Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91046 about?

Accepted Answer

This standard asks you to develop and test design ideas, then create a detailed conceptual design that addresses a real problem or brief. You'll use functional models, feedback from stakeholders, and your own research to decide which ideas work best and explain why your final design could actually solve the problem.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91046?

Accepted Answer

1. Generate multiple design ideas in response to the brief 2. Test your ideas through functional modelling (building prototypes, simulations, or models to see if they work) 3. Gather and use feedback from stakeholders (the people who will use or be affected by your design) 4. Select your best design ideas based on test results and feedback, and explain your choices 5. Produce a detailed conceptual design using sketches, diagrams, written descriptions, or models that clearly shows how your outcome would look and function

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91046?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You generate design ideas, test them through functional modelling, use stakeholder feedback, and produce a clear conceptual design that addresses the brief with working drawings or descriptions. Merit: Your design ideas are informed by research into existing similar products and analysis of how they work; you evaluate and justify why your selected ideas are better based on your testing and feedback. Excellence: You refine your design ideas through repeated testing, research, and modelling; you justify why your final conceptual design has genuine potential to solve the problem and meet the brief requirements.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91046?

Accepted Answer

1. Not testing design ideas through actual functional modelling—students describe what they'd do but don't show evidence they actually built prototypes or models to test feasibility 2. Failing to use or reference stakeholder feedback meaningfully—collecting it but not explaining how it influenced the choice of final design 3. Producing a conceptual design that is vague or unclear—not providing enough detail (sketches, descriptions, specifications) for someone else to understand how the outcome would actually work and look

Conceptual design

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