Year 7 Cambridge Engineering: Full Curriculum Breakdown | Year 7 Cambridge 工程：课程大纲全面解析

📚 Year 7 Cambridge Engineering: Full Curriculum Breakdown | Year 7 Cambridge 工程：课程大纲全面解析

Year 7 Cambridge Engineering introduces students to the exciting world of problem-solving through science, maths and creative design. At this stage, learners explore the engineering design cycle, investigate how things work and begin to apply technical knowledge to real-world challenges. The curriculum blends theory with hands-on projects, building a strong foundation for IGCSE and beyond.

Year 7 Cambridge 工程课程将引导学生进入一个通过科学、数学与创意设计解决问题的奇妙世界。在这个阶段，学习者将探索工程设计循环，研究事物运作原理，并开始将技术知识应用于实际挑战。课程融合理论与动手项目，为 IGCSE 及更高级别的学习奠定坚实基础。

Throughout the year, pupils work with materials, simple machines, electronics and basic coding, always with an emphasis on safety and sustainability. The following breakdown covers every major topic area, key concepts and typical classroom activities you can expect in a Cambridge-aligned Year 7 engineering programme.

整个学年中，学生将接触材料、简单机械、电子学和基础编程，始终强调安全与可持续性。以下详细解析涵盖了剑桥体系 Year 7 工程课程的每个主要专题领域、关键概念以及典型的课堂活动。

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1. What is Engineering? | 什么是工程？

Engineering is the application of scientific and mathematical principles to design, build and improve structures, machines, systems and processes. In Year 7, you will learn that engineers are not just builders – they are innovators who solve problems to make life better, safer and more efficient.

工程是运用科学与数学原理来设计、建造并改进结构、机器、系统和流程的学科。在 Year 7，你会认识到工程师不仅仅是建造者——他们是解决问题、让生活更美好、更安全、更高效的创新者。

The subject is divided into several branches, including civil, mechanical, electrical and software engineering, all of which you will begin to explore through mini projects. Understanding what engineers do helps you see the link between classroom theory and the world around you.

工程学分为多个分支，包括土木、机械、电气和软件工程，你将通过小型项目逐步探索这些领域。了解工程师的工作有助于你看到课堂理论与周围世界的联系。

• Engineering vs science: Engineers use science to create practical solutions. | 工程与科学：工程师运用科学创造实际解决方案。
• Famous engineers and inventions: Brief case studies of Brunel, Tesla and modern tech pioneers. | 著名工程师与发明：布鲁内尔、特斯拉及现代科技先驱的简要案例研究。
• The engineering habit of mind: curiosity, creativity, systematic thinking. | 工程的思维习惯：好奇心、创造力、系统性思考。

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2. The Engineering Design Process | 工程设计过程

The engineering design process (EDP) is a structured approach that guides engineers from an initial idea to a final product. In Year 7 you will learn the basic steps: Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Test and Improve. This iterative cycle is central to all project work.

工程设计过程是一套结构化的方法，引导工程师从最初的想法走向最终产品。Year 7 你将学习基本步骤：提问、想象、规划、创造、测试和改进。这个反复循环是所有项目工作的核心。

You will practice writing design briefs, identifying constraints (such as materials, time or budget) and developing several possible solutions before choosing the best one. Every project will require you to reflect on what worked and what could be better, fostering a growth mindset.

你将练习撰写设计简介，识别限制因素（如材料、时间或预算），并在选择最佳方案之前开发多种可能的解决方案。每个项目都要求你反思哪些地方做得好、哪些地方可以改进，培养成长型思维。

• Ask: Define the problem and research user needs. | 提问：界定问题，研究用户需求。
• Imagine: Brainstorm ideas and sketch rough designs. | 想象：头脑风暴，绘制草图。
• Plan: Choose a solution, list materials, draw detailed diagrams. | 规划：选定方案，列出材料，绘制详细图纸。
• Create: Build a prototype using safe tools. | 创造：使用安全工具建造原型。
• Test: Evaluate performance against criteria. | 测试：根据标准评估性能。
• Improve: Modify design based on results and feedback. | 改进：根据结果和反馈调整设计。

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3. Materials and Their Properties | 材料及其特性

Selecting the right material is a vital engineering skill. This module introduces you to common materials such as wood, metal, plastic, ceramic and composite. You will learn to compare materials based on strength, hardness, flexibility, conductivity and density.

