The Alu D&T Challenge is a free teaching resource for students aged 11-14 and offers a new engaging way to get students excited about Design and Technology

The resource was developed in 2012 by Alupro and the Aluminium Federation (ALFED), in conjunction with the Design and Technology Association (DATA) to help students become more aware of the importance of sustainable design and the role aluminium can play in it.

As well as being linked to the curriculum and packed with inspirational ideas and practical examples, the resource challenges students to design an item using aluminium. There are four categories to choose from: transport, built environment, packaging and technology.

Go to www.aludtchallenge.co.uk to download the resource

In 2012 we ran a national competition for pupils to submit their designs to be judged by a panel of industry experts.  75 schools took part, submitting 670 entries from 965 students.

 Read all about the competition, and see the winning designs here

Other resources to support teaching about Aluminium and Metals

If you’re searching for resources or information about aluminium and recycling here are a few sites you might find interesting:

• www.thinkcans.com (Novelis Recycling) – activities and information about aluminium can recycling for Key Stages 1 – 4
• Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association – information about metals and how food and drink cans are made.
  Secondary schools Geography resource: ‘Metals and Me’
• Recycle Now – how to recycle at school, lesson plans and resources
• Keep Britain Tidy / Ecoschools – get recycling and earn recognition for your efforts in the internationally-recognised scheme.