New
New
Lesson 5 of 8
  • Year 10

Distribution: Better Shelter and wind-up radio

I can explain how decisions for the distribution stage can reduce the environmental impact of a product.

Lesson 5 of 8
New
New
  • Year 10

Distribution: Better Shelter and wind-up radio

I can explain how decisions for the distribution stage can reduce the environmental impact of a product.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Decisions for the distribution stage have the potential to reduce environmental impact.
  2. Design for supporting developing countries consider sustainable distribution.

Keywords

  • Distribution - process of getting a product from the manufacturer to the stakeholders

  • Circular economy - products and materials are kept in circulation and do not become waste

  • Design opportunity - a gap, or a need where a new or improved product would be beneficial

  • Carbon emissions - volume of carbon produced contributing to global warming

Common misconception

The only way to reduce environmental impact at the distribution stage is through using electric vehicles.

There are many ways such as designing flat pack, stackable, lightweight products, and location of manufacture.


To help you plan your year 10 design and technology lesson on: Distribution: Better Shelter and wind-up radio, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Choose a cardboard box and find a product it can fit e.g. a classroom chair. Predict how many disassembled chairs would fit in the same box. Use this to discuss how assembly affects transport volume and the sustainability impact of flatpack design.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The Fairtrade logo often appears on ...

Correct answer: bananas.
Correct answer: chocolate.
vehicles.
sports equipment.

Q2.
The living income in developing countries is less than ...

£1 per day.
Correct answer: £2 per day.
£5 per day.
£10 per day.

Q3.
What percentage of chocolate bought in the UK is Fairtrade?

6%
8%
10%
Correct answer: 12%

Q4.
Match the term to the definition.

Correct Answer:fairtrade premium,investment to help build stronger, healthier communities

investment to help build stronger, healthier communities

Correct Answer:fairtrade price,minimum price that must be paid to producers

minimum price that must be paid to producers

Correct Answer:living income,money needed for a household to have a decent standard of living

money needed for a household to have a decent standard of living

Q5.
What does LCA stand for?

Life Cost Assessment
Correct answer: Life Cycle Assessment
Life Creation Assessment
Living Cycle Assessment

Q6.
Which is the correct definition for the circular economy?

regular care and fixes to keep a product working properly and lasting longer
products that are no longer used or useful
Correct answer: products and materials are kept in circulation and do not become waste

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the fuel to the source.

Correct Answer:biodiesel,produced from used cooking oil

produced from used cooking oil

Correct Answer:hydrogen,made from water using electricity

made from water using electricity

Correct Answer:biogas,comes from organic waste

comes from organic waste

Correct Answer:algae fuel,uses fast growing aquatic organisms

uses fast growing aquatic organisms

Correct Answer:bioethanol,made from crops like corn

made from crops like corn

Q2.
In addition to using bio and low emission fuels, how else can the environmental impact of distribution vehicles be reduced?

Correct answer: improving fuel efficiency through route planning
reducing driving speeds to lower emissions
Correct answer: monitoring emissions and setting sustainability targets
increasing driving speeds to get to destinations quicker
Correct answer: modifying vehicle design to reduce air resistance

Q3.
Which of the following is not a sustainability benefit of Better Shelter's distribution design?

Flat pack design reduces carbon emissions.
Modular parts allow for efficient storage and delivery.
Local assembly reduces global shipping needs.
Correct answer: Shelters are delivered fully assembled to save time.

Q4.
Trevor Baylis’ main focus for the wind-up radio was on the of producing electricity without the need for batteries or mains powered sources.

Correct Answer: functionality, function