pens worksheets

This Design & Technology workbook challenges students to rethink an everyday classroom item — the school pen — through the lens of sustainability, user needs, and innovative product design. Linked to Unit R038 learning, it encourages pupils to apply theoretical knowledge to a real-world design problem.

Students will:

• Investigate why most school pens are unsustainable and prone to failure.

• Identify user needs, environmental impacts, and design opportunities.

• Write a clear design brief and specification using the ACCESS FM framework.

• Develop and communicate design ideas through annotation, sketching, and specification links.

• Explore sustainable design principles, including the 6Rs, circular economy, and product lifecycle considerations.

• Consider materials, manufacturing processes, and ergonomic factors in their design solutions.

This resource is ideal for GCSE D&T theory-to-practice tasks, helping students integrate sustainability thinking, technical knowledge, and creative problem-solving in preparation for coursework and assessments.