Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Design and Technology
Lesson Topic: How materials are enhanced through processes and additives, including: metal enhancement (work hardening, annealing, case hardening, hardening and tempering), polymer additives (plasticisers, pigment, fillers, anti-static, flame retardants, stabilise
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe how mechanical deformation and thermal treatments modify metal microstructure and properties.
  • Explain the purpose and effects of key polymer additives on material performance.
  • Compare metal enhancement processes and polymer additive strategies for specific design requirements.
  • Apply selection criteria to choose an appropriate processing route for a given product brief.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Handouts with summary tables (metal processes & polymer additives)
  • Sample steel specimens (for annealing/quenching demo)
  • Polymer sample sheets (with different additives)
  • Worksheets and calculators
 Introduction:

Begin with a quick look at everyday objects – a gear, a phone case – and ask how they achieve strength, flexibility or fire‑resistance. Recall students’ prior knowledge of basic material properties. State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to explain and select appropriate enhancement processes and additives.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): short quiz on previous lesson’s material properties.
  2. Mini‑lecture (15'): overview of metal deformation vs. thermal treatments, key processes.
  3. Demonstration (10'): annealing and quenching of a steel rod; discuss observed changes.
  4. Group activity (15'): analyse polymer samples, identify additives and predict effects.
  5. Guided worksheet (10'): link chosen processes/additives to a design brief (gear vs. housing).
  6. Plenary (5'): recap key points and answer any misconceptions.
Conclusion:

Summarise how processes and additives tailor material performance and why this matters for design decisions. Students complete an exit ticket stating one metal process and one polymer additive they would choose for a given product. Assign homework: research a real‑world product and report the material enhancements used.