teacher's notes
Links to the curriculum
The Skills Space Design and Technology area links most strongly to the Food Technology, Graphic Products and Systems and Control GCSE specifications and to the the Food Technology, Product Design and Systems and Control AS and A2 specifications. There is also a link to GCSE Manufacturing (Double Award). The site is relevant to WRL/WRE/Education for Work.
Through a study of chocolate design and manufacture at Cadbury, Skills Space aims to:
- support the teaching of Design & Technology knowledge, skills, issues and values
- provide a motivating and relevant context for learning about food manufacture, systems and control and industrial practices
- develop students’ awareness of food as a global concern.
There is a significant requirement within the exam specifications for students to learn about industrial and commercial practices and real world technology.
Notes on the activities
Manufacturing
This section presents key information about chocolate manufacturing processes at Cadbury (e.g. the use of batch and flow production, technology and quality control). It outlines what happens during the primary and secondary processing of different types of chocolate. More detail is given for students aged 16+. Students are introduced to some of the laws relating to the content, packaging and labelling of chocolate products. Again, more detail is provided for older students. In the 14–16 area, the “Processing cocoa beans” interactivity tests students’ understanding of the primary processing of chocolate. In the 16+ area, the “chocometer” interactivity illustrates the importance of storing chocolate at the right temperature.
The section includes an opportunity for students to carry out their own manufacturing – The “Just desserts” activity involves manufacturing a prototype product and its packaging. Students aged 16+ also complete the “All Change” activity, which requires them to research and develop a new product.
Product development
This section presents key information about the importance of product development and the product development process at Cadbury. It includes a case study of a successful Cadbury product. The section includes information about design and packaging.
An interactive activity guides students through creating a “mood board”. Older students are asked to create their own from scratch.
Students are also given the chance to carry out their own product development and designing – “Brunch bar brainstorm” involves students aged 14–16 evaluating existing products as a starting point for extending and improving a product range.“Being Heroes” asks students aged 16+ to brainstorm how to extend the Cadbury Heroes range and sketch out designs. The “randomizer” allocates students a random product specification. Based on this they have to produce concept drawings for a new product, undertake research, then amend the designs.
Systems and control
The section presents key information about mechanisms, computer control, sensors, pneumatics. It includes two opportunities to carry out their own systems and control work – an activity requiring them to demonstrate their understanding and an Assembly line activity which supports the application of their understanding.
The numbers game
This interactive activity asks students to act as a new product development manager. They visit different departments, allocating part of their budget to each. Students are given feedback about their choices. When they are happy with their budget, a report is generated. Once the budget has been allocated, the different departments begin work. An activity related to each department’s work is provided:
Production
PDF – printable worksheet
Students complete a product specification.
Market research
PDF – printable worksheet
Students devise a list of questions to use with a group of consumers.
Marketing and design
PDF – printable worksheet
Students complete a technical drawing for the packaging of the new product.
Sales
PDF – printable worksheet
Students brainstorm shops which might stock the new product.
Research and development
Interactive activity
Students can test storing a chocolate product at different temperatures.
Legal and compliance
Students are asked to research laws affecting the production of the new product.
Resource Bank
In the Resource Bank you'll find some video clips, case studies, work sheets and facts.
People profiles
Six video case studies of people who work at Cadbury in a variety of different roles talking about their qualifications, work and progression routes offered to them through their learning:
- Belal – Packaging innovation manager
- Chloe – UK media officer
- Colin – Education manager
- Kate – “Fit for life” programme manager
- Rachel – Process engineering manager
- Trang – Maintenance technician
These videos might be useful to students who are interested in learning about the career routes they might themselves take, or in their learning about the typical tasks undertaken by specific people as part of the business and manufacturing world.
Case studies
Five case studies looking at the development of different products in the Cadbury range:
- Cadbury Dairy Milk
- Cadbury Dairy Milk with Creme Egg
- Cadbury Heroes
- Cadbury Melts
- Trident Gum
World of Work information
Information about work experience at Cadbury, and a downloadable world of work record sheet which you may wish to use with your students.
Facts and figures
Some key facts and figures about Cadbury.