Icograms
Icograms Design Technology Challenges
Pre-Primary to Year 6 Progression
What is Icograms?
https://education.icograms.com/
Icograms is a simple online design tool that lets students create 3D-style maps, layouts, cities, playgrounds, buildings, and environments using drag-and-drop icons. Students can think like designers, architects, engineers, town planners, and inventors while developing creativity, problem-solving, and Design Technologies skills.
Pre-Primary
Activity 1: My Dream Playground
Challenge: Design a playground where children would love to play.
Success Criteria:
- Include at least 3 playground items.
- Add trees or gardens.
- Use different colours and objects.
Think About:
- Where will children play?
- Where can they rest?
- How can you make it fun?
Extension: Add a picnic area for families.
Activity 2: My Mini Town
Challenge: Create a small town with houses and community buildings.
Include:
- Houses
- A school
- A park
- Roads
Design Question: How do people travel around your town?
Year 1
Activity 3: Animal Adventure Park
Challenge: Design a zoo or wildlife park.
Success Criteria:
- Include 4 different animal habitats.
- Add pathways for visitors.
- Include food or rest areas.
Design Question: How can visitors see the animals safely?
Activity 4: My Perfect School
Challenge: Re-design your school.Include:
- Classrooms
- Playground areas
- Gardens
- Sports spaces
Extension: Add something your school does not currently have.
Year 2
Activity 5: Community Helpers Town
Challenge: Create a town that supports the community.
Include:
- Hospital
- Fire station
- Police station
- Shops
Design Question: Why did you place each building where it is?
Activity 6: Sustainable Neighbourhood
Challenge: Design an environmentally friendly neighbourhood.
Include:
- Solar panels
- Community gardens
- Parks
- Walking paths
Think About: How can people reduce pollution?
Year 3
Activity 7: The Ultimate Sports Complex
Challenge: Design a modern sports centre.
Include:
- Multiple sporting areas
- Parking
- Spectator seating
- Food areas
Success Criteria:
- Layout is organised.
- Visitors can move around easily.
Activity 8: Future Transport Hub
Challenge: Create a transport centre for the future.
Include:
- Buses
- Trains
- Bike stations
- Future transport ideas
Design Question: How can people travel efficiently?
Year 4
Activity 9: Eco-City Challenge
Challenge: Design a sustainable city of the future.
Include:
- Residential areas
- Business districts
- Green spaces
- Renewable energy sources
Design Technologies Focus:
- Sustainability
- Urban planning
- Community needs
Extension: Label key design features.
Activity 10: Natural Disaster Rescue Base
Challenge: Build a rescue centre that could respond to emergencies.
Include:
- Emergency services
- Helicopter landing zone
- Storage buildings
- Communication centre
Design Question: How does your layout help rescuers work effectively?
Year 5
Activity 11: Smart City Design
Challenge: Create a technologically advanced smart city.
Include:
- Smart transport systems
- Renewable energy
- Community facilities
- Housing zones
Success Criteria:
- Clear planning
- Efficient use of space
- Sustainable features
Present: Explain how technology improves daily life.
Activity 12: Tourist Destination Planner
Challenge: Design a tourist attraction for visitors.
Choose One:
- Beach resort
- Adventure park
- Historical village
- Nature reserve
Include:
- Visitor facilities
- Transport access
- Accommodation
- Attractions
Year 6
Activity 13: School of the Future
Challenge: Design the ultimate future learning environment.
Requirements:
- Learning spaces
- Collaborative areas
- Outdoor zones
- Sustainable features
- Smart technology
Present Your Design:Explain how your school supports learning, wellbeing, and sustainability.
Activity 14: City Redevelopment Project
Challenge: You are an urban planner hired to redesign an ageing city district.
Consider:
- Housing needs
- Community spaces
- Traffic flow
- Environmental impact
- Future population growth
Deliverables:
- Completed Icograms design.
- Written design proposal.
- 2-minute presentation explaining design choices.
Year 6 Extension Challenge
Design Like an Engineer
The Scenario:
Your local council has given you a budget to create a brand-new community precinct.
You must include:
- Housing
- Recreation areas
- Shops
- Transport links
- Green spaces
Constraints:
- Limited land available.
- Must be environmentally sustainable.
- Must meet community needs.
Assessment Focus:
- Creativity
- Planning
- Problem-solving
- Sustainability
- Communication of ideas
Reflection Questions (All Year Levels)
After completing each design, students can answer:
- What did you design?
- What problem does your design solve?
- What was the most challenging part?
- What would you improve next time?
- How does your design help people or the environment?
These activities progressively build Design Technologies skills including investigating, generating ideas, planning, creating solutions, evaluating designs, and communicating thinking, making them ideal for Pre-Primary through to Year 6.
