Lesson overview

Students discover a range of products which have been redesigned with sustainability in mind. They then consider some of the other single-use plastics they know of and choose one to redesign using a sustainable alternative. Students then develop their designs considering the materials they will use and how it will be manufactured, pitching their idea to the class and reflecting on feedback. At the end of these two lessons the students can produce a protype.

Lesson outcomes

• Understand key events which have shaped the redesign of plastic products
• Research and develop an idea
• Model and communicate design ideas in a variety of forms
• Evaluate ideas against criteria and consider the views of others
• Select a range of tools and materials to develop a product

Lesson steps

1. Single-use alternatives (10 mins)
   Students investigate a range of sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics and reflect on their specifications.
   
2. Redesigning single-use plastics (10 mins)
   They then consider a range of single-use plastics and decide which to re-design focussing on sustainability.
   
3. Developing ideas (15 mins)
   Working in groups students model their design and develop a pitch to share with others.
   
4. Reflect and develop (15 mins)
   Upon receiving feedback on their initial idea students regroup and fine tune their designs.
   
5. Prototype production (10 mins)
   Students then create a product specification and design a prototype, researching tools and materials required for production. Populating a list of required materials.

England

KS2 Design and technology

Design

• Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups
• Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design

Make

• Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately
• Select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities

Evaluate

• Investigate and analyse a range of existing products
• Evaluate ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve work
• Understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world