Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
View my library
0
Teachers
Pupils
View unit
Lesson 4 of 4
  • Year 9

Can products be of use at the end of their life?

Many products are disposed of when we no longer need them, or when they have reached the end of their usable life. In this lesson, we will look at what designers could do to extend the life of a product once it has been used.

Download all
Share activities with pupils
View unit
Lesson 4 of 4
  • Year 9

Can products be of use at the end of their life?

Many products are disposed of when we no longer need them, or when they have reached the end of their usable life. In this lesson, we will look at what designers could do to extend the life of a product once it has been used.

Download all
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

View new resources

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. how products can be developed considering the concept of 'cradle to grave'
  2. the concept of circular economy approaches in relation to product development and consumption

Equipment

Micro:bit, electronics resources (various)

Content guidance

  • Equipment requiring safe usage.

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

Lesson video

Share with pupils
Skip lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf
Share with pupils

4 Questions

Q1.
What is a linear economy?

A linear economy is when a line of shops all contribute to the economy.
Correct answer: A linear economy is when materials are made into products, products are used and then disposed of.
A linear economy is when materials are taken from old products and are put to another use.

Q2.
What is a circular economy?

A circular economy is when cylindrical products are designs. The sale of these items help contribute to the economy.
A circular economy is when materials are made into products, the products are then used and disposed of.
Correct answer: A circular economy is when materials are not disposed of. They find their way back to be used for something else.

Q3.
In design and technology, what does the term 'cradle to grave' best describe?

A circular economy.
Correct answer: A linear economy.
No economy at all.

Q4.
Look at the memory stick from a computer. When someone buys a new computer and discards their old one, what would be the best outcome for this component?

An image in a quiz
Crush it down so it takes up less space and bury it in landfill.
Don't throw away the old computer, keep it as a spare one.
Correct answer: Use it as part of an upgrade on a different computer.

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf
Share with pupils

4 Questions

Q1.
'Take - Make - Waste' summarises which economy?

A circular economy
Correct answer: A linear economy
No economy at all, they are the lines to a song

Q2.
Nature uses a circular economy because...

All of nature is on Earth, and the Earth is round.
nature repeats itself; the same plants and animal keep being born or grown.
Correct answer: No material goes to waste, the use of material is 'circular' as their is a use for all material, even after death.

Q3.
How are some companies doing their best to be part of a circular economy?

Correct answer: Some leading clothing manufacturers are making shoes clothing from discarded plastic materials
The term 'circular economy' here means that customers keep coming back to the shop when they need new products.
They are putting money back into the economy through the tax they pay.

Q4.
Which one of these words is not part of the well known '6Rs'?

Correct answer: Re-fit
Refuse
Repair