The processes and products of technology have profound effects - beneficial and otherwise - on the quality of people’s lives and their environment. Design and technology provides an opportunity for young people to operate in ‘real-world’ contexts. They learn about the inter-relationship of the technical, scientific, environmental, aesthetic, economic, social and moral aspects of our society in a practical manner. This leads to the application of value judgements in situations where these can be assessed constructively. It is important that young people try to be objective in making judgements about their own products and products made by others, D&T activity constantly exercises, and develops their values. Understanding these relationships between design, technology and society is a significant aspect of pupils’ preparation for citizenship and of making value judgements about the kind of world we want to live in and the kind of world we have now.

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Further information:
Food Forum website