Energy and the impact on designs
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify how the design of products can impact the environment in terms of energy.
Key learning points
- Processing iron to become steel uses a huge amount of energy.
- Transporting products uses energy.
- Many companies are designing products for a circular economy.
Keywords
Circular economy - products and materials are kept in circulation and do not become waste
Life cycle assessment (LCA) - assesses the environmental impact at every stage of a product’s lifecycle
Carbon emissions - volume of carbon produced contributing to global warming
Obsolete - a product that is no longer used or useful
Common misconception
Environmental impact only occurs when products are disposed of.
The circular economy and LCA consider the environmental impact at every single stage of a product's life cycle.
Teacher tip
Keep hold of any products that excessively use packaging, such as Easter eggs. Have a look around the school/home for products that 'grow' with the user as examples of sustainable products, such as adjustable chairs/products.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Identify the negative effects of a renewable energy source.
Q2.In a power station, coal can be used to make electricity. Which statement is not true?
Q3.Match the definition to the keyword.
Q4.Which products use a renewable source of energy?
Q5.Rank the modes of transport from most sustainable to least sustainable.
Q6.What does the word 'obsolete' mean?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the phrase to the meaning.
Q2.What is the main goal of a circular economy?
Q3.Life cycle assessment (LCA) is where the environmental impact is assessed at __________ of the product's life cycle.
Q4.Carbon emissions are the volume of carbon produced contributing to ...
Q5.At the distribution stage of a product's life cycle, the impact on the environment can be reduced by ...
Q6.Match the method of reducing environmental impact to the right stage of the circular economy.
To help you plan your 11 design and technology lesson on: Energy and the impact on designs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 design and technology lesson on: Energy and the impact on designs, 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 4 design and technology lessons from the Core principles unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.