Materials and manufacturing processes: polymers and timbers
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can determine and justify the materials and manufacturing processes required to manufacture my design.
Key learning points
- When selecting suitable materials for manufacturing, decisions need to be explained and justified.
- A manufacturing specification is written to inform manufacture.
Keywords
Justification - the reason or explanation for why something is done, or believed to be right
Manufacturing specification - a detailed document that outlines requirements to produce a product
Working property - the way in which a material responds to an external force or certain environment; also referred to as mechanical properties
Physical property - the characteristics of a material, such as appearance and features
Manufacture - the process of making products from raw materials using machines or labour
Common misconception
Choosing materials is always based on aesthetics.
Many factors determine the material choice, such as the purpose and environment of the product. For example, MDF is absorbent and not suitable for damp or humid places, unless finished with a waterproof layer.
Teacher tip
Have a range of sample materials available for pupils to hande.
Equipment
Basic workshop tools such as coping saws and pillar drill.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What can a designer evaluate their design against?
Q2.What does the word 'justify' mean?
Q3.The balanced relationship between different parts of a product is called?
Q4.What information can be seen around the outside of this sketch?
Q5. is used in design and prototyping to represent objects at a different size than their actual dimensions.
Q6.Put these ratios in size order from biggest to smallest.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.The ways in which a material responds to an external force or a certain environment are referred to as
Q2.Which stock forms are polymers available in?
Q3. is very stable in all directions due to alternate direction layering.
Q4.Which of these health and safety concerns must you consider when cutting MDF with a coping saw?
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Materials and manufacturing processes: polymers and timbers, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Materials and manufacturing processes: polymers and timbers, 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 Polymers and timbers unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.