Textiles

Students are asked to design and make a sock puppet that can be used to promote the social issue of 3-5 years olds starting school. They begin by briefly analysing a simple textile product - their school tie to consider how a relatively simple product still has been designed to be effective. They need to consider a...

Systems

Students are asked to design and make a waving animal toy prototype, that could be used to inspire a child aged 5-10 spiritually - to inspire them to be self confident. To start students look at a litter picker and discuss, in pairs or small groups, what is the product. Students look at ideas of animals to inspire...

Graphics

Students are asked to design and make a logo to promote anti-bullying that is suitable for production in all sizes and with a wide range of media. To begin students are asked to identify existing logos through a logo game app. They consider the moral issues of creating an anti-bullying logo and who it could support....

Resistant Materials

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. An...

Food

Students are asked to design and make a club sandwich with 3 layers of bread that would appeal to a wide range of multicultural consumers that use a school cafeteria. To begin students are presented with a range of unfamiliar foods which they can use a range of senses (Look, touch, taste, smell) to identify. Sandwich...

Materials and their properties: natural and manufactured timber

A collection of resources curated for Design and Technology GCSE, to support the teaching of the properties and finishing of timbers.

Wood forming techniques

In this lesson students will develop an understanding of how wood can be formed using a variety of different manufacturing techniques. They will be able to analyse provided wooden product images to make informed choices of best manufacturing methods. Images, videos and animations are included to help deliver the...

Finishes for wood

In this lesson students will develop an understanding of finishes that can be applied to timber to enhance their properties. Students will complete a finishes worksheet throughout the lesson; creating future revision notes. Lessons learnt knowledge will be tested in a series of exam style questions with provided...

The properties of timbers

In this lesson students will gain an understanding of timber seasoning (both naturally and artificially) to help reduce the moisture content. They will develop an understanding of the process of converting a log into lumber and timber conversion through video clips and diagrams. Exam style questions are included...

Understanding the properties of manufactured boards

In this lesson students will gain an understanding of  the properties of manufactured boards. They will learn the names of different manufactured boards and their applications. The pros and cons of manufactured will also be learnt with the environmental impact covered through case studies, videos and a classroom...