Key Stage 3

In this unit pupils explore ICT systems through the scenario of designing a new water ride in a theme park. The ride must be a new concept, water based and involve some kind of boat or raft. The design of the boat is not important; the focus is on developing a ride where a number of individual boats move through a water channel safely and under control. The system could involve a feedback loop.

The pupils assess the requirements of a new ride, plan and develop a safety control system. The work provides them with the opportunity to evaluate the use of technology and reflect on its use in other situations. Pupils develop their abilities to plan, build, test, evaluate and document their use of control systems, as well as extending their skills in using sensors and control software.

Pupils might test their procedures using a variety of input and output devices, with no need to build models.

This unit is expected to take approximately 10 hours.

• one, or more, control box

• at least three switches per control box

• three or more sensors, with a minimum of two light sensors and one pressure sensor (depending on format of design) per control box

• a programming environment which allows the interfacing of external inputs and outputs

• video and/or images of theme park rides