Design and technology
Compare materials: test, rank and choose
Compare six materials using the same scratch, bend, magnet, water-drop and appearance checks. Pupils record measurements, rank hardness and flexibility, then use their results to choose a material for a bathroom shelf or phone stand.
Compare materials using the same tests. Check the full instructions and teacher-approved safety conditions first.
Read the complete materialRead the material
Compare six materials using the same scratch, bend, magnet, water-drop and appearance checks. Pupils record measurements, rank hardness and flexibility, then use their results to choose a material for a bathroom shelf or phone stand.
Activity. Use the preview for diagrams and layout.
Page 1
LEARNING GOAL Compare woods, metals and polymers in the same tests, then choose one using evidence. SUCCESS CRITERIA I can test fairly and safely. I can record with units. I can choose using evidence. BENCH NAME CLASS DATE PARTNER SAFETY Eye protection Sample clamped Burrs checked No heat same steps for every sample A Scratch Draw a steel nail once across, same pressure. Score the mark 0 to 3. B Bend Same overhang, same mass. Measure the drop in mm. N S C Magnet Touch a magnet to the sample. Does it pull? Y or N. face edge D Water drop 3 drops on the face, 3 on a cut edge. Wait 10 minutes, wipe, look. 2 marks I CHANGE ONLY I KEEP THE SAME AND 6 marks SAMPLE A SCRATCH 0 TO 3 B DROP (MM) C MAGNET Y OR N D WATER ON FACE D WATER ON EDGE E APPEARANCE AND FINISH Pine softwood MDF manufactured board Aluminium metal Mild steel metal Acrylic polymer HIPS high impact polystyrene A 0 none, 1 faint, 2 clear, 3 deep. D N no change, Dk darker, Sw swollen. E two words: grainy, matt. Material properties 1 TEST 2 RANK 3 CHOOSE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY AGES 13 TO 16 MATERIALS Material properties comparison N 1 Four tests 2 Keep it fair 3 Record your results mm mm mm mm mm mm Page 1 of 2
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4 marks TIES SHARE A BOX 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH Hardness 1st = faintest scratch Flexibility 1st = biggest drop 10 marks 6 marks MY PRODUCT Bathroom shelf Phone stand Pick one. List two needs, such as: not damaged by water. IT MUST... BEST SAMPLE MY EVIDENCE FROM THE TESTS hard stiff flexible brittle absorbent water resistant ferrous non-ferrous GO FURTHER A phone stand can be made by bending one flat sheet with heat. Which of your samples could be shaped this way? Why not MDF? Use your own results 1 TEST 2 RANK 3 CHOOSE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY AGES 13 TO 16 USE YOUR EVIDENCE Rank, explain and choose 4 Rank the samples 5 Explain your results Which was hardest? Quote two scores. Q1 3 marks Which did the magnet pull? Why? Q2 2 marks Compare MDF's face and edge in water. Why does it matter for a product? Q3 3 marks Bend test: one unfair step, one fix. Q4 2 marks 6 Choose a material MY CHOICE AND WHY I would choose ... because my results showed ... Final Page 2 of 2
A teaching sequence
Compare material properties using consistent tests and justify a product choice with recorded evidence.
Compare materials using the same tests. Check the full instructions and teacher-approved safety conditions first.
Read the complete materialTest with consistent methods
Use the same procedure for pine, MDF, aluminium, mild steel, acrylic and HIPS; record sample details, clamp them, wear eye protection and scratch once with a steel nail. Score from 0 to 3, check for burrs and do not heat.
Which quantity and timing must stay the same for each sample?
Compare bending, magnets and water
For bending, use a common overhang and mass and record the drop in millimetres. Check magnet response and water drops on face and cut edge after ten minutes.
Have you recorded the measurement or score before ranking it?
Rank and explain the evidence
Record appearance and finish in two words, then rank hardness and flexibility using the key and recorded tests.
What would make the bend test fairer?
Choose for a product's needs
Choose a material for a bathroom shelf or phone stand, linking two product needs to test evidence. Do not treat a heat-forming prompt as permission to heat material.
Which test result supports the material property your product needs?
Before you teach
Look for the thinking behind an answer, choose the support your class needs and leave room for an independent response.
What to look for
Check that samples were tested with the same steps and that measurements include units. Ask pupils to distinguish an observation from an explanation and connect the final choice to the product requirements. Note that the exact sample, finish and test setup affect results.
Give a little support
Demonstrate each test with an approved sample and a consistent method. Provide clamps, eye protection and adult help for handling samples. Allow pupils to record results as words or symbols before writing a comparison.
Take the idea further
Ask pupils to repeat one test and compare results between teams. They can identify a source of unfairness, improve the method and discuss how a material’s finish or manufacturing process might change its properties.
Things to keep in mind
These classroom checks are simplified comparisons, not standardised material tests. Results depend on sample thickness, finish and test force. The heating question is for discussion only; do not heat or bend materials without approved equipment and direct supervision.
Keep the idea. Make it yours.
Bring your topic, learning goal and class context to PLAI™, then review what you create.
Ideas to try with your class
Sample teaching perspectives on what to try, what to adapt and what to watch for.
Meet The Creators
Meet the creators whose teaching interests connect with this template. Find an approach to try with your class.
Nathan Boateng
When something does not stand up or function as intended, we can ask why, identify a constraint and try another solution.
Meet the creatorPatrick Nkemelu
I use clear scoring rubrics for design-and-build challenges, making criteria visible in advance so student judges can compare entries fairly while allowing different ideas and solutions.
Meet the creator
Calm Table
The two-page test compares pine, MDF, aluminium, mild steel, acrylic and HIPS using scratch, bend, magnet and water-drop observations. It specifies controlled conditions, units and a ranking before choosing a material for a shelf or phone stand.
Helpful Highlighter
The worksheet links test evidence to a design decision, with tie rules and prompts for hardness, flexibility and water resistance. The sample checks (clamp, burrs, eye protection and no heat) make the practical setup explicit.
Quietly Curious
Have pupils record each sample consistently before ranking, using the 0 to 3 scratch scale and millimetre drop. The product need, such as avoiding water damage, then gives a reason to prioritise one property over another.
One More Question
These small tests do not establish full product performance or safety. Follow the stated precautions and use results only for the tested samples and conditions before making a broader design claim.