选择合适的材料是一项重要的工程技能。本模块将向你介绍常见材料，如木材、金属、塑料、陶瓷及复合材料。你将学习根据强度、硬度、柔韧性、导电性和密度等特性来比较材料。

Through simple experiments, you will test how different materials behave under tension, compression and bending. You will also explore the concept of sustainable material choices, considering recyclability and life-cycle impact.

通过简单的实验，你将测试不同材料在拉伸、压缩和弯曲下的表现。你还将探讨可持续材料选择的概念，考虑可回收性和生命周期影响。

Material | 材料	Key Property | 关键特性	Typical Use | 典型用途
Pine wood | 松木	Light, easy to shape | 轻、易加工	Model making | 模型制作
Aluminium | 铝	Low density, corrosion-resistant | 低密度、耐腐蚀	Frames, cans | 框架、易拉罐
Acrylic (PMMA) | 亚克力	Transparent, brittle | 透明、脆性	Display cases | 展示盒
Copper | 铜	High electrical conductivity | 高导电性	Wires, circuits | 电线、电路

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4. Forces and Structures | 力与结构

This topic explores how forces act on objects and how structures can be designed to withstand them. You will get to know concepts like load, tension, compression, torsion and shear. Understanding these helps you build towers, bridges and simple frameworks that are strong yet lightweight.

本主题探讨力如何作用于物体，以及如何设计结构来承受这些力。你将了解载荷、拉伸、压缩、扭转和剪切等概念。理解这些有助于你建造坚固而轻巧的塔、桥梁和简单框架。

You will investigate shapes that strengthen structures (triangles, arches) and analyse why certain structures fail. The famous spaghetti bridge challenge is a typical Year 7 activity where teams design and test a bridge to carry as much weight as possible.

你将研究能增强结构的形状（三角形、拱形），并分析某些结构为什么失败。著名的意大利面条桥挑战是典型的 Year 7 活动，团队设计并测试一座能承载尽可能多重量的桥。

• Load types: dead load (own weight), live load (traffic), dynamic load (wind). | 载荷类型：恒载（自重）、活载（交通）、动态载荷（风）。
• Triangulation: diagonal members to prevent deformation. | 三角形构架：用斜撑防止变形。
• Centre of gravity and stability: wider base, lower centre = more stable. | 重心与稳定性：基底越宽、重心越低，越稳定。

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5. Simple Machines and Mechanisms | 简单机械与机构

Simple machines make work easier by changing the size or direction of a force. The six classic simple machines – lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge and screw – are the building blocks of more complex mechanisms. Year 7 students learn to calculate mechanical advantage in levers and pulleys.

简单机械通过改变力的大小或方向使工作更轻松。六种经典简单机械——杠杆、轮轴、滑轮、斜面、楔子和螺旋——是更复杂机构的构建块。Year 7 学生学习计算杠杆和滑轮的机械效益。

You will build models to see how gear trains can increase speed or torque, and how linkages change the direction of motion. These principles are later applied when constructing moving parts in a design project, such as a mechanical grabber or simple lift.

你将搭建模型以观察齿轮组如何提高转速或扭矩，以及连杆如何改变运动方向。这些原理随后会应用于构建设计项目的运动部件，比如机械抓手或简易升降机。

Mechanical advantage (MA) = Load force ÷ Effort force

机械效益 = 负载力 ÷ 作用力

For a lever, MA = effort arm length ÷ load arm length.

对于杠杆，MA = 动力臂长 ÷ 阻力臂长。

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6. Energy Sources and Power Systems | 能源与动力系统

Every machine needs energy. In this section, you will distinguish between renewable sources (solar, wind, hydro, biomass) and non-renewable sources (coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear). You will learn about energy transformations – for example, in a wind turbine, kinetic energy of wind is converted into electrical energy.

每台机器都需要能源。在本节中，你将区分可再生能源（太阳能、风能、水能、生物质能）与非可再生能源（煤、石油、天然气、核能）。你将学习能量转换——例如，在风力涡轮机中，风的动能转化为电能。

You will study simple power systems: batteries as a source of direct current, and how motors and generators work. There is an emphasis on energy efficiency and the importance of reducing waste in engineered products.

