Teachers' Information for Composite

Here are some suggestions for composite related discussions and practical activities:

Activity 1: Mix it up!

Choose a mixture of materials and design a work of art that combines them. Ask pupils to explain why they chose that mixture. What would be the processes and problems in making the work of art?

Activity 2: Animals of Stone

The Musical Box with Orpheus Taming the Animals uses fresh water pearls as the base for the bodies of animals. Pupils could collect different-shaped stones and use these as the bodies of animals. What animal could each stone be made into? Use plasticine to add to the stones to create the animals.

Activity 3: Fashion in a box

Snuff boxes were designed to reflect the latest fashions. Pupils could think about what is fashionable nowadays (clothes, furniture, patterns) and design a gold box to suit today’s fashion.

Activity 4: Constructing Composites

Think about modern, everyday objects that are made from a variety of materials. Examine how they have been put together. Is it with glue, nails or using other processes?

Activity 5: Locating Materials

Pick an object from this category and try and find out where the materials used come from. Think about how expensive it must be to source materials from all over the world and put them together. Work out how far the different parts had to travel.