This resources provides students with an introduction to the topic of modern materials. It provides an overview of what modern materials are and why we might use them for different products. The specific materials included are:

• Nanotechnologies
• Liquid crystal displays
• Graphene
...

This resource explores the topic of advanced metals, including titanium and metal foams. It provides examples of how the metals are used in engineering and space, explores the properties of the materials and suggests investigation activities that students can use to gain a greater understanding of the topic.

Biomimicry is based on the idea that we can take inspiration from nature when solving problems in design and engineering.  Biopolymers are polymers made from natural sources. This resource provides a great introduction to biomimicry and biopolymers. It provides examples of biomimicry and biopolymers and suggests...

A coated metal has a coating applied to the surface to enhance or change its functional or aesthetic properties. This resources explores the topic of coated metals, specifically anodising, galvanising, powder coating, dip coating, electroplating. 

This activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), allows students to compare old and new technologies (railway five-pointer telegraph against the SMS message) to experience how significant the advances in technology have been. The nature of...

These materials, from Waste Watch (part of Keep Britain Tidy), have been developed to make explicit links between sustainability and packaging for students following GCSE level design and technology courses. The scheme of learning includes suggested activities for five active learning sessions, supported by the...

In this activity, students are introduced to Maglev technology as a way of reducing the friction between the tube and the train in a vacuum tube train. Students are presented with the scenario that in 2025, the UK has been invited to invest £100 billion towards the...

In this challenge, students are asked to evaluate an existing product – a step counter or pedometer. They then create a step counter to encourage healthier lifestyles among teenagers. It is based on a BBC micro:bit device which includes an accelerometer capable of detecting ‘shake events’. These events are then...

This activity focuses on promoting a product to a particular target user group. Teamwork, creativity and entrepreneurial skills are required to design, brand and market a new Nintendo Wii product.

In this activity,...

This resource contains a series of lessons which are designed to extend students’ knowledge and understanding of plastics and plastic waste on a global scale. Linking to materials and their properties, the environment, recycling and design and technology, they contain investigations and activities aimed at both...

In this Nuffield ...

In this Nuffield Foundation activity students carry out an investigation into some sporting techniques to establish whether practice improves performance. They conduct research into the rationale for training schedules for different sports. Students then investigate target games to explore whether scoring systems...

In this Nuffield Foundation activity students use secondary data to investigate how changes in technology have led to improved performance in cycling. They research footwear to see how materials of different properties can be combined for specific purposes and carry out a practical investigation to define the...