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ForestLearning has launched a new teaching resource for Years 7–8 Design and Technologies: Sustainable Timber Design – The Phone Stand Project.

In this hands-on, curriculum-aligned unit, students design and produce an interlocking phone stand using engineered wood products like plywood. Along the way, they build real-world workshop skills and explore the environmental, social, and technical factors that shape sustainable design.

Why use this resource?

This unit supports students to design solutions that are not only functional but also sustainable. Using renewable timber and manufactured wood, the Phone Stand Project enables students to:

• Investigate design needs through user profiling and market research
• Explore the properties and life cycle of engineered wood
• Generate, produce, and evaluate their own physical phone stand
• Learn about circular economy principles in the context of design
• Develop workshop and production planning skills in a safe, guided way

What’s included?

The resource provides everything you need to deliver a complete unit of work, or integrate selected lessons into an existing program:

• Ten structured lesson plans
• Student workbook (interactive PDF or printable)
• Teacher guide with learning outcomes, timings, and preparation notes
• Production guide with safety tips and materials lists
• Step-by-step “how-to” video tutorials
• Technical drawings and 3D models
• Lesson PowerPoint slide decks
• Exemplar student responses and marking support

All content is aligned to Australian Curriculum v9.0 (AC9TDE8K01–05 and AC9TDE8P01–05), and was co-developed with DATTAVic and experienced classroom educators.

Feedback from teachers has been overwhelmingly positive:

“It’s awesome to see people producing units that are plug-and-play for staff.”

— Teacher, Shailer Park State High School

“ForestLearning lessons and units look to be very useful and relevant.”

— Teacher, Ferny Grove State High School

Sustainability in focus

This unit helps students understand that good design involves more than aesthetics and functionality. It also involves ethical decision-making, selecting renewable materials, and designing for environmental responsibility. Sustainability is embedded throughout the lessons, supporting students to explore the role of timber in a low-carbon, circular economy.

Access the resource

Download the full unit for free, including all supporting materials, at:

https://forestlearning.edu.au/resources/phone-stand-project/

To explore more curriculum-aligned projects using sustainable timber, visit the ForestLearning Design and Technologies resource library. Printed packs and headset kits are also available for schools and events. Contact us for more information.