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Introduction
Bare Facts aims to give an interactive introduction into the science
behind popular cosmetics and toiletry products - why we use them,
what they are made from, and how they work. The site also encourages
students to consider the design, manufacture and marketing of cosmetic
products and toiletries. Bare Facts demonstrates how science, design,
manufacturing and marketing are applied to the real world of the
cosmetics and toiletry industry. The site is intended for use at
Key Stage 3, though it may be applicable to lower ability Key Stage
4. There are fact sheets, practicals and worksheets that can be
printed out and used as desired.
The Bare Facts site enables students to work at their own pace,
either online or by downloading information from the site. These
teacher's notes contain a number of fun experiments and practicals
that can be used in the classroom, but are also ideal activities
for science club, science fairs or open days. There are also some
question and extension sheets that you can use in conjunction with
the site, as plenary questions or set as homework.
Some technical terminology used in this site may not be familiar
to all students. If the meaning is not directly explained in the
text then students will find explanations within the Body Science
sections, often contained within the diagrams as 'cursor roll-over'
explanatory notes.
The web links highlighted in this site will take students onto
other appropriate sites to conduct their own individual projects
and research.
Science
The different sections can be used together in one or more lessons.
Alternatively, each section may be used independently in a shorter
section of a lesson when studying related topics. The sections could
each be used as an introductory activity to a topic or plenary at
the end of a lesson shown to the class on an interactive whiteboard.
They might be appropriate for the following topic areas:
| Product |
Topic |
National Curriculum Relevance |
| Lipstick |
Light, Reflection, Colour, Skin |
Sc2.1a, Sc2.1e, Sc4.3b, Sc4.3c, Sc4.3e |
| Hair Styling |
Hair, Light, Bonding |
Sc2.1c, Sc4.3b, Sc4.3c, Sc4.3e, Sc3.1e |
Toothpaste |
Teeth |
Sc2.2n |
| Face Wash |
Skin, Acids and Alkalis |
Sc2.1a, Sc2.2n, Sc3.3d, Sc3.3f |
Deodorant |
Homeostasis, Skin |
Sc2.5d Sc2.1a, Sc2.1e |
| Foundation |
Skin, Light/Colour |
Sc2.1a, Sc4.3e, Sc4.4f |
Why do we use it?
Students are able to click on any of the 6 products identified to
gain an insight into to why we choose to use these products, their
role, how they work and why they have become so popular in our everyday
lives.
Body Science
A further click on the “Body Science” button at the
bottom of the “Why do we use it?” pages will lead to
an interactive anatomical diagram (also printable) of the part of
our body that would be affected by each product. Students should
roll over the labels on these diagrams with the mouse to gain further
information.
Assessment
Within the site there are also some simple quizzes to help reinforce
learning and to test basic knowledge. An attainment certificate
can be printed by the pupils as a record for their files.
There are also worksheets below which
can be used by the students to focus their attention as they work
through the site. These are available in Word for flexibility, so
that you can alter/differentiate the question sheets as you wish
for your students.
Other Useful Links
Below are a series of extension
materials for download. The recipes for classroom experiments provide
fun, practical learning and experience of making cosmetic products.
They are not representative of commercially made products which
must comply with stringent quality control requirements and mostly
will contain preservatives or display a ‘best before’
date. Please ensure students do not ingest the ingredients and ask
that all mixes are disposed of after the lesson. They should not
be kept over 24 hours or taken home for personal use.
Design Technology
The Bare Facts website can be used in a variety of ways within
Design and Technology. At the end of this section, there are also
2 worksheets to download: one intended for use in Graphics lessons,
and one intended for Resistant Materials, designed to be used in
conjunction with the site.
Alternatively, you may wish to make project work out of this as
suggested below. The web links provided will enable the pupils to
continue more in-depth research on their own, exploring why cosmetic
and toiletry products exist, what function they can perform for
the consumer and therefore how they are packaged and marketed.
Why do we use it?
Students are able to click on any of the 6 products identified to
gain an insight into why we choose to use these products, their
role, the science of how they work, and why the products have become
so popular in our everyday lives.
Manufacturing and Marketing
This section outlines the processes undertaken when a product is
resourced, designed and produced, what gives it shelf appeal and
how the product is marketed in order to become easily identified
by the consumer. This section leads on to case studies for students
to work through about manufacturing lipstick and marketing face
wash. The project has cross-curricular links with English, Media
Studies, Science and Business Studies.
The following programme of work is suggested to accompany the
site:
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Students research a variety of
articles and advertisements for cosmetic products and toiletries
from all media areas. In groups the students discuss how advertisements
may influence our understanding of products and the perceptions
of reality that they offer. Looking at specific adverts, the
students consider how likely the adverts are to encourage
us to purchase the product.
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Give pupils a copy of the Packaging Outline PDF, which
is at the end of the Manufacturing and Marketing section.
This has a variety of packaging outlines that can be used
to stimulate discussion on the suitability of containers to
their product and their aesthetic appeal to the consumer.
It is interesting to note that the product outlines alone
are easily recognisable as containers for certain types of
commonplace cosmetics and toiletries.
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Students can carry out their own research into a new cosmetic/toiletry
product they want to launch and believe would be a success.
They should consider what it should do and contain, and therefore
how it should be packaged and marketed. They should evaluate
the need for this product.
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Students consider how they would design suitable packaging
for the product. They should create design proposals, mood
boards and then a final design specification.
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Students develop a marketing strategy appropriate for their
new product.
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Students should judge each other’s products, and
carry out research into the desirability of their own final
product and the effectiveness of their marketing campaign
in order to evaluate their project. |
| Subject
Area |
National Curriculum Relevance |
| Developing, planning & communicating ideas |
1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g |
| Working with tools, equipment, materials and components
to produce quality products |
2b, 2e |
Evaluating processes and products |
3a, 3b, 3c |
| Knowledge and understanding of materials and components |
4a, 4d |
Other Useful Links
Other Relevant Subjects
Applied Science GCSE
This site may provide stimulus for students when they study the
Science in the Workplace unit. This asks them to:
- identify businesses that use science
- how scientific activity is carried out within these businesses
- the roles of scientists who work in these organisations.
Engineering GCSE
The Bare Facts site may provide a useful basis for a project in
GCSE Engineering as it covers aspects of the Design and Graphical
Communication unit which covers the following:
- Analysing client design briefs
- Developing design specifications
- Communicating a design solution.
The D&T project work can be extended to cover the following
sections of the Engineered Products unit:
- Selecting suitable materials, parts and components
- Creating a production plan
- Using processes, tools and equipment
Aspects of the Application of Technology unit could also be covered.
Business Studies GCSE
The Design and Technology section of the site may make a useful
case study when considering product pricing, promotion and marketing.
Applied Business GCSE The Design and Technology section of the
site can be used within the Investigating Business Unit:
- Marketing and Sales
- Research and Development
- External Influences
- Environmental Constraints
Media Studies GCSE
The site can be used for the following areas:
- media language
- representation
Manufacturing GCSE
The site could be used for the study of Manufacturing, in terms
of the unit entitled Designing Products for Manufacture.
- product requirements
- developing design ideas
- presenting and modifying design solutions
- producing design briefs and design proposals
- product design specifications.
By working through the Design and Technology project, the site
also contributes to an understanding of the many stages involved
in the engineering and manufacture of a product.
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