Choosing materials for the job
Every material has strengths and weaknesses, and part of good design is matching the material to what the product actually needs to do.
Part of your national curriculum
- Make: Select from and use a wider, more complex range of materials and components, taking into account their properties
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Select from and use a wider, more complex range of materials and components, taking into account their properties
Key learning points
- • Key material properties
- • Common material categories
- • Sustainability in material choice
This lesson at a glance
- 20 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 17
Visual introductionPicture this
Choosing materials for the job
Every material has strengths and weaknesses, and part of good design is matching the material to what the product actually needs to do.
In a nutshell
Select from and use a wider, more complex range of materials and components, taking into account their properties
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Key material properties
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Key material properties
Designers consider properties such as strength (resistance to breaking), hardness (resistance to scratching or denting), flexibility (ability to bend without breaking) and durability (resistance to wear over time). A material perfect for one job, like glass being transparent, might be entirely wrong for another, like a phone case, because glass is brittle.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
Common material categories
Materials are often grouped as woods (natural, e.g. pine, oak), metals (e.g. aluminium, steel), polymers/plastics (e.g. acrylic, HDPE) and composites (combinations, like fibreglass, that gain properties neither material has alone). Each category has typical uses based on its properties — aluminium is light and corrosion-resistant, which is why it's used in aircraft and drink cans.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Sustainability in material choice
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
Sustainability in material choice
Modern designers also weigh up sustainability: is the material recyclable, biodegradable or from a renewable source? Choosing responsibly sourced wood or recycled plastic over virgin plastic can reduce a product's environmental impact without sacrificing function.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
____ are often grouped as woods (natural, e.g.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
What does 'flexibility' mean as a material property?
Card 1 of 3
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Choosing materials for the job
3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. What does 'flexibility' mean as a material property?
2. Why is aluminium commonly used for drink cans and aircraft?
3. Which is a genuine sustainability consideration in material choice?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
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Select from and use a wider, more complex range of materials and components, taking into account their properties