Polymers properties, sources and stock forms
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify polymer categories, sources and stock forms.
Key learning points
- Polymers are long chains of monomers, classified as natural or synthetic and grouped as thermoforming or thermosetting.
- Most polymers are made from petrochemicals, which are synthetic.
- Polymers are lightweight, durable, flexible, water-resistant, and good insulators.
- Polymers are supplied as granules, sheets, rods, or pipes and have many uses.
Keywords
Polymer - a material made of long chains of repeating units called monomers
Properties - characteristics that determine how materials behave
Stock form - the basic shape or size a material is supplied in
Common misconception
Polymers can all be recycled and are therefore environmentally ok.
Polymers are usually made from non renewable resources and even if recycled, are not sustainable.
Teacher tip
This lesson is a great opportunity to teach about the materials and processes avaiable in your setting, linked to design decisions.
Equipment
Handling a collection of polymer products, such as washing up bowls, washing up liquid bottles, handles, toys, remote controls etc.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is empathy?
Q2.Designing products that as many people as possible can use is known as design?
Q3.Anthropometrics are important to ensure that products are comfortable and ...
Q4.Why is it important to analyse existing products?
Q5.What does ergonomics focus on?
Q6.Which of the following is an ergonomic feature of a toothbrush?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the definition of a polymer?
Q2.There are two categories of polymer, synthetic and ...
Q3.Once manufactured, polymers can be categorised into two groups: thermosetting and .
Q4.Why are polymers usually not sustainable?
Q5.What are the properties of a material?
Q6.Identify the correct definition of stock form.
To help you plan your 8 design and technology lesson on: Polymers properties, sources and stock forms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 design and technology lesson on: Polymers properties, sources and stock forms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 design and technology lessons from the Ergonomic design: accessible controllers unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.