Showcasing Innovation

Year 11 Technology – Lesson 25/28: Presentation of Mai Mais

Curriculum Area & Level

NZ Curriculum – Technology (Level 6)
Strand: Technological Practice

• Component: Outcome Development and Evaluation
• Achievement Objective: "Undertake planning to develop an outcome, justify the fitness for purpose of an outcome in its current state, and evaluate this in relation to the brief."

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Lesson Description

In this lesson, students will present their finished Mai Mai projects, explaining their design choices and construction techniques. They will reflect on functionality, materials, and practical use in a real-world New Zealand context.

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

• Effectively communicate the design process, choices, and challenges faced.
• Justify material selection and construction methods.
• Provide constructive feedback to peers.

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Lesson Structure (60 Minutes)

Time	Activity	Details
5 min	Introduction & Setup	Teacher welcomes students, outlines objectives, and sets expectations for presentations.
5 min	Reflection & Preparation	Students review project notes and prepare presentations (visual aids, models, or digital slides).
30 min	Mai Mai Presentations	Each group (4 total) presents for 5-7 minutes, explaining: Design Thinking, Materials, Construction, Challenges & Adaptations.
10 min	Peer Feedback & Discussion	Structured peer and teacher feedback using a strengths-based approach.
10 min	Teacher Summary & Student Reflection	Teacher highlights key observations, students complete a self-reflection worksheet.

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Lesson Activities in Detail

1. Introduction & Setup (5 min)

• Teacher sets the scene, reinforcing the connection to real-world applications of Mai Mais in New Zealand's outdoor culture.
• Quick check-in: "What was one key challenge you overcame?" (students briefly share; this primes them for presenting).

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2. Reflection & Preparation (5 min)

• Students review journals, sketches, and design plans.
• Final touch-ups on visual aids (drawings/models/slideshow).

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3. Mai Mai Presentations (30 min)

Presentation Guidelines:

• Introduction: State project brief and function of Mai Mai.
• Design Choices: Explain key decisions – shape, size, camouflage.
• Materials & Construction: Justify selections considering sustainability & NZ climate.
• Challenges & Solutions: Discuss engineering issues and how they were solved.
• The ‘Wow’ Factor: What makes their Mai Mai unique?

Teacher’s Role During Presentations:

• Act as a facilitator, ensuring smooth transitions.
• Encourage clarity and engagement with the audience.

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4. Peer Feedback & Discussion (10 min)

• Each student completes a "Two Stars & One Wish" feedback card for presenters.

  • ⭐ Star 1: Something they did really well.
  • ⭐ Star 2: Another positive aspect.
  • 💭 Wish: A suggestion for improvement.

• Teacher leads a quick debrief, prompting students with:

  • "What’s one thing that impressed you in another group’s design?"
  • "Was there something you’d like to incorporate into your own future designs?"

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5. Teacher Summary & Student Reflection (10 min)

• Teacher highlights trends in design choices, common challenges, and strong communication moments.

• Students complete a Self-Reflection Sheet, answering:

  1. What worked well in our final Mai Mai?
  2. What would I change/improve if I did this again?
  3. How does what I learned today apply to real-world projects?

• Closing Thought: "Great designs solve real problems. How could your process apply to other aspects of technology and engineering?"

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Assessment Opportunities

• Formative Assessment: Teacher notes presentation clarity, justification of materials, depth of design thinking.
• Peer Assessment: "Two Stars & One Wish" feedback cards.
• Self-Assessment: Reflection worksheet.

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Materials & Room Setup

• Display area: Enough space to showcase projects physically and/or through slides.
• Visual aids: Whiteboard, projector, student posters/models.
• Handouts: Peer review forms, self-reflection sheets.

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Differentiation & Inclusivity

• Scaffolded support: Students can use cue cards or pre-written notes if nervous.
• Alternative presentation formats: For students uncomfortable with public speaking, allow recorded explanations.
• Cultural Connections: Acknowledge Māori and Pacific engineering principles in design thinking.

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Extension Activity (For Early Finishers)

• Sketch an "Ultimate Mai Mai 2.0" with further improvements based on today’s feedback.
• Research how sustainable construction techniques could enhance future designs.

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Teacher Reflection Post-Lesson

• Which students demonstrated strong problem-solving skills?
• Were students able to articulate their decision-making process clearly?
• Did peer feedback contribute positively to learning?

Next Lesson: Refining Documentation & Final Portfolio Submission