Design and technology are subjects that are about the real world, involving the application of scientific and related knowledge to a problem. The built environment is an excellent context for work in this area, as every building involves both design ideas and technological skills. This guide suggests practical activities and ideas for using the historic environment in a stimulating way for teaching the skills and concepts of design and technology. It explores the ways in which any historic environment, from a school or housing development to a castle or cathedral, can be used to stimulate exciting design and technology assignments, or to build up a fund of knowledge to be applied to otherwise unrelated projects. It encourages teachers to get out of the classroom so that design and technology work can be placed in a real context and explains how teachers can use the historic sites in the care of English Heritage for more than just the predictable history field trip. The guide is divided into the following sections: "About This Book"; "Why Use the Historic Environment?"; "Choosing an Assignment"; "Designing Skills"; "Making Skills"; "Evaluating"; and "Design and Technology across the Curriculum." Contains an illustrated glossary and a bibliography and resources list. (BT)