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Navigating a maze - Create a set of clear instructions to navigate a maze path
Create a set of clear instructions to navigate a maze path
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
Programmable robotic systems are becoming an important part of industrial developments in Design and Technology. Robots are now being developed that can sense changes in their surroundings and respond accordingly.
In this unit of learning, learners will use the BBC micro:bit to develop a robotic buggy that can successfully navigate a maze or path.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will create a set of clear instructions to help their partner navigate a maze path.
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
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Programming the robot buggy with the BBC micro:bit
Work as a team to program the robot buggy so that it can navigate a maze path
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
Programmable robotic systems are becoming an important part of industrial developments in Design and Technology. Robots are now being developed that can sense changes in their surroundings and respond accordingly.
In this unit of learning, learners will use the BBC micro:bit to develop a robotic buggy that can successfully navigate a maze or path.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will work as a team to program the robot buggy so that it can navigate a maze path.
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
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Energy use of everyday appliances
Understand the relationship between energy transferred, power and time
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
Reducing energy usage in the home saves money, increases energy security and reduces the need to burn unsustainable fossil fuels. The first step in doing this is monitoring how much energy is used each day.
In this unit of learning, learners will use the BBC micro:bit to develop a prototype for a home energy usage monitoring system that will inform people how long they leave their lights and/or heating on during the day.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will calculate the amount of electrical energy used by one or more of their appliances in the home.
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 free 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.
And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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Golden rules for programmable systems
Create five rules for learning about programmable systems
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
Hundreds of people are killed in accidents on roads in the United Kingdom every year. When schools are situated close to roads there is particular danger to children crossing them. A good, well programmed pedestrian control system can minimise risk and enable people to cross the road safely.
In this unit of learning, learners will use the BBC micro:bit to develop a prototype for a pedestrian crossing for a local secondary school.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will create five ‘golden rules’ for others learning about the topic of programmable systems.
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
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Test and modify the pedestrian crossing system
Create and implement a set of tests for your prototype
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
Hundreds of people are killed in accidents on roads in the United Kingdom every year. When schools are situated close to roads there is particular danger to children crossing them. A good, well programmed pedestrian control system can minimise risk and enable people to cross the road safely.
In this unit of learning, learners will integrate a BBC micro:bit based programmable system into a working product prototype.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will create and implement a set of tests for their prototype and suggest possible improvements.
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
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Create a portable beep tester
Manufacture the beep tester using the BBC micro:bit
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
Technology can be used in sports to enhance performance and help participants to improve their fitness and stamina. For example, automated beep tests can be used to monitor fitness levels during training sessions, and set targets for future improvement.
In this unit of learning, learners will use the BBC micro:bit to develop a prototype for an electronic beep test that can be used to help people monitor and improve their fitness levels.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will use a vacuum former to manufacture a suitable casing and integrate the programmable system into a completed product.
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
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Testing the beep tester
Modify and improve the beep tester design
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
Technology can be used in sports to enhance performance and help participants to improve their fitness and stamina. For example, automated beep tests can be used to monitor fitness levels during training sessions, and set targets for future improvement.
In this unit of learning, learners will use the BBC micro:bit to develop a prototype for an electronic beep test that can be used to help people monitor and improve their fitness levels.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will test their product against the design criteria and suggest possible improvements.
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Design a home energy system
Use the BBC micro:bit to develop a prototype for a home energy monitoring system that will inform people of how long they leave their lights and/or heating on during the day.
In this activity, learners will develop their energy monitoring system using the BBC micro:bit.
This is an ideal exercise for learners to develop programming skills, make use of programmable components and embed intelligence into a product design.
This is a versatile activity that can be attempted by learners as individuals, in pairs or in small groups.
If learners have not seen or used a block systems diagram before it might be necessary to describe this in more detail (i.e., what is meant by input, process, output etc.)
This activity will take approximately 60 – 120 minutes depending on ability and prior experience of learners.
Tools/resources required
Projector/Whiteboard
BBC micro:bit system and online programming software
Internet (to access programming software)
Suitable input devices
Crocodile clips or other wiring options (to attach input and/or output devices)
What is the BBC micro:bit?