你将学习简单的动力系统：作为直流电源的电池，以及电动机和发电机的工作原理。教学中强调能源效率以及减少工程产品浪费的重要性。

• Energy chain: sun → plants → fossil fuels → electricity → motion. | 能量链：太阳 → 植物 → 化石燃料 → 电能 → 运动。
• Electrical power (P) = voltage (V) × current (I). | 电功率 (P) = 电压 (V) × 电流 (I)。
• Carbon footprint of materials: why aluminium recycling saves 95% energy. | 材料的碳足迹：为什么回收铝可节省 95% 的能源。

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7. Introduction to Electronics | 电子学基础

Electronics is the branch of engineering that deals with circuits, components and signals. Year 7 starts with the basics: understanding conductors and insulators, drawing simple circuit diagrams using standard symbols, and measuring voltage, current and resistance using a multimeter.

电子学是工程的一个分支，涉及电路、元件和信号。Year 7 从基础开始：理解导体与绝缘体，使用标准符号绘制简单电路图，并使用万用表测量电压、电流和电阻。

You will build series and parallel circuits on breadboards, learning how adding more bulbs affects brightness. You will also meet basic components such as resistors, LEDs, switches and buzzers, and use Ohm’s Law to make simple calculations.

你将在面包板上搭建串联和并联电路，了解增加灯泡数量如何影响亮度。你还将认识电阻、发光二极管、开关和蜂鸣器等基本元件，并运用欧姆定律进行简单计算。

V = I × R (Ohm’s Law)

V = I × R （欧姆定律）

• Series circuit: one pathway, current same everywhere, voltage divides. | 串联电路：一条通路，电流处处相等，电压分压。
• Parallel circuit: multiple branches, current divides, voltage same across branches. | 并联电路：多条支路，电流分流，各支路电压相同。
• Resistor colour code: learn to read 4-band resistors. | 电阻色环码：学习读取四色环电阻。

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8. Control Systems and Automation | 控制系统与自动化

A control system manages, commands or regulates the behaviour of other devices. In Year 7, the focus is on understanding open-loop and closed-loop systems. An example is a simple traffic light system (open-loop) compared to a thermostat-controlled heater (closed-loop with feedback).

控制系统管理、命令或调节其他设备的行为。Year 7 的重点是理解开环与闭环系统。例如简单的交通灯系统（开环）与恒温器控制的加热器（带反馈的闭环）。

You will explore input sensors (light, temperature, pressure), a processing unit (like a microcontroller) and output devices (motors, LEDs, alarms). Through simple flowchart programming, you will create automated responses, such as a fan that turns on when the temperature rises.

你将探索输入传感器（光、温度、压力）、处理单元（如微控制器）和输出设备（电机、LED、警报器）。通过简单的流程图编程，你将创建自动响应，例如温度升高时开启风扇。

• Micro:bit or similar: an easy platform to learn coding and control. | Micro:bit 或类似平台：学习编程和控制的简易工具。
• Input → Process → Output model: the core of all control systems. | 输入 → 处理 → 输出模型：所有控制系统的核心。
• Feedback: using a sensor to adjust output automatically. | 反馈：用传感器自动调节输出。

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9. Programming and Robotics Fundamentals | 编程与机器人基础

Programming is a modern engineer’s language. Year 7 students are usually introduced to block-based coding (like Scratch or MakeCode) to understand sequence, selection (if/else) and iteration (loops). These concepts are applied to control a simple robot or simulated vehicle.

编程是现代工程师的语言。Year 7 学生通常通过积木式编程（如 Scratch 或 MakeCode）了解顺序、选择（如果/否则）和迭代（循环）。这些概念被应用于控制简易机器人或模拟车辆。

You will write programs to follow a line, avoid obstacles or solve a maze. This unit highlights logical thinking and debugging – finding and fixing errors in code – which is a key engineering habit. The robot kit may be something like LEGO Spike Prime or a simple motor-driven buggy.

