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Gcse Res. Mat.


The lemonade man

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Just wondering, as next year I'm going to do resistant materials (just done options) , what kind of things it's possible to make in the final GCSE exam or whatever you want to call it.

Anyone here do it? Just need to know what is actually possible and what kind of thing is expected.

Oh and by the way I'm thinking bike related (Y)

Thanks alot

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I made a 4 bolt booster that was compatable with evo 2 bolt mounts, got an A*. Worked a treat, my friend made a bike work stand, so you really pretty much have free chioce. The only real requirement is that it solves a problem, so in my case the problem was that i my rear brake was flexing my frame and slipping easily due to inadaquate power transfer, so i answered that problem with a booster. (Y)

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For gcse I didn't have a choice, I had to do an educational toy. It was quite smart, Ill put some pictures up later.

But I found the more rewarding choice was/is at AS Level/A Level

AS Level

By the way this is my exam board so yours may be different

The whole course was split into two halves: The case study and the Product study

Case Study

"Within a given context examine a system which relates to the previous context. Explain how the system works within the wider business/facility/event etc." For that I research the drainage system at my local golf course (how fun...I don't even like golf). The case study is worthwhile because you have to go out and gain your own information, talk to the business owners etc. It builds your confidence a lot.

Product Study

"Analyse a product suitable to the candidate and suggest valid reasons for development" <-- That one was fun, I made trials cages for the VP pedals :) Thats probably the one you'd be interested in, cos you can do anything. At one point I was going to make a chain tool....

A Level

This sort of reminds me, I should start doing some of this.....

This year the whole year is spent developing 1 product. I've chosen a camping table for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions because I was always pissed off at eating of the floor (cos paper plates were too hot to handle) I've done a lot of research into materials, existing products, back-pack dimensions etc. Also this portfolio requires a lot of design work, something like 9 pages of A3 so you got to hope you're a good drawerer :P That doesn't include 3D modelling images either :( Then you get to make the product as a finished, working prototype.

Heres some screenshots of my project hopefully:

IPB Image

IPB Image

IPB Image

IPB Image

I reccomend choosing RM cos basically I found no other subjects useful + easy (to me that is). Also I know you probably wont see it this way, but it is very easy not to work and not achieve grades you want and believe me when you get to 6th form you wish you had worked that bit harder :(

So yeah...do it!!

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At GCSE level, if you design a frame you would end up making it out of wood or something, this may sound stupid but its not, as your only making a prototype.

There are ahuge variety of things you can do, but to get the best mark it has to be a solution to a good and BELEIVABLE problem.

As i was into radio controlled cars at the time, i did a carry case at GCSE which held the Radio handset, tools, spares and even a fuel container with built in pump! got an A*. I have seen bike work stands, and bike tool sets that fit into a water bottle holder. these also got good marks.

At A level i made a model hovercraft, its fecking awesome and a got an A. I think Derf on here is doing a chain tensioner.

Basically think of something with your bike that anoys you, and make something to sort it out! Try not to do anything thats already been done lots, as while the examiners/teachers may not know a lot about biking it can be obvious. If you do 'copy' something make sure its very obscure!

For example, that crank remover above- it looks like anyother crank remover so it shoudlnt have got the best grade (no offense to who did it, its well made). It just doesnt solve a problem, as there are plenty of crank tools that are fine.

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was thinking of making a trials frame but that might be a bit optimistic since I know nothing about making one and wouldn't know where to get the parts/materials.

Yeah, you'd just end up with a crap frame and a crap mark, unless you spent 10x the amount of time on it. Just do something simple. I made a guitar stand - It was only 3 pieces, so was pretty easy to make. The smallest projects get the best marks, by far. I got an A* ^_^

If you want to make a bike, do it in your spare time and just do something very simple for GCSE.

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Everyone in my year made bikestands or bookcases it seamed. I think its mostly the written work that goes with it that gets the marks.

As i was into radio controlled cars at the time, i did a carry case at GCSE which held the Radio handset, tools, spares and even a fuel container with built in pump! got an A*. I have seen bike work stands, and bike tool sets that fit into a water bottle holder. these also got good marks.

I made an ESC for my GCSE electronics project :)

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My best tip for it would be to not take on too much.. look for things that are simple and effective. That way you will spend only a quarter of your time building and 3/4 of your time on the folder.. which is by far the most important part at gcse/as/a level

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i made this

twas great fun :) i didnt want to be one of the boring bastards doing the same old shit, be creative, make something thats actually fun and you ill want to keep afterwards...admitadely this is in pieces on a shelf in my workshop now, but i can still build it up quickly and go use it :) it even has a rear disc mount :P uber fun!

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