The BBC micro:bit is a great way to get kids interested in computing. It is a small, programmable computer that can be used to create a wide variety of activities and projects. It is a powerful teaching and learning tool that helps learners develop their own systems and learn the basics of coding. It is an ideal tool for introducing children to programming concepts in a fun and engaging way.
When writing the program, those who have not done programming before may benefit from writing, experimenting with and downloading the example program shown on the Teacher PowerPoint. They can use this as a base for their own program.
The engineering context
Home energy usage is an ideal topic for teaching about programmable components and embedded intelligence in products. These are key parts of the 2014 programme of study for Design and Technology at KS3.
It is also an ideal vehicle for using the BBC micro:bit in the classroom and developing the programming skills of learners.
Download the free Design a home energy system 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
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Sketch it out
Learners to demonstrate existing knowledge of sustainability issues in Design and Technology
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
Reducing energy usage in the home saves money, increases energy security and reduces the need to burn unsustainable fossil fuels. The first step in doing this is monitoring how much energy is used each day.
In this unit of learning, learners will use the BBC micro:bit to develop a prototype for a home energy usage monitoring system that will inform people how long they leave their lights and/or heating on during the day.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will demonstrate their existing knowledge of sustainability issues in Design and Technology.
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Develop a travel information system
Develop a programmable information system for users of the London Underground
The London Underground is one of the busiest public transport systems in the world. It is used for over 1.2 billion journeys a year. Passengers need up to date information when using it so that they can plan their journeys well.
This could be used as a main lesson activity with ‘Transport displays designed for users’ as the starter. It is an ideal exercise for learners to develop programming skills, make use of programmable components and embed intelligence into a product design.
In this engaging activity students will use the BBC micro:bit to create a prototype for a travel information system that could be used by passengers on the underground. The system must provide both service (how well the network is running) and timetable information when different buttons are pressed.
When writing the program those who have not done programming before may benefit from writing, experimenting with and downloading the example program shown on the Teacher PowerPoint (also provided as a PDF handout). They can use this as a base for their own program. This is provided as JavaScript Blocks Editor Powered by Microsoft MakeCode (microbit-transport-jsb.hex) and Python Editor (transport.py) code. Teachers will need to decide which programming editor is the most suitable for their learners. Code Kingdom can also be used.
This activity will take approximately 60-120 minutes depending on the ability and prior experience of learners.
Tools/resources required
Projector/Whiteboard
BBC micro:bit system and online programming software
Internet (to access programming software)
Suitable sensor inputs and sound outputs
The engineering context
Transport is an ideal topic for teaching about programmable components and embedded intelligence in products. These are key parts of the 2014 programme of study for Design and Technology at KS3.
It is also an ideal vehicle for using the BBC micro:bit in the classroom and developing the programming skills of learners.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will understand a block systems diagram of an information system, they will be able to successfully program the BBC micro:bit so that the system meets the design criteria and they will be able to understand and apply the use of a moving text on an LED display.
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
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Display stand - Create design ideas for a display stand for your information system
Create design ideas for a display stand for your information system
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
The London Underground is one of the busiest public transport systems in the world. It is used for over 1.2 billion journeys a year. Passengers need up to date information when using it so that they can plan their journeys well.
In this unit, learners will use the BBC micro:bit to develop a prototype for a programmable information system for users of the London Underground.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will design and develop ideas for a stand for the transport information display.
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Transport displays designed for users
Investigate what information travellers on the London Underground need
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
The London Underground is one of the busiest public transport systems in the world. It is used for over 1.2 billion journeys a year. Passengers need up to date information when using it so that they can plan their journeys well.
In this unit, learners will use the BBC micro:bit to develop a prototype for a programmable information system for users of the London Underground.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will investigate the needs of users of the London Underground, the information that they require and how programmable systems may help to provide solutions.
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Step counter - prototype to final product
Develop a prototype step counter into a commercially viable product
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
Walking is an excellent form of exercise that most people can take part in. The average person walks 3000-4000 steps per day. The National Health Service in the UK has set a challenge for each person to walk 10,000 steps per day. This can be counted using a step counter or stepometer.
In this unit of learning, learners will integrate a BBC micro:bit based programmable system into a complete and commercially viable step counter product, that will aid people taking part in this challenge.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will develop their prototype stepometer into a completed, commercially viable product.
