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Year 11 - Design and technology

Material categories

Core principles

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will develop core principles knowledge with an explicit focus on exam technique.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to name specific examples of materials from each material category.

Key Notes

  • Plants and animals are a natural source of materials, such as paper, board, timber and natural textiles.
  • The earth is a source of materials such as those derived from fossil fuels or mined.
  • Natural resources can be processed to create materials such as manufactured board, polymers and synthetic fibres.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • naturally occuring: comes from nature; not made or altered by humans
  • manufactured: produced by humans, often using machinery
  • synthetic: made through chemical processes
  • physical property: the characteristics of a material, such as appearance and features
  • working property: the way in which a material responds to an external force or certain environment; also referred to as mechanical properties

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Textiles are not made from fossil fuels.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Plants and animals are a natural source of materials, such as paper, board, timber and natural textiles. The earth is a source of materials such as those derived from fossil fuels or mined.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'naturally occuring'

comes from nature; not made or altered by humans.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: Textiles are not made from fossil fuels. Correction: Synthetic fibres are usually made from fossil fuels such a polyester and ripstop nylon.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 11 Design and technology guide library.