Did you know? “Make a good pencil holder” sounds like a clear task until two people disagree about what good means. G1 Design and Technology helps students turn everyday needs into ideas they can investigate, model and improve.
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1. Understand the subject
G1 Design and Technology, often shortened to D&T, is the subject studied at G1 level. Its 2027 SEC syllabus is K124. Students use design thinking and practical skills to develop and prototype solutions. Assessment includes a written examination and a design project. The official syllabus is linked below.
This article uses an original pencil-holder scenario to explain a small part of that process. It is a learning exercise, not a ready-made submission for an assessed project. Your own observations and decisions should guide your work.
2. Begin with a person and a situation
Imagine a student who shares a narrow study table. Their pencils roll into a sibling’s books, and there is little space for a large desk organiser. The need is more precise than “make something attractive”. It concerns keeping pencils accessible within limited space.
Ask what happens during use. How many pencils need to be stored? Where can the holder sit? Must it move between rooms? Which items does the learner actually use? Record answers rather than imagining a generic user.
A design opportunity becomes clearer when you can name the person, the difficulty and the setting. You can then decide which observations matter.
3. Translate the need into requirements
For this fictional exercise, suppose measurement shows that the available space is 90 mm wide and 120 mm deep. The user usually keeps six pencils. A possible requirement is “The holder must fit within a base area no larger than 90 mm by 120 mm and hold six of the user’s pencils.”
Another requirement might be “The user must be able to remove one pencil without taking out the others.” That describes an action you can observe. “Easy to use” can remain an overall aim, but a specific action gives the test direction.
These dimensions belong only to the example. Measure the real setting for a real design. Avoid choosing a number simply because it makes a drawing convenient.
4. Use a mock-up to learn
A teacher-guided paper or card mock-up can help explore space and access before selecting final materials. Place it in the intended position and check it against the stated requirements.
Suppose it holds all six pencils, but the tallest pencils make it awkward to reach a shelf above. That observation reveals another constraint. Revisit the design rather than treating the first drawing as fixed.
A test record should say what was tried and what happened. “User removed one pencil while the holder stayed in place” is more informative than “test successful”. Any later workshop construction should follow the school’s tool instructions and supervision arrangements.
5. Try a fresh specification
Original practice: A user wants a small tray for four erasers. The available desk space measures 100 mm by 80 mm. Write two requirements that can be checked, then suggest a simple mock-up test.
Possible requirements: “The tray’s base must fit within 100 mm by 80 mm” and “The tray must hold the user’s four erasers together.” A mock-up test could place the four actual erasers inside the model and check its position on the desk.
The test does not establish durability, resistance to spills or long-term performance. It answers the questions it was designed to answer. Further requirements need further evidence.
6. Questions and next steps
Does a specification describe the finished appearance only? No. It can address size, function, access and other relevant constraints.
Must the first idea survive every test? Testing can reveal a useful reason to change an idea. Keep the observation and explain the revision.
What should parents and tutors ask? Try “Which need does this feature answer?” and “How would you check it?” Students can choose one requirement, run an appropriate mock-up test and use the result to make a clear design decision.
Sources and further reading
Official reference: SEAB 2027 G1 Design and Technology syllabus K124. Source checked on 25 October 2026. Match examination documents to the subject, year and candidate category.
Explore the official 2027 G1 school-candidate syllabus list for other subjects.
For an eduKate example of finding a learning gap and building the next step, read Secondary 1 Mathematics Tutor Clementi. Choose any further learning support around the student’s actual work.
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