Students become Junior Toy Designers at Mrs McGregor’s Toy Factory. They investigate familiar spinning toys and how users apply forces to create movement; identify users, purposes and features; generate and communicate an annotated design; safely construct and test a prototype; use peer feedback to evaluate and improve their idea; follow an improved plan to construct a final spinning toy; and communicate and evaluate their designed solution at Mrs McGregor’s Great Toy Expo.

Use the Teacher Booklet to guide explicit teaching, investigations and the design process, and the accompanying Worksheet PowerPoint as a visual to model and explain each activity and worksheet before students begin their own work.

The Student Science Journal gives students a dedicated place to record their thinking, observations, predictions, investigations and findings throughout the unit. Activities are designed to build progressively, allowing students to demonstrate their developing science knowledge and inquiry skills while creating a clear record of their learning.

Use the accompanying Journal PowerPoint as a visual to model and explain each activity and journal page before students complete their own work.

Students begin their journey as Junior Toy Designers by investigating different spinning toys and considering their purpose, users and features. They then enter the Engineering Department to explore how twisting, flicking, blowing, pulling, winding and pushing make toys move. These lessons provide the inspiration and knowledge students need before designing their own spinning toy.