How wireless communications work and why we are heading for the Internet of Things

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Suitable for 11-18-year olds (secondary and high schools, and college), this article and accompanying activity sheet can be used in the classroom, computer/STEM clubs and at home.

This resource links to KS4 and KS5 Information Technology, Computer Science and Engineering. It is also internationally relevant.

It can also be used as a careers resource and links to Gatsby Benchmarks:
Gatsby Benchmark 2: Learning from career and labour market information
Gatsby Benchmark 4: Linking curriculum learning to careers

The article explains how our current wireless systems work, massive machine-type communications and why scientists are looking to 5G to develop the Internet of Things. There is also an interview with electronics engineer Dr Zilong Liu, plus ideas on where this career path might lead.

The activity sheet includes discussion points - eight questions the students can answer in groups or individually. There are also links to educational activities such as IBM’s video on how the Internet-of-Things works.

This resource was first published on Futurum Careers, a free online resource and magazine aimed at encouraging 14-19-year-olds worldwide to pursue careers in science, tech, engineering, maths, medicine (STEM) and social sciences, humanities and the arts for people and the economy (SHAPE).

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