I'm totally stuck for these two school classes and needs some ideas. My juxtaposition for both is CHAOS AND ORDER.
Any ideas would be much appreciated!

Design class:
I have to come up with and make an unconventional book (which is basically anything that opens in a way and contains a message, but not made from normal book). My theme for this is WAR.
So far I have thought of having a grenade that opens in half and then has a mirror inside, to represent "what goes around, comes back around." But I don't think it shows that very well.

Photography class:
For this one I have to create an installation (Google it if you're not sure what it is) that is quite quick and easy to make and then do a photoshoot of it. My theme for this is an APOCALYPSE. So anything that relates to that and maybe a bit of chaos and order. Maybe something like modern technology that has been rusted/fossilized but that would be too hard to make and will probably cost a bit if I wreck the item.

Any ideas would be of help!

I might have some ideas for you Matt, I'll check back later!

They might be slightly ww2 oriented (and on Hitlers side too!).

For your photography one are you allowed to use photoshop? You could make the object look old and rusted like you said without actually doing it.

For the photography...
"koyaanisqatsi" was a film of images only, with rather repetative music, but it was awesome. Very deep and moving. Essentially it showed how perfect the world is, then how mad and worthless human life is.. but at the same time how awesome it is. Loads of time lapse etc. But then, the finishing scene as follows:

An epic rocket, the pinnacle of human achievement... before it explodes.. and it just follows the trailing piece to the ground. So i was wondering if that was the kind of thing you were trying to achieve? If so then some sort of aftermath of a natural disaster, something out of human control could be very moving, sort of set up the scene of a deserted area, old clothes etc lying around.
Other idea is fire. While it is arguably man's greatest invention, it is still one of our greatest enemies. Something with fire, perhaps a plant or something burning could produce some interesting shots.

Thank you for the ideas, yes I can use photoshop, may just have to fake the rust
Will check out the video after school ATC.

I also had a thought lastnight for the design one, that I could make a grenade and have it like a yo-yo. Since when you drop them they fly back up towards you, like the grenade coming back - "what goes around, comes back around." Maybe too simple though.

ATC: Protip, fire wasn't an invention. Fire was a discovery. Teacups aren't natural occurences, therefore they are an invention

Back on topic, I quite like the grenade idea actually, although it may be a tad simple as you put it. But it is a very good idea, easy to execute (lol pun) and it is an easily understandable statement/message.