as quilting, mending, appliqué. The Bode website is an excellent source of inspiration especially as each tailor made garment lists its inspiration.

To see all of these updates visit our Facebook page.
You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram. 

Product in a Tin Competition

Why not use our Product in a Tin competition as a home learning activty? The prizes are fabulous for both the winning student and their school.  Get more information and resources to get you started. 

CPD Coming Up Soon

Click here to see the up to date course calendar. New courses, dates & venues added all the time. Sign up to our newsletter for course updates. 

All resources including images, text & names, are the copyright of Boyd Education & can only be used by teachers in their classrooms, or by students as part of their studies. Resources must not be shared, sold, or used in any other way, without permission. 

Want to contact us?