Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 18/01/2026
Subject: Design and Technology
Lesson Topic: Structures: forces, stability, strength, frameworks, reinforcement
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the different types of forces acting on structures and represent them diagrammatically.
  • Explain how stability and strength are evaluated using key equations and criteria.
  • Apply the design process to select materials, calculate required sections, and specify appropriate reinforcement for a given load case.
  • Analyse simple framework systems (truss, frame, space frame) for load distribution and efficiency.
  • Evaluate design solutions against safety factors and assessment criteria.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Printed worksheets with force diagrams and calculation tables
  • Sample material specimens (wood, metal, composite strips)
  • Rulers, scales, and calculators
  • Structural modelling software (e.g., SketchUp or CAD) – optional
  • Safety goggles (if handling physical specimens)
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick visual of a collapsed bridge to hook interest, then ask students what forces might have caused the failure. Review prior knowledge of basic force concepts and equilibrium. State that today they will learn how to assess stability, strength, and reinforcement in structures, and will be able to produce a simple design meeting safety criteria.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students label forces on a simple beam diagram displayed on screen.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Explain forces, stability types, and key equations with examples.
  3. Guided practice (15'): Work through a sample calculation of section modulus and check Euler buckling for a column.
  4. Group activity (15'): Design a small truss or frame using provided material strips; calculate required reinforcement and safety factor.
  5. Peer review (10'): Groups exchange designs, critique force diagrams and justification of material choices.
  6. Plenary (5'): Recap key concepts, answer questions, and set exit ticket (one‑sentence summary of how reinforcement improves strength).
Conclusion:
Summarise how forces, stability, and reinforcement interrelate in safe structural design. Students complete an exit ticket stating the most critical factor when selecting reinforcement. Assign homework to research a real‑world structure and identify the reinforcement technique used.