Quality Assured
Tooltip
These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.

Activity 3: Rethinking the System

This activity, from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, follows the format of a ‘Dragon’s Den’ competition. It aims develop student’s understanding of responsible product development and how the principles of the circular economy can be applied to current business practice. Case studies of existing products are analyzed with a view to suggesting improvements using circular economy principles. Students explore the principles of the biological and technical cycles and then apply these to the design of a new product. Working in teams, students develop a business proposition for their new product, which is then assessed against a set of criteria developed by an additional team who act as judges.

The activity could be extended further by linking it with business studies. It could also be used in tutor groups or as the basis of a debate in English lessons.

Design and technology concepts include:

• Product analysis and redesign

• Innovation and business

Circular economy concepts include:

• Biological and technical nutrient cycles

• The importance of viewing ‘products-in-systems’ rather than in isolation, optimizing systems for multiple benefits to a wide variety of stakeholders

• Learning from companies that are leading the transition towards a circular economy

Show health and safety information

Please be aware that resources have been published on the website in the form that they were originally supplied. This means that procedures reflect general practice and standards applicable at the time resources were produced and cannot be assumed to be acceptable today. Website users are fully responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is in accordance with current regulations related to health and safety and that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out.

Downloads

Show downloads

Close

Download all files as a .zip28.95 MB
Information on the permitted use of this resource is covered by the Category Three Content section in STEM Learning’s Terms and conditions.
Subject(s)Design and technology, Design for society and the environment
Age11-14, 14-16
Published2010 to 2019
Published by

Collections
Direct URLhttps://www.stem.org.uk/rxzv4

Actions

Add to favourites list

Share this resource