Modern Materials Learning Resources

England

KS3 Design Technology

Subject content

Students  should work in a range of domestic and local contexts (for example; the home, health, leisure and culture), and industrial contexts (for example; engineering and manufacturing).

Technical knowledge

• Understand and use the properties of materials and the performance of structural elements to achieve functioning solutions.

Make

• Select from and use a wider, more complex range of materials, components and ingredients, taking into account their properties.

Evaluate

• Investigate new and emerging technologies.
• Understand developments in Design and Technology, its impact on individuals, society and the environment, and the responsibilities of designers, engineers and technologists.

KS3 Science

Scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding

Teachers will wish to use different contexts to maximise their pupils’ engagement with and motivation to study Science.

Materials

• Properties of ceramics, polymers and composites (qualitative).

Measurement

• Understand and use SI units and IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) chemical nomenclature.

Wales

Resistant materials and textiles

Range

Pupils should be given opportunities to develop their Design and Technology capability through:

• Activities in which they investigate, analyse and evaluate products in order to acquire technological and health and safety knowledge and understanding that can be applied in their designing and making.
• Activities in which they learn about the responsible use of materials considering issues of sustainability.
• Learn about the properties and characteristics of materials and apply this knowledge and understanding when designing and making products.
• Undertake materials testing, to determine suitability for intended use.
• Combine and process materials in order to create enhanced properties and desired aesthetic characteristics.
• Be aware of current developments in materials technology, e.g. ‘smart’ materials.
• Consider issues of sustainability when choosing and using materials.

Science

Chemical and material behaviour

The properties of a material determine its uses

Range

Pupils should have particular regard to:

• Scientific enquiry.
• Scientific and technological developments, their benefits, drawbacks and risks.
• Ethical, social, economic and environmental issues and their interaction with science.

Scotland

Science

Materials: exploring the properties of different substances and how they can be changed to develop their understanding of the connection between structure and properties, exploring the development of new substances which have useful properties