你将编写程序实现循线、避障或迷宫求解。本单元强调逻辑思维与调试——找出并修正代码中的错误——这是一项关键的工程习惯。机器人套件可能类似 LEGO Spike Prime 或简单的电机驱动小车。

• Algorithm: a step-by-step procedure to complete a task. | 算法：完成任务的逐步过程。
• Sensors used: ultrasonic (distance), colour sensor, touch sensor. | 所用传感器：超声波（距离）、颜色传感器、触碰传感器。
• Pseudocode: write the plan in plain English before coding. | 伪代码：在编程前用简明英语写下计划。

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10. Sustainable Engineering and Green Design | 可持续工程与绿色设计

Engineers today must consider the environmental impact of their designs. This module introduces the 6Rs of sustainability: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle. You will evaluate everyday products and suggest design changes to make them more eco-friendly.

如今的工程师必须考虑其设计对环境的影响。本模块介绍可持续性的 6R 原则：重新思考、拒绝、减少、重复使用、修复、回收。你将评估日常用品，并提出设计改动以使其更环保。

The curriculum often includes a life-cycle analysis (LCA) of a simple product like a plastic bottle. You will learn about embodied energy, carbon footprint and the circular economy. A design challenge might ask you to create a product from recycled materials.

课程通常涵盖简单产品（如塑料瓶）的生命周期分析。你将学习隐含能源、碳足迹和循环经济。一项设计挑战或许会要求你用回收材料创作一个产品。

• Finite resources: why we need to shift from fossil-based to bio-based materials. | 有限资源：为什么需要从化石基材料转向生物基材料。
• Design for disassembly: products that can be easily taken apart for repair or recycling. | 可拆卸设计：产品易于拆卸以便维修或回收。
• Social sustainability: fair labour and safe working conditions. | 社会可持续性：公平劳动与安全工作条件。

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11. Technical Drawing and Engineering Communication | 技术制图与工程沟通

Clear communication is as important as technical skill. Engineers use standardised drawings to convey exact details. Year 7 introduces orthographic projection (2D views: front, top, side) and isometric drawing (3D representation on grid paper).

清晰的沟通与技术技能同样重要。工程师使用标准化图纸传达精确细节。Year 7 介绍正投影（二维视图：前、顶、侧）和等距图（在网格纸上的三维表现）。

You will learn dimensioning rules, line types (solid, dashed, centre lines) and how to create neat, scaled drawings. This practice supports your design portfolio and helps you communicate ideas before building.

你将学习尺寸标注规则、线型（实线、虚线、中心线）以及如何绘制整齐、按比例的图样。这一实践支撑你的设计作品集，并帮助你在建造前传达想法。

• Scale: 1:2, 1:5 – make drawings smaller or larger than real object. | 比例：1:2、1:5——使图纸比实物缩小或放大。
• CAD basics: using simple software like Tinkercad for 3D modelling. | CAD 基础：使用 Tinkercad 等简易软件进行三维建模。
• Engineering notebook: record ideas, calculations, modifications. | 工程笔记本：记录想法、计算、修改。

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12. Safety in the Workshop and Digital World | 工作坊与数字世界中的安全

Safety is a non-negotiable part of engineering education. Before any practical activity, you will learn risk assessment: identifying hazards, evaluating risk and applying control measures. Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as goggles, aprons and gloves must be used correctly.

安全是工程教育不可妥协的部分。在开展任何实践活动之前，你将学习风险评估：识别危险、评估风险并采取控制措施。必须正确使用护目镜、围裙和手套等个人防护装备。

You will be taught safe handling of tools – craft knives, saws, glue guns and soldering irons (under supervision). Digital safety is also covered, including respectful collaboration in online engineering platforms and protecting your data when programming.

你将学习安全使用工具——美工刀、锯子、热熔胶枪和电烙铁（在监督下）。数字安全同样涵盖，包括在线工程平台中的尊重协作以及在编程时保护你的数据。

• Workshop rules: never run, tie back long hair, report breakages. | 工作坊规则：不得奔跑、扎起长发、报告破损。
• Electrical safety: avoid water near circuits, check insulation. | 电气安全：电路附近防水，检查绝缘层。
• Cyber hygiene: strong passwords, log off shared devices. | 网络卫生：强密码，离开共用设备时登出。

Published by TutorHao | Engineering Revision Series | aleveler.com

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