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Model boat maths challenge for GCSE
Calculate the distance a model boat will travel across water
Two friends are on opposite banks of a river which is 30m wide. One of them has a model boat and plans to send it across the river to the other. The boat has a small motor which moves it forward. Once the boat is in the water, it cannot be steered. Can your students calculate the distance that the model boat will need to travel across the water?
This fun maths challenge will teach students about forces and motion and is perfect for GCSE students!
Activity: Model boat maths challenge for GCSE
The students can work individually or in pairs. Download the teacher presentation below and allow the students some time to read the task on the first slide, then show them slide 2.
Students will need to find the distance downstream from the starting point. A generalised approach to such problems should be introduced along with slide 2.
Leave the students to work on the task and then compare approaches and answers. A GeoGebra file has been supplied to help with the discussion.
Problem Solving
The students can tackle the problem in a number of ways. Some may choose to look at the path of the boat at 1 second intervals, possibly plotting the path on a graph. This is the way the GeoGebra file works. Others may use trigonometry to find the angle the boat travels and then use this with the 30m width of the river to find the distance downstream.
Another approach would be to use a scale drawing.
Pythagoras theorem or trigonometry can be used to find the displacement of the boat from its original position.
The GeoGebra file may be useful to students who wish to gather some results for the general approach or to check their answers.
Discussion Points
This activity could provide an opportunity to introduce vectors and possible resultant force, making a connection with Physics.
Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches would provide students with the opportunity to consolidate their learning.
Extending the problem
It could also be possible, with some students, to consider how to point the boat upstream, so that it ends up at the point directly opposite the start.
Potential GCSE content covered
In this activity students will cover graphs, Pythagoras theorem and vectors.
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
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Flowcharts for shapes
Create a flowchart which identifies the properties of different shapes
Flowcharts show the order in which a series of events is to be carried out. They are used for lots of purposes including; programming microcontrollers with instructions, mapping processes and sorting.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
An engaging activity in which students will make a flowchart to sort various shapes and ensure that each shape finishes in a unique place at the end of the flowchart.
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.
Download the free 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.
And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Mathematical measuring - lengths of leaves
The natural environment – measuring leaves
Trees and their leaves are an important part of our natural environment. We can use our maths and science knowledge to better understand them and hence the environment around us!
In this activity each participant chooses a tree to collect six leaves from. Once the whole class has collected their leaves, return to the classroom to measure the lengths and widths of six leaves from a single tree. Place this data in a table and then calculate the mean average length and width of the leaves from the tree.
As a class discuss the meaning of these values. What do they tell us about the size of the leaves on each tree sampled?
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
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.
This activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach learners how to collect data and calculate the mean value of a data set. It could also be used as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on the use of maths and science to understand the natural environment.
Tools/resources required
Access to an outside area with trees and leaves
Rulers and/or tape measures
Calculators
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.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download and are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
Please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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Halloween STEM activities – Make a sundial
In this fun Halloween STEM activity for kids, students will learn how to use the Sun to tell the time.
They will make a simple stick sundial in the school area, identify where the shadow is cast every hour and mark this with stone and chalk. The following day students can test their results to see if the sundial is accurate at telling the time.
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. This resource focuses on the making of a simple sundial built in the school grounds. This can be used to support learning of telling the time and to understand how light creates shadows.
How long will this activity take? Approximately 20-40 minutes to complete plus follow up.
Tools/resources required
Sticks
Stones/Pebbles
Chalk
The engineering context
Solar engineers design and make solar energy projects, from large-scale ones to home rooftop installations. They need to understand how the sun casts a shadow during the day to make sure their solar panels produce enough electricity.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will be able to make a simple stick sundial and use it to tell the time and they will have an understanding of how the shadow is created with the stick blocking the sun.
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
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Create a map of local flora and fauna
Gather information about local flora and fauna and create a map with coordinates showing the location of plants and animals
In this engaging activity for KS2, students will work in groups to collect information about the flora and fauna in their area. They will then create a map that displays the location of these plants and animals using coordinates.
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 combines understanding of the natural world with maths skills, to create a map and guidebook of the local flora and fauna.
A fun and practical exercise in which students will take real measurements of the area and use grid paper to create a scale representation. Additionally, students will incorporate digital photographs or drawings of the flora and fauna to create informational pages for the guidebook.
