Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Design and Technology
Lesson Topic: The working properties, stock forms and sizes, common uses and environmental impact of the following composite materials: foam core/foam board, foil backed and laminated card, e.g. Tetra Pak®, manufactured boards (chipboard, engineered wood, medium d
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the working properties, stock forms, typical uses and environmental impacts of each listed composite material.
  • Compare the advantages and limitations of the materials for product design.
  • Analyse how material selection influences sustainability and manufacturing processes.
  • Apply this knowledge to recommend an appropriate material for a given design brief.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Sample sheets: foam board, Tetra Pak® card, chipboard, MDF, plywood, GRP kit, CFRP sample
  • Handouts with summary table
  • Worksheets for recording observations
  • Rulers, craft knives, safety goggles
  • Whiteboard and markers
 Introduction:

Begin with a quick visual poll: “Which material would you choose for a lightweight, insulated display?” Connect to prior knowledge of basic material properties. Explain that today’s success criteria are to identify key properties, compare sustainability, and justify material choices.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Quick quiz on previously covered material properties.
  2. Mini‑lecture (15'): Overview of each composite’s properties, stock forms and environmental issues.
  3. Material stations (20'): Small groups rotate through sample stations, record observations on worksheets.
  4. Group analysis (15'): Compare notes, create a Venn diagram of advantages/disadvantages.
  5. Design challenge brief (20'): Teams select the most suitable material for a specified product and justify their choice.
  6. Exit ticket (5'): One‑sentence summary of the most important sustainability consideration.
Conclusion:

Recap the key differences between the composites and highlight how sustainability influenced the design decisions. Collect exit tickets and assign a short homework: research a real‑world product that uses one of the discussed materials and evaluate its environmental impact.