In the first table list all the materials or components that you could use in your designs. e.g. 6mm plywood, flexy ply, MDF, acrylic sheet, HIPS, aluminium, brass, mild steel, switches, sensors, pic chips, mechanisms, motors etc.

For each material describe its properties such as function (what it does), strength, density (weight), easy to work, tough, hard, flexible transparent etc.

In the last column say what the possible use could be - such as making the case, handles, feet, sensor unit, mechanism etc.

In the Components Box cut and paste or hand sketch pictures of any components that could be used in your designs. Then at the bottom explain how these materials and components could be used in your project e.g.

• an LED could be used to indicate that the alarm is on,
• a siren could be used as the warning of intruders etc.
• a switch can be used to turn power on and off.
• HIPS could be used to vacuum form the case,
• acrylic could be laser cut to make the mechanism.

In the Adhesives and Fixings box again sketch or cut and paste a range of fixings and fastenings which could be used in your designs. Hinges, a range of screws, nuts and bolts, nails and pins. Include - Tensol cement (for acrylic) and Araldite(2 part epoxy resin can glue almost anything!). Superglue which is also effective on a wide range of materials.

Label everything and say what they could be used for. e.g. M4 nuts and bolts could be used to hold the operating lever in place.

You can add extra headings on these sheets to suit your project