Project Reuse

Students create an intervention that encourages the reuse of a product that would typically be thrown away after a single use - available to subscribers of The PrintLab Classroom

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Lesson Overview

In this lesson, students create an intervention that encourages the reuse of a product that would typically be thrown away after a single use. The project begins with a presentation, which highlights the problems with our current linear economy. Students are then introduced to a new way of thinking (The Circular Economy) and work in teams to define the problems with unnecessary waste at their school. Through an inquiry-based design process, they create a 3D printed intervention and test its functionality in a chosen location within their school. The final part of the project involves students developing proposals to manufacturers, suggesting ways they could redesign products for a circular economy.

Subject Areas

The lesson can be incorporated into the study of maths, design technology, and computing. The material can be adapted for ages 10-16. The curriculum is aligned to ISTE, NGSS, CCSS and UK National Curriculum standards. A comprehensive list of standards met is included in the lesson platform.

In this project students will:

  • develop an understanding of linear and circular economies and their effect on society and the environment

  • go through a process of inquiry and investigation to determine the problems of unnecessary waste at their school

  • go through a creative design process, exploring multiple design solutions, to develop a 3D printed intervention to encourage the reuse of products at their school

        • make decisions on the best way to test their interventions, before implementing and analysing the tests to inform design improvements

        • use written and visual techniques to communicate a proposal to a manufacturer, which encourages them to redesign their product in a more sustainable way

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