Subject Knowledge Enhancement : pump up the volume ...........

Context : The new specifications for short courses in GCSE Design and Technology focus strongly
on the processes of designing and making. They allow students to build on the skills and
knowledge that they acquired following the KS3 Design and Technology strategy by designing
and making a small scale, quality product.

The following requirement is typical:
‘Candidates are required to produce a prototype
product that can be marketed. The underlying influence
on the project should be that the product will be the first
of a batch of 50, realised in school/college with the
facilities that are available. The candidate will realise
the first prototype of this product. The evidence to be
submitted for assessment must include a 3 dimensional
product with a concise portfolio (including evidence of
modelling) and/or appropriate ICT evidence.’

Assignment:

‘MP3 players are very popular and are ideally suited for
individual listening. Sometimes however it is useful to amplify
sound so that the device can be listened to without the restriction
of headphones or a small group of people can listen to it together.’
The above is a typical context taken from a GCSE Short Course specification.
Your task is to design and manufacture a prototype product in response to
this context that incorporates the given amplifier circuit. CAD/CAM is to
be used extensively in the development of your prototype. This will be a
corporate 'freebie' used to promote one of the following new ventures:
• an energy sports drink
• the movie launch of Tron Legacy - a sequel to Tron made in 1982
• a high speed commuter rail network
• a web based information service for the 2012 Olympics