GCSE and AS level contextual challenges
On 1 June, GCSE (9-1) and AS level Design and Technology contextual challenges will be released for summer 2019 submissions.
| GCSE and AS level Design and Technology contextual challenges release date for certification in summer 2019. |
1 June 2018 |
|---|
GCSE Design and Technology contextual challenges
The first set of contextual challenges for the new GCSE Design and Technology will be published on 1 June 2018. The contextual challenges are the starting point for learners' design and make project, the NEA.
Once the contextual challenges are released on 1 June:
- share all challenges with your learners
- provide broad parameters for students' design contexts (including areas for investigation, availability of equipment, time constraints)
- remind learners about commercial design methodology and the importance of the needs and wants of the user
- ensure learners understand all contextual challenges and choose one to work with
- ensure learners start to investigate the contextual challenge to identify design possibilities.
There will be three themes and two contextual challenges attached to each theme. You can view the exemplar contextual challenges using the link below, from the sample assessment material (pages 307-308).
Where can I access the GCSE Design and Technology contextual challenges on 1 June?
Contextual challenges will be released on the qualification page, under teaching and learning materials. You can access these using the link below. You can also access exemplar materials for the NEA by using this link.
AS level contextual challenges
This year, the second set of contextual challenges will be released for AS level Design and Technology. There are five contextual challenges for AS level which all link to one theme. You can view the sample contextual challenges using the link below (pages 43-44 of the sample assessment materials).
Where can I access the AS level Design and Technology contextual challenges on 1 June?
Contextual challenges will be released on the qualification page, under teaching and learning materials. You can access these using the link below.
Support
Online support session materials on contextual challenges for GCSE (9-1) Design and Technology
You can access the presentation and Q&As from the online support session for contextual challenges using the link below.
View online support sessions on contextual challenges
Exemplar NEA portfolios and commentaries
We have three exemplar NEA projects with commentaries, based on sample contextual challenges. These will be helpful to set expectations. You can view these using the link below.
View NEA exemplar materials for GCSE (9-1) Design and Technology
Contextual challenges are introduced to allow more creativity and innovation in learners' design work. Overall, there is more emphasis on 'design' in the new Design and Technology specifications.
Learners should independently choose a contextual challenge. Through investigation, learners should identify design possibilities that will enable them to design and make an innovative final prototype through an iterative design process, which solves the identified design problem.