For optimal results, it is advisable to conduct this activity in small groups. Selecting a suitable location is crucial, which could be the school grounds, nearby park, or other accessible area such as a local forest.
It may be best if only one team member produces the map, and the other focus on measurement and describing the observed flora and fauna. The flora and fauna could include plants, trees, observed birds and wildlife and insects.
This activity will take approximately 80-120 minutes to complete.
Tools/resources required
Access to an appropriate outside area with flora and fauna
Pencils
Rulers
Clipboards
Digital cameras
Grid sheets to map the local area
Tape measures
Chalk
Glue sticks or sticky tape
The engineering context
Environmental engineers across the globe engage in the mapping of flora and fauna to monitor changes in the natural world. Their research spans a variety of areas, including the impact of deforestation in the Amazon, the effects of climate change in the Polar regions, and the consequences of flooding in Asia.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will be able to draw a map, they will be able to plot the positions using coordinates and they will be able to create, identify, and describe flora and fauna. Additionally, they will be able to use SI units for lengths/distances and they will be able to measure an area and scale it onto a map.
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
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Make a leaf print
Develop and reinforce your knowledge of the different parts of a leaf by painting and labelling a leaf print
In this fun activity for kids, learners will be guided through the process of creating a visually attractive leaf print using various types of leaves and paint. This activity aims to reinforce learners’ understanding of the different parts of a leaf by labelling them.
Download our free activity sheet for a step-by-step guide on how to make leaf prints!
This is one of a set of free STEM resources that has been developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum, with a focus on key topics within maths and science. This particular resource is centred around creating leaf prints and developing knowledge about the main parts of a leaf.
Leaves can be collected from trees in and around the school premises as available. In case it is not feasible for the learners to venture outside and collect leaves, the teacher could have a selection of leaves already picked and ready to use. It is important to avoid leaves that have completely dried out as these will not work.
This activity can serve as the primary lesson or as one of several activities in a larger scheme of learning centred around using science to better understand the natural environment. There is also potential for the incorporation of art and design elements.
This activity will take approximately 60 – 90 minutes to complete.
Tools/resources required
Access to an outside area with trees and leaves
Paints and paint brushes
Old newspapers or other methods of protecting desks from paint
A4 or A3 paper for the prints
The engineering context
Environmental engineers are professionals who work to develop solutions to environmental problems. They use engineering principles to identify and design solutions for a range of environmental challenges, including pollution control, waste management, and water treatment.
Environmental engineers play a crucial role in protecting the environment and ensuring that human activities are conducted in a sustainable and responsible manner. They work in a range of industries, including government agencies, consulting firms and non-profit organisations.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will be able to make a leaf print using different leaves and coloured paints, and they will be able to identify and label the main parts of a leaf.
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
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Tally chart activity
In this interactive and engaging activity, students will create a tally chart to collect data and discover the most popular colours in the class. Get ready to observe, count, and tally as you learn more about your classmates’ colour preferences. By the end of this activity, you will not only have a beautiful visual representation of your classes’ favourite colours, but you will also develop your data collection and analysis skills.
Activity
This activity is one of a set of free STEM resources developed to support teaching the primary national curriculum and key topics within maths and science.
In this activity, learners will produce a tally chart of favourite colours in a class. They will split into groups and go around to the other learners in the class, recording their favourite colours in their chart. They will then add up the totals and discuss their results.
This activity could be used as a main lesson to develop knowledge and understanding of recording and displaying data methods or as part of a wider scheme of learning focusing on statistics. It could also be used as a starting point for learning based on the use of colour in Design & Technology.
How long will this activity take?
This activity will take approximately 40-60 minutes to complete.
Why do we use tally charts?
Tally charts are used to collect and organise data visually. They provide a quick and efficient way to record and count occurrences or responses. Tally charts help simplify data collection, making it easier to analyse and interpret information and identify patterns or trends.
The engineering context
Transport engineers use tally charts to record how many vehicles, and of what types, pass through road junctions or along busy roads; this helps them to plan the timings of traffic lights and identify routes where changes are needed.
Engineers need an understanding of colour when producing aesthetically pleasing solutions for clients.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will be able to construct a tally chart to record and analyse data about their favourite colours.
Download the free activity sheet!
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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.
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