In this activity students design and model a 3D robot arm. Robot arms are an example of a programmable system. They are used in a wide variety of industrial applications, ranging from loading machines to assembling cars, welding parts together and spray painting products. They are also used in applications such as...

This resources  provides a space themed introduction to the topic of E-textiles. It looks at some of the technologies used, provides examples of products that are made possible by E-textiles and provides some hands-on examples of how you can bring E0textiles into your classroom.

This resources provides students with an introduction to the topic of modern materials. It provides an overview of what modern materials are and why we might use them for different products. The specific materials included are:

• Nanotechnologies
• Liquid crystal displays
• Graphene
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This resource explores the topic of advanced metals, including titanium and metal foams. It provides examples of how the metals are used in engineering and space, explores the properties of the materials and suggests investigation activities that students can use to gain a greater understanding of the topic.

Biomimicry is based on the idea that we can take inspiration from nature when solving problems in design and engineering.  Biopolymers are polymers made from natural sources. This resource provides a great introduction to biomimicry and biopolymers. It provides examples of biomimicry and biopolymers and suggests...

A coated metal has a coating applied to the surface to enhance or change its functional or aesthetic properties. This resources explores the topic of coated metals, specifically anodising, galvanising, powder coating, dip coating, electroplating. 

This activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), allows students to compare old and new technologies (railway five-pointer telegraph against the SMS message) to experience how significant the advances in technology have been. The nature of...

These materials, from Waste Watch (part of Keep Britain Tidy), have been developed to make explicit links between sustainability and packaging for students following GCSE level design and technology courses. The scheme of learning includes suggested activities for five active learning sessions, supported by the...

Inspired by the Born to Engineer video from Faye Banks, an engineer who works on the UK electrical network, this resource supports students to increase their understanding of engineering and the design decisions that electrical engineers have to make when creating a new electrical network.

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In this SATIS Revisited resource, students examine data, perform a risk assessment, and see how risks are sometimes reported in the media.

This unit focuses on the consumer and considers whether or not we should be concerned about any pesticide residues that may be found on fruit and vegetables. In the first...

This resource contains a series of lessons which are designed to extend students’ knowledge and understanding of plastics and plastic waste on a global scale. Linking to materials and their properties, the environment, recycling and design and technology, they contain investigations and activities aimed at both...

In this project, students use Autodesk Homestyler to design a living space for a disabled client. The design must include a ground floor living space with outdoor landscape. The overall plot must not exceed 25m x 60m and the living space must not exceed 10m x 40m. Students create a customer profile to base their...

This resource from Practical Action includes a presentation and worksheets which give Key Stage Three and Four students opportunities to understand more about the impact of existing and new products on people and the environment. The presentation is packed with useful activities to reinforce students' learning. The...

Students are asked to design and make an acrylic fridge magnet that would remind a specific type of user to recycle the waste produced within their kitchen at home. To begin students are asked to identify some typical workshop tools, to embed the task within the resistant materials area of design & technology....

In this activity students design and model a robot arm in 2D, need to be able to name the main parts of a robot arm and to be able to design and make a 2D card model of a 3D product. Robot arms are an example of a programmable system. They are used in a wide variety of industrial applications, ranging from loading...