Managing problem-solving in the context of design-and-make activities Reflections on classroom practice

This chapter describes a project, set in a primary school, which was intended to help teachers and pupils to develop a better understanding of the ‘design-and-make’ process and how practical problem-solving might be managed to secure effective results in the pupils’ work. The project was carried out with pupils who had little experience of designing and making, or of the resistant materials used. Although based in a primary school, this chapter describes issues relevant to the lower secondary school.