Electronics at KS4

In GCSE Electronics, students will learn about a variety of electronic components, circuits and systems. They will then use this knowledge to design, make and test circuits using Computer Aided Design (CAD), prototype boards, stripboard and printed circuit boards.

The course comprises three components:

Component 1 – Discovering Electronics

An introduction to basic electronic theory plus the characteristics and applications of a variety of common electronic components. Modules covered:

  • Electronic systems & sub-systems, circuit concepts, resistive components, switching circuits, applications of diodes, combinational logic systems

Component 2 – Application of Electronics

Developing and deepening the students’ understanding of more complex components and electronic systems. Modules covered:

  • Operational amplifiers, timing circuits, sequential systems, interfacing digital to analogue circuits, control circuits (including computer control and the use of programmable components, i.e. PICs).

Component 3 – Extended system design and realisation task

The application of knowledge, understanding and skills in a practical context. The design & realisation task is based on an individually identified problem or opportunity. Students will:

  • Research and analyse a problem to develop a design specification
  • Develop a system from a series of sub-systems.
  • Test individual sub-systems before assembling and testing the complete system.
  • Evaluate the performance of the system against their specification and suggest improvements that could be made.

As the choice of task is left to the individual pupil, projects will vary. Examples could include:

  • Security – e.g. a bicycle alarm, a room alarm.
  • Recording – e.g. a 5-a-side football or netball score counter.
  • Environmental control – e.g. a sensing system to warn when the soil in a greenhouse becomes dry, an automatic fan that turns on when a room gets too hot.
  • Indicators – e.g. safety warning lights for pedestrians, a flashing/ chasing bike light.
  • Entertainment – e.g. a board game timer with a variety of time settings, an electronic moneybox that rewards the user for saving.

Systems are developed using a variety of processes including the use of prototype boards, soldering, and methods of industrial manufacture such as Computer Aided Design and Manufacture (CAD/ CAM) using our milling machine.

How will the course be taught?

The course is taught using design and make activities, individual and group work, learning the theory behind specific electronic components and then use these components to produce working systems. In Year 10 the first product made will be an automatic night light, followed by a timer, a counter and an electronic die. Use will be made of specialist CAD software packages for designing and testing circuits. Computer controlled milling machines will also be used.

Exam Information

The exam board we use is EDUQAS

Component 1 – Discovering Electronics

This unit is assessed through a 1hr 30min examination paper consisting of a mix of short answer questions, structured questions and extended writing questions, with some set in a practical context. This is worth 40% of the GCSE grade.

Component 2 – Application of Electronics

This unit is assessed through a 1hr 30min examination paper consisting of a mix of short answer questions, structured questions and extended writing questions, with some set in a practical context. This is worth 40% of the GCSE grade.

Component 3 – Extended system design and realisation task

This unit is a non-exam, internally assessed coursework project and is worth 20% of the GCSE grade.