For every product to be made, materials are key. Their use, and their abuse. This impacts the environment in different ways and those need to be understood. The lower the impact the better it is for the environment – and in a full cycle, also better for us – and who best to learn it from than nature.
 
My take on the IB Curriculum Structure:
If you see the IB curriculum, you will find that the way I have put together the chapters, they differ in order. This is because this is the best way (I feel) to teach Design Technology. Starting from how one comes by ideas, develops them, manufactures them, keeping comfort a priority, and manages resources to come up with a great design solution.