Design
At BSJ we are very fortunate to have elements of both design (middle and high school) and computing( only in high school) to nurture design and problem-solving skills.
We offer a good blend of design and computing courses at MYP and I/GCSE level. The Diploma students are offered Design Technology and Computer Science at both Standard and Higher level.
We have some of the best equipped Design Technology facilities in South East Asia, comprising large well equipped workshops with CAD, CAM and CNC hardware. We have 4 laser cutters, 9 3D printers and a number of CNC 3 machines. Our one-to-one laptop policy also enables our students to have access to some of the most recent educational software (eg TinkerCAD and Sketchup) to help them research, design and develop high quality products. Throughout their secondary education, students develop the design thinking skills working through the design cycle (on mini-projects) where there is a high focus on critical thinking, problem solving and creativity. These are assessed through the MYP Framework in years 7-9 and Cambridge/Edexcel iGCSE at KS4. At IB the students have the opportunity to study Design Technology at Standard or Higher Level.
Computing at BSJ prepares students to participate in a rapidly changing world in which work and other activities are increasingly transformed by access to varied IT and problem-solving skills. Computing is taught in a fun and exciting way that allows students to be creative and innovative as well as informed about technology and its effects in our society. Increased capability in the use of technology and programming skills promotes initiative and independent learning, with students being able to make informed judgments about when and where to use technology to best effect. Students work on many real-life scenarios and create applications using different technologies to solve problems during the courses studied at KS4 and sixth form level. Students are exposed to two popular languages Java and Python at GCSE and IBDP level. Robotics is offered to students who are interested in assembling robots and problem-solving skills using VEX IQ, Roots, Arduino Engineering kits. Students at KS4 and sixth form do participate in the reputed World Computing Championship and Canadian Computing Challenge annually and do very well.
MYP: Year 7
At BSJ our students carry out three Design projects in Year 7. Each project works through the four stages of the MYP Design Cycle, Inquiry and Analysing, Developing Ideas, Creating the Solution and Evaluation. On completion, each stage is given a Level 1 to 8 against the Assessment Criteria and the completed project is given a Final Grade 1 to 7. All of the work is presented in an E-Portfolio and is based around 16 learning tasks.
MYP DESIGN CYCLE
MYP: Year 8
At BSJ our students carry out two Design projects and one Food Science project in Year 8. Each project works through the four stages of the MYP Design Cycle, Inquiry and Analysing, Developing Ideas, Creating the Solution and Evaluation. On completion, each stage is given a Level 1 to 8 against the Assessment Criteria and the completed project is given a Final Grade 1 to 7. All of the work is presented in an E-Portfolio and is based around 16 learning tasks. It is worth noting, that students will NOT be at a disadvantage if they join the school at any stage during the year, as all projects are stand alone learning activities.
MYP : Year 9
At BSJ our students carry out two Design projects and one Food Science project in Year 9. Each project works through the four stages of the MYP Design Cycle, Inquiry and Analysing, Developing Ideas, Creating the Solution and Evaluation. On completion, each stage is given a Level 1 to 8 against the Assessment Criteria and the completed project is given a Final Grade 1 to 7. All of the work is presented in an E-Portfolio and is based around 16 learning tasks. In Year 9, the projects are more challenging and the students are expected to work more independently, which enhances their ability to cope with I/GCSE.
Our key focus within MYP year is to develop design thinking and practical skills that will be required at I/GCSE and DP. The ability to sketch, render, present ideas in different ways through technical drawing and/or computer aided drawing (CAD), are fundamental skills of a product designer. Creating concept models and then functional prototypes are the next stage, which once again, requires the ability to problem solve, reflect and analyse. At I/GCSE and IB the students will be expected to design and manufacture a product that is a solution to a real life problem and many of the essential skills required are developed during our MYP programme.
I/GCSE
At KS4 students can opt for a GCSE course in Design Technology : Resistant Materials or Food Preparation and Nutrition OR Computer Science.
IGCSE Cambridge Design and Technology : Resistant Materials (Cambridge)
The iGCSE Cambridge Design and Technology Programme provides the opportunity for students to design and manufacture a product of their choice. Once again, they will be working through the Design Cycle and the evidence will be produced in an E-Portfolio, which is graded against the Assessment Criteria. As this accounts for 50% of the final grade, it is very important that the portfolio is produced to the highest standard.
The remaining 50% of the final grade is based on TWO Examinations. A Product Design Examination (25%), which is based around drawing skills and a Theory Examination (25%), which tests theoretical knowledge on Materials, Tools, Equipment, Manufacturing Processes and Safety etc.
GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition (AQA)
This GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition is an exciting and creative course which focuses on practical cooking skills to ensure students develop a thorough understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials. At its heart, this qualification focuses on nurturing students' practical cookery skills to give them a strong understanding of nutrition. Food preparation skills are integrated into five core topics: Food, nutrition and health, Food science, Food safety, Food choice, Food provenance.
Year 11 is focussed on controlled assessment starting with a 2000 word scientific investigation into a recipe or function of a given ingredient worth 15% of the GCSE. The second controlled assessment is worth 35% and is to design and make a three course meal in three hours based on a set country, age group or dietary group. The remaining 50% is a single written exam sat in June.
GCSE Computer Science (9 - 1, Edexcel)
GCSE Computer Science is a demanding course and helps students develop programming skills to apply them in real-world scenarios. Students do not need to have prior programming experience but should have a passion for problem-solving and a strong desire to take challenges. Programming is taught using Python, a programming language used by Google and NASA, and by the time students finish Year 11 they should be able to construct simple software which runs on any computer and therefore will be prepared to begin IB Diploma Computer Science should they choose to do so
The important elements of computer science are computational thinking, data, computers, networks, issues and impact, and problem-solving with programming.
The written paper, ‘Principles of Computer Science’, is a rigorous, intellectually challenging examination with a weighting of 50% that requires a high level of computational thinking. Practical programming skills are assessed in an onscreen practical exam, which has a weighting of 50%.
International Baccalaureate: Design Technology
Once our students reach the IB Diploma level their only limitation is their imagination. Students have access to all of our facilities and they have the opportunity to respond to a wide range of realistic design briefs in the medium of their choice. They work independently to refine their design development and manufacturing skills and in the late stages of Year 12, will commence their Internal Assessment (IA), which will account for 40% of their final grade. The remaining 60% is based around 2 theoretical exams at Standard Level and a 3rd exam for those students studying Higher Level.
It is possible for students to enter our IB programme without studying Design Technology at MYP or I/GCSE. However, it is a challenging programme and any prior DT experience, will clearly benefit those students who are considering this. Any students who are considering a career in Product Design, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Engineering, Construction or Architecture will seriously enhance their University Application with a high grade in this subject.
International Baccalaureate: Computer Science
IB Computer Science is a challenging course for those who wish to learn how to create software and use computers to solve real-world problems. All students create at least one software product that demonstrates the complexity and might be an online system, a complex computer game, a mobile app, or a desktop system. Programming is taught in the “Java” language but students may also learn other languages depending on what they choose to do as their project.
As well as software development, students will study many interesting theory areas for example how computer security works, how computers “think”, how complex algorithms have changed our world, networks, computational thinking, control systems, and abstract data structures. Students have the option to choose between several areas of specialism to reflect their interests, and the questions they choose to answer in one of their exams will be based on this choice.
Assessment is by means of a project and 2 exams but Higher Level students have an additional paper based on a case study which is released every year on emerging technologies and discussed in class. Students do not need any prior knowledge of programming to join this course.