British English CC

Minimising material waste

Design and technology

Pupils will handle, shape and join sheet materials using different manufacturing processes.  They will test and experiment with different mechanical fixing methods and adhesives and then use this knowledge to explain which choices are suitable and why.

Principles of materials and manufacturing

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Use of equipment that may require supervision for safety, e.g. scissors in KS1, needles, paint, knives, cooking.

Buy more materials than you think you'll need.

Use as many different materials as possible.

What can you do before starting a project to help minimise material waste?

Which statement is a phrase to help measuring and marking out accurately?

What are the benefits of using a stencil or template when manufacturing?

To arrange shapes without gaps or overlaps.

To shrink shapes to fit into smaller spaces.

What is the purpose of tessellation in manufacturing?

{{}} is the process of arranging different shapes on a material in a way that minimises waste

Which of the following shapes can tessellate on a flat surface without gaps or overlaps?

It increases pollution and harms ecosystems.

It helps conserve natural resources and reduce landfill waste.

How does reducing waste benefit the environment?

Using resources in a way that they can be replaced for future generations.

Using only the cheapest resources available.

Using resources without worrying about their long-term availability.

What does 'sustainability' mean when it comes to using resources?

Natural materials are made by humans, synthetic materials are found in nature.

Natural materials come from the earth, while synthetic materials are man-made.

Natural materials are less durable than synthetic ones.

Synthetic materials are always cheaper than natural materials.

What is a key difference between natural and synthetic materials?

Which polymer is commonly used in school for vacuum forming?

They are made from minerals found in the Earth.

They are produced from natural materials like plants and animals.

They are manufactured from fossil fuels, such as petroleum and natural gas.

They are sourced directly from renewable resources like water and wind.

Where do most synthetic polymers come from?

It decreases costs because more materials are used.

It increases costs due to the need for more materials and disposal.

It lowers costs by reducing the amount of material needed.

How does material wastage impact production costs?

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz