We see aeroplanes fly, and cars move daily, but how do they move? In this engaging KS2 activity, students will learn about a vital force called ‘thrust’ and construct their very own balloon-powered car. Through this hands-on experience, participants will enhance their engineering skills, practical craftsmanship and their understanding of scientific principles. They will make and test their cars and discuss the force that makes it move - its thrust. This activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach learners about thrust, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on forces. It could also be used as a D&T or Engineering activity to develop practical making skills. Download the presentation for a step-by-step guide on how to make the balloon-powered car. The teacher could demonstrate the making shown in each step, and learners could complete each step after it has been shown. Alternatively, if learners are able, the teacher could show all steps first and then learners could make their car. The engineering context Comprehending thrust and its associated forces is important for automotive, aerospace, and space technology engineers. A prime illustration lies in designing high-speed racing cars, where the aim is to propel the vehicle forward with utmost velocity. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to make and test a balloon-powered car, and they will be able to understand what is meant by thrust. Download our activity sheet and other related resources for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. You can download our step-by-step instructions below as either a classroom lesson plan or PowerPoint presentation. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation

In this activity learners will look at different methods to find position and direction on a map. They will learn how to use coordinates and bearings using angle and distance. They will work with a pirate treasure map and a series of worksheets to work out where the treasure is. Differentiated worksheets allow the learners to progress from using simple coordinates and vector coordinates to polar coordinates using bearings with angles and distances. This activity could be used as a main lesson activity, to teach learners how to use coordinates and angles. Further number skills may be used to work out map scale and distances. Download our activity sheet and other related resources for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. You can download our step-by-step instructions below as either a classroom lesson plan or PowerPoint presentation. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Identify parts of the human body with a 2D paper model This activity is one of a set of resources developed to support teaching the KS1 primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within maths and science. This resource focuses on developing an understanding of the basic parts of the human body through assembling a 2D paper model. By creating a captivating 2D paper model, students will have the opportunity to unleash their artistic talents and delve into the fundamental components that make up our remarkable anatomy. What you will need Thin card for printing the human body template to handout Erasers (or sticky tack or foam rubber) Safety scissors Split pins Coloured crayons/pencils Glue sticks. The engineering context Biomedical engineers assist individuals in reclaiming their lives following significant injuries; they can fabricate new body parts, such as arms and legs. Moreover, bioengineers can potentially restore hearing to people who are deaf or hard of hearing using electronic solutions. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to identify basic parts of the human body, and they will be able to make a 2D paper model of the human body and name, draw and label the basic parts. Free to download! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable so that you can tailor them to your students and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, helpful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

In this fun science activity for kids, learners will be shown the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees, in terms of their foliage and changes across the seasons. The difference will be reinforced by comparison with behaviours relating to the wearing of clothing. This exercise could also include the creation of a ‘class tree’ where learners write their names on leaves and attach them to a paper representation of a tree on a noticeboard. This is one of a set of free STEM resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within maths and science. This resource focuses on understanding the difference between different types of trees. This activity could be used as a main lesson activity. It could also be used as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on the use of science to understand the natural environment. This activity will take approximately 30 – 50 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Projector Noticeboard with ‘tree’ structure assembled from strips of brown sugar paper Paper for learner leaves Safety scissors (unless leaves are pre-cut) What is the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees? Deciduous trees lose their leaves in autumn. Evergreen trees, on the other hand, keep their needles (or pines) all year. Deciduous and evergreen are the terms used in the national curriculum, but some learners may find hardwood and softwood easier. Hardwoods come from deciduous trees and softwoods come from evergreen/coniferous trees. These terms are just types of wood and not the properties of the wood – hardwoods are not necessarily hard (balsa is soft enough that it can be marked using a thumbnail) and softwoods are not necessarily soft (parana pine is used to make wooden stairs). Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to state the differences between a deciduous and an evergreen tree and they will be able to describe how a deciduous tree changes with the seasons. Download the free The Difference Between Deciduous and Evergreen Trees activity sheet! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Teaching fractions and measurement through filling beakers During this enjoyable KS1 activity, students will have the opportunity to experiment with working out fractions while enhancing their comprehension of capacity. Fractions are like puzzle pieces that help us understand how to divide things into equal parts. Using water and different sized beakers/containers, that are proportional to each other in size, to explore capacity and volume. By the end of this activity, students will be able to explore and work confidently with fractions. This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within maths and science. The engineering context Comprehending capacity and volume is crucial for engineers as they design containers for various liquids and materials. Whether it’s aircraft fuel tanks or a simple tube of toothpaste, knowing when they are half full or half empty is essential. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to describe and measure capacity and volume, and they will be able to understand that fractions, halves and quarters can be combined as part of a whole unit. Download the activities sheets for free! The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation

Examine water droplets by making rain We often complain about rain when it gets us wet, but do you know what causes it to fall? In this activity learners perform a fun yet simple experiment to investigate the water cycle. Spray shaving foam on top of a glass of water to create a ‘cloud’, add food colouring to represent water droplets, and watch as the cloud fills up, producing ‘rain’. Discuss findings as a class. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links This activity could be used as a starter or main activity to introduce the causes of rain, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focussing on seasonal changes and the weather. This is one of a set of resources developed to support the delivery of key topics within maths and science and the teaching of the primary national curriculum. Tools/resources required Drinking glasses Access to a sink and/or source of water Shaving foam Food colouring Pipettes Download for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Using paper and a CD to create rainbow reflection patterns This activity could be used as a starter or main activity to introduce the concept of reflection, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on how light behaves. This is one of a set of free STEM resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within maths and science. Activity overview In this activity learners will use a torch and a CD to create ‘rainbow’ reflection patterns on a piece of paper. They will learn about how light reflects off objects, the colours that make up white light and how these are separated when a torch is shone onto a CD. Working in the dark can be potentially dangerous, so ensure all risk assessments are in place and learners are not moving around the room whilst the lights are switched off. Learners should see different colours reflect off the CD and onto the paper to create a rainbow effect. They could move the torch around to create different patterns of colour. The white light from the torch is made up of seven different colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet). These are split into their separate colours by the CD and reflected onto the paper stuck to the wall, thus creating a rainbow effect! This is a quick and easy rainbow experiment that will take approximately 15-30 minutes. Tools/resources required A3 paper or thin card Torches Compact discs (CDs) Masking tape Access to room that can be made dark The engineering context An understanding of light and reflection are vital to the development of photography, lighting, and security equipment. For example, cameras, smart lighting systems, and alarm sensors. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will know that white light is made up of seven different colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet), they will have an understanding of how light reflects off objects and they will be able to use a torch, paper and CD to create rainbow reflection patterns. Download the Easy rainbow experiment activity sheets for free! All activity sheets, worksheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Improve and develop your programmable system This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons. Home security is increasingly important as homeowners look to ensure that their properties and possessions are protected from potential burglary. Alarm systems are being developed with increasingly complex embedded electronics and programmable components. In this unit of learning, learners will research, program and develop a working door access and alarm system using the BBC micro:bit. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity, learners will improve and further develop their programmable system using the BBC micro:bit. The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Download the activity sheets for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Learn how mathematicians predict UK’s future water usage In this activity students will explore water consumption by looking at mathematical modelling and its real-world application in predicting water usage. Students will estimate their daily water consumption, interpret complex data, and apply their mathematical skills to understand why water usage is a significant issue. This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3. It has been designed to support the delivery of key topics within maths, science and design & technology (DT). This lesson plan follows on from Water Conservation and continues the theme of water usage developed in the Sewage Tunnels activity but can be delivered independently should the teacher wish. Activity: Comparing water usage within the UK to that of other countries In this activity, students start by estimating their daily water usage. They then delve into complex data from the Environment Agency, interpreting different scenarios and their potential impact on future water requirements. Students will develop their own spreadsheet tool, inspired by the one on the Southern Water website, to help others estimate their water usage. They’re encouraged to improve upon the existing tool and even write to the Water Board with their suggestions. Download our activity overview, presentation and worksheet for a detailed lesson plan for teaching students about water consumption. We also have a class quiz. The engineering context This activity highlights the intersection of mathematics, science, policy-making, and engineering in addressing real-world problems. By engaging in this activity, students will understand how engineers use mathematical models to predict future scenarios and develop solutions for sustainable water usage. They’ll see first-hand how engineering can make a significant impact on society and the environment. Suggested learning outcomes This lesson plan is designed to equip students with the ability to analyse and interpret a wide range of data, understand the application of mathematical modelling in real-world situations, and use their mathematical knowledge to review, recreate, and improve presented information. Students will also gain insights into the importance of water conservation and the challenges in meeting increasing water demands. Download our activity sheet for free! The lesson plan includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. All activity worksheets and supporting lesson plan resources are free to download (including film clips!), and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation

Students design an ideal set of headphones This is an engaging exercise aimed at secondary school students. This resource will allow learners to understand ergonomics and aesthetics in an authentic context and apply their findings in a creative and challenging way. Students are given the opportunity to think about acoustic engineering and to analyse earphones currently on the market in a structured, detailed, and creative way. They are then encouraged to investigate the potential development of the product. Download our free activity sheet below to view a case study of a pair of Bang & Olufsen earphones. Discuss as a class the styling and marketing of this product. The CAFEQUE (Cost, Aesthetics, Function, Ergonomics, Quality, User, Environment) principles can then be used to analyse them. Using what they have learnt from this product, ask the students to analyse their own headphones/earphones and to produce a critique of them. They should focus on which areas they would develop and why. To support the students, use the ‘Acoustic Engineering’ presentation for assessment criteria that stipulate what is expected in this detailed design-development sheet. These criteria can be developed with the students, using the example as a starting place. Tools/resources required Projector/whiteboard A range of earphones and headphones (these could be provided by the students or collected by the department over time) Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this resource students will understand how to analyse a product. They will also be able to identify areas for development when analysing a product and they will be able to present their design considerations when deciding which areas and features to develop. Download the activity sheets for free! Also available Acoustic Engineering 1 All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation.

Making a maze game from a bottle and a magnet Learners will draw a maze layout on a plastic bottle and use a magnet to guide objects, such as a 1p coin, around the maze. This is a fun STEM challenge that will teach students about how magnets attract certain materials and will show them how to apply this knowledge in an engaging and practical way. This resource could be used as a one-off activity or as part of a wider unit of work focussing on magnets and magnetism. It can also be used in conjunction with other IET Education resources, developed alongside the School of Engineering at Cardiff University. Activity: Magnetic maze STEM challenge This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within science and design and technology. This resource focuses on developing understanding of magnetic materials by producing a maze game. This activity could be completed as individuals or in small groups depending on the equipment that is available. As an optional extension students could replace the coin with a ball bearing, a paper clip, a plastic coin and a small piece of wood. Which ones work well and which do not? Students could also draw different maze layouts and use different sized bottles to create a range of puzzle products! Alternatively, students could compete with their friends to see who can complete the maze the fastest by timing themselves with stopwatches. Tools/resources required Pre-made exemplar Magnets 1 pence coins (post 1992) Plastic drinks bottles Paper clips (for extension activity) Ball bearings (for extension activity) Plastic coins (for extension activity) Small pieces of wood (for extension activity) Different coloured marker pens Stopwatches (for extension activity) The engineering context Engineers need to know the properties of magnets, which materials are magnetic and which materials are non-magnetic. This knowledge could be used when identifying and creating potential solutions to future engineering problems. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this exercise students will have an understanding of what makes a material magnetic, they will be able to give examples of magnetic and non-magnetic materials and they will be able to make a maze game using a bottle and a magnet. Download the activity sheets for free! All activity sheets, worksheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Investigating everyday products to see if they are magnetic In this activity learners will predict whether they think different products are magnetic based on the material that each product is made from. They will then test their theory by using magnets, to see whether or not each product is attracted to a magnet. This resource is a great way for KS2 students to learn all about magnets and could be used as a one-off activity or as part of a wider unit of work focusing on magnets and magnetism. It can also be used in conjunction with the IET Education ‘Magnet Madness’ resource, developed alongside the School of Engineering at Cardiff University. This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within science and design and technology. This resource focuses on identifying whether everyday products are made from magnetic materials. This activity could be completed as individuals, in pairs or in small groups. Learners could be given all the products at once to test, or the teacher may wish to lead through one product at a time, recapping the key tasks and questions for them to consider as they go through. Discussion topics and key questions for learners can be found on the presentation below and detailed instructions on how to complete the activity can be found on the activity sheet. This activity will take approximately 40-60 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Magnets Plastic drinks cups 2 pence coins Steel door keys Aluminium drinks cans Steel paper clips Wooden toy cars The engineering context Engineers need to know the properties of magnets, which materials are magnetic and which materials are non-magnetic. This knowledge could be used when identifying and creating potential solutions to future engineering problems. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this exercise students will know which materials are magnetic and which are not, they will be able to give examples of magnetic and non-magnetic materials and they will be able to test products to see whether they are made from magnetic materials. Download the free How do magnets work? activity sheet! All activity sheets, worksheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Primary classroom poster giving a closer look at some of the applications of engineering in our everyday lives. Download the single poster or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.

Find out about the carbon cycle and what Land Rover BAR are doing to be as sustainable as possible This STEM activity looks at the meaning of sustainability and how the team at Land Rover BAR use material technology, design and engineering to ensure that every aspect of the team’s operation is fit for use, designed for purpose and is as sustainable as possible. Activity sheets are used to support and ensure students’ understanding of sustainability and the importance of design and technology when achieving sustainability goals within sport. This chemistry exercise covers the meaning of the term sustainability and what this means in terms of the carbon cycle. Watch our film below and hear how sustainability experts at Land Rover BAR work to make every aspect of the team’s operations sustainable. After you have watched our film, complete our worksheets to find out about the carbon cycle and what Land Rover BAR are doing to be as sustainable as possible! The engineering context Sustainable engineering is the process of designing systems in such a way that they use energy and resources sustainably. Sustainable engineers make a huge impact on society. The carbon cycle refers to the process where carbon dioxide travels from the atmosphere into the Earth and then back into the atmosphere. Most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments, while the rest can be found in the ocean, atmosphere and living organisms. Land Rover BAR Land Rover BAR is the British Challenger for the 35th America’s Cup – the oldest international sporting competition in the world. There are only six crew on the race boat, but dozens of experts are back at the team base working hard to help Land Rover BAR design the most technically advanced and innovative racing catamaran to win the America’s Cup. The Land Rover BAR team also aims to be as sustainable as possible. They monitor how they create carbon emissions that add to global warming and find ways to reduce these emissions. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Understanding levers and forces This STEM activity aims to develop children’s understanding of levers, specifically the seesaw class lever, one of the simplest forms of machine used to change the magnitude or direction of a force. Making a small seesaw model is a fun-filled way to introduce children to the concepts of levers and forces. By making simple levers, learners will grasp how the effort applied to a lever affects the load. This hands-on project not only sparks their curiosity but also encourages active learning. We’ve created this seesaw scale activity to support the teaching of key topics within design and technology (D&T), maths, and science as part of the primary national curriculum at key stage 2 (KS2). You can use it as a one-off activity or link it with a measurement activity in food technology. Activity: Making the lever Learners will make a simple lever assembly from a binder clip, ruler, two paper cups and sticky tape. Children will also be asked to use a lever to work out the force required to move a load. Learners will compare results and explain their findings. Depending on available resources, this activity could be carried out individually or in small teams. Tools/supplies needed: Rulers Large binder clips Paper cups Sticky tape Weights such as steel nuts, small weights from science or marbles The engineering context Engineers use their understanding of how the effort applied to a lever affects the load in designing a wide range of products. From weighing scales to control pedals in cars, nutcrackers, wheelbarrows, bottle openers, and scissors, levers find their application across various industries. By understanding the seesaw lever class, learners will gain a fundamental insight into the principles that govern these everyday objects. Suggested learning outcomes Through this activity, learners will gain the ability to identify the parts of a lever and understand how the effort applied to a lever affects the load. They’ll also understand the principle of balance in a seesaw lever and how distance from the fulcrum impacts the effort needed to move a load. This will equip them with the foundational knowledge about levers, a key component in KS2 science, and provide a practical context for understanding mathematical concepts like multiplication and equality. Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so that you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation

Learn how to create a captivating retro lava lamp in this fun Christmas STEM activity for kids. Have a go at our mixtures and density experiment to create fun colour bubbles and explore science. Equipment you will need A jar Half a jar of sunflower oil Water Red food colouring Bicarbonate of soda or an effervescent tablet And a torch The engineering context Understanding the way different materials work and the properties they all hold is vital in creating and developing solutions to our world’s problems. Engineers are interested in the world around them and use these different materials as the basis of every solution they create. Watch the IET video with ‘Science with Bexy’ and download the activity sheet for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable so that you can tailor them to your students and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, helpful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Oh ho ho, please share your experiment highlights with us @IETeducation! #SantaLovesSTEM.

Learn scale with ancient Greek mathematics In this engaging activity for kids inspired by the achievements of ancient Greece, students will discover how to create a scale drawing of an object using ancient Greek mathematics. This activity, which combines maths and history, will introduce students to the concept of scale and teach students facts about how the ancient Greeks have affected modern life. Resources for teachers are provided. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Make a water clock to measures time In this fun activity for kids, students will learn how water can measure time using principles from ancient Greece. They will then create a Greek water clock that can be used to measure a set period. This activity will test students’ maths abilities and teach them historical facts about ancient Greece. Resources are provided for teachers. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

This resource will tell you how to make your own marshmallow. But not only that, we will be learning about the science of baking, and how a small change to the mixture can make a big difference. Have you ever tried a marshmallow? They’re delicious! You will be surprised by the amount of maths and science that goes into making these lovely little treats. Working out what works well, what doesn’t, how many ingredients to use and ratios, are all packed into one fun resource. All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. You can download our step-by-step instructions as a classroom lesson plan or to follow at home. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation. Oh ho ho, and please do share your poetry highlights with us @IETeducation! #SantaLovesSTEM

Secondary classroom poster highlighting some of the areas in which the human body can be improved with technology. Download the single poster or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.