We want to excite young people about design and engineering, demystify the design process, and encourage creativity.
Whether you're a teacher or student, our resources will give you an insight into the process of making something that works.
Engineering Challenges
Think Differently More info
case studies & product analysis
Engineering box - physical loanMore info
The James Dyson Foundation Engineering Box is a reverse engineering resource. It contains:
- 1 Dyson DC26 vacuum cleaner
- 7 Dyson Turbine Head floor tools
- 1 Dyson Carbon fiber floor tool
- 8 Torx screwdrivers
Plus, for your school to keep:
- James Dyson Foundation Teachers Pack
- James Dyson's autobiography - Against the Odds
- Design engineering posters
It's loaned to your school for a period of 4 weeks at a time, completely free. It's ideally suited to ages 11-18 but can also be used for younger students and at universities. Use it with the James Dyson Foundation Teacher's Pack and Product Analysis Resources.
To order an Engineering Box, click here.
Teachers Pack - PDFMore info
The James Dyson Foundation Teacher's Pack is an in-depth case study of the development behind a DC26 Dyson vacuum cleaner. It also features profiles of Dyson design engineers, the history of how the bagless vacuum cleaner was developed, and activities for your class. An essential accompaniment to the Engineering Box - the Teacher's Pack includes detailed instructions on how to disassemble the DC26 vacuum cleaner.
Product analysis ResourcesMore info
You can also download our new hands-on product analysis and reverse engineering resources which work alongside the Engineering Box.
Dyson Product Design
DC11 Design Process More info
- 1 Introduction by James Dyson (5.5 mb)
- 2 The Brief (5.3 mb)
- 3 Research (6.5 mb)
- 4 Idea Development (5.5 mb)
- 5 3D Prototyping (22.4 mb)
- 6 Production & Testing (12 mb)
- 7 Evaluation & Modifications(5 mb)
Learn about the design process behind Dyson's DC11 vacuum cleaner, featuring James Dyson and top Dyson design engineers. It can be used on its own, or alongside other resources we offer.
build your own cyclone - a3 model kitMore info
Cardboard modelling is an inexpensive and quick way to test your design. It's easy to modify, and can be used to experiment with functionality, as well as aesthetics. The Build Your Own Cyclone kit enables you to make your own functional cardboard cyclone which you can connect to a vacuum cleaner to demonstrate the principle of centrifugal force.
Engineering Resources
Engineering PostersMore info
Download our free posters to liven up your classroom walls. Investigating different aspects of the design process, as well as paths into design engineering, the posters can be used with our other resources, or on their own to support learning.
Click on the poster thumbnails (above) to view and download
ENGINEERING LABMore info
To celebrate the launch of our exhibit at Science World, Canada, we've created the Engineering Lab online - a fun, interactive online resource for young engineers.
"I was given a choice at school: pursue either arts or sciences. There was no happy medium on offer for a boy who enjoyed solving problems and making things with his hands. I stumbled across my flair for design engineering by mistake. 40 years on, I'm passionate about it. And I've realized what I missed out on at school."
Useful LinksMore info
TV
Dyson references:
Museum partners:
- Design Museum, London
- Science Museum, London
- Victoria and Albert Museum, London
- Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris
- SS Great Britain, Bristol
Institutions and Academies:
- Royal Academy of Engineering
- Stem Directories
- Design and Technology Association
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Argonne National Laboratory
- Northwestern University
University partners:
- Brunel University
- Glasgow School of Art
- Northumbria University
- Royal College of Art
- Southbank University
- London South Bank University
Education and careers
The James Dyson Foundation is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
