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Design, engineering and technology
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Making a Diya for Diwali (primary)
Design and make a ghee lamp to celebrate Diwali
Lots of people across the world celebrate Diwali, which is known as the festival of lights. Can you make a diya lamp for use during the celebrations? Traditionally made from clay or mud, diyas are an oil lamp that are considered to bring good fortune.
In this activity, learners will make a diya lamp using air drying clay. They will first create a pinch pot before making this into the shape for the diya. Once dry, they will design and decorate the lamp by adding colour and then use it to see how well it works.
This is one of a series of resources designed to allow learners to use the theme of Diwali to develop their knowledge and skills in design and technology and art.
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 either a classroom lesson plan or PowerPoint presentation
And don’t forget to share your learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETEducation
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Make your own diya for Diwali (secondary)
Making a ghee lamp to celebrate Diwali
A diya is an oil lamp that represents the triumph of light over dark, and good over evil. Diyas are traditionally made from clay or mud, with a cotton wick dipped in ghee to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights.
This resource focusses on making, decorating and safely using a diya. This could be used as a one-off main lesson activity to develop making skills with air drying clay. Alternatively, it could be used as a part of a wider scheme of work to develop designing and making skills in Design and Technology, and Art, or to build links with Religious Education.
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 either a classroom lesson plan or PowerPoint presentation
And don’t forget to share your learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETEducation
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Measure time with a water clock
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
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Make a water mill that generates electricity
Create a water mill to produce electricity and power an LED
In this exciting activity for primary students, kids will understand what is meant by, and the need for, renewable energy.
They will make and test a water mill that produces enough electricity to light an LED and learn how water wheels work. This engineering activity will show students how electricity can be generated using the power of moving water 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
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Design a place setting for a party
Get ready for a street party celebration and introduce basic maths with this fun activity
In this engaging STEM activity, learners will design and make a place setting for a party or celebration. They will identify the items required, measure the space needed for themselves and the items, and use this information to design and make the place setting.
This challenge is perfect for 5–7-year-olds and could be used as a main lesson activity to teach about designing within a theme or practical applications of measurement. It could also be used as a part of a wider scheme of learning focusing on practical skills within graphics or graphic design.
Activity: Design a place setting for a party
This is one of a series of free resources designed to allow learners to use the theme of a celebration to develop their knowledge and skills in Design and Technology and Mathematics. This resource focuses on the designing and making of a place setting for a party to celebrate the event, so you can adapt to any celebration.
Students will use basic maths skills for KS1 to practice with a ruler as they work out how much space is needed to sit and dine together for a party banquet. This exercise will take approximately 80 – 120 minutes and can be carried out in school or at home.
Tools/resources required
Paper and card
Colouring pencils or pens
Scissors
Pencils and rulers
Glue sticks
Access to plates, cups and cutlery for measurement
Disposable cutlery, if available
Paper tablecloth (for extension activity)
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this STEM project students will be able to design from a brief, they will be able to measure dimensions and use these when designing and they will be able to create an attractive and fun place setting for a special party.
The engineering context
All designers and engineers need to be able to produce ideas related to certain themes and follow a design brief. This ensures that the products they design will meet the needs of the end users, customers or clients.
Download the free Design a place setting for a party 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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How to make a crown activity
Use card to craft your very own crown - fit for royalty…
In this practical STEM activity for kids, students will learn about 3D structures within a graphics context. Learners will have the opportunity to use a template to help them cut out the parts for a crown.
This exercise is aimed at primary school students and could be used as a main lesson activity to teach learners about simple structures made from separate parts.
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 is a structure-making activity which involves using graphics media to make and assemble a crown. Parts of this activity may be challenging to some learners as it requires good manual dexterity.
Download the activity sheet below for a step-by-step guide on how to construct your own crown using card strips from a template.
Once students have made their crown, the teacher will discuss the results of the activity with learners and explain how nets are used to make objects and how separate parts are used to make a larger structure.
This activity will take approximately 50 – 80 minutes.
Tools/resources required
Glue sticks
Coloured card
Coloured crepe paper
Scissors
Paper fasteners
Decoration materials
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will be know what a 3D shape is, they will understand how structures are made using separate parts and they will be able to make and assemble a crown structure from card strips.
The engineering context
Engineers use nets to allow them to make scale models of their design ideas. Nets are also used to make almost all the card-based packaging we use.
Download the free How to make a crown 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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Make a DIY clay teacup
Easy DIY clay teacup project for a celebration
This fun STEM activity is a perfect way to get creative with your 4- to 11-year-olds! The free activity sheet guides you through the simple steps to make a clay teacup for a celebration party or commemorative cup to keep or give away as a gift.
This activity is mapped to the UK curricula for design and technology and can be done at home or at school as a cheap DIY activity with air-dry clay. Let them develop hands-on skills using a coil pot method and discuss materials as you follow along with the activity steps to discover their inner engineer.
This exercise could be used as a main lesson activity to teach learners about manipulating materials to make products.
Download the activity sheet to develop your hands-on practical skills and follow our step-by-step guide on how to make a commemorative cup, using the coil pot method.
As an optional extension learners could add decoration to the inside of their cups.
This activity will take approximately 60 – 90 minutes to complete.
Tools/resources required
Air-dry clay
Yogurt pots or potatoes
Felt tip pens
Acrylic paint
Small container for water/clay mix
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will understand how structures are made using clay and they will be able to make, assemble and decorate a teacup for a celebration.
The engineering context
Engineers use clay to make 3D models of structures and even products like cars. Automotive engineers will make clay models of new cars to test how streamlined they are in wind tunnels.
Download the free Make a DIY clay teacup 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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Make bunting for a party
Making flag bunting as a class to use during celebrations and parties
This is one of a series of free and printable resources designed to allow learners to use the theme of ‘celebration’ to develop their knowledge and skills in Design and Technology. This resource focuses on the designing and making of bunting to be put out at a party to celebrate an event.
Follow this easy and free bunting activity as you make potato prints with 4-11 year olds! Create flags with your class or at home and celebrate events in style.
This activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach about designing within a theme, printing with templates and/or teamworking skills. It could also be used as part of a wider scheme of learning, focusing on practical skills within graphics and graphic design.
Download the activity sheet for a step-by-step guide on how to make bunting for a party!
As an extension learners could try using different shapes other than a triangle.
This is a fun and simple activity that will take approximately 60 – 90 minutes.
Tools/resources required
Potatoes
Knives
Paint
Paper
Colouring pencils or pens
Scissors
Pencils and rulers
String
Stapler
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will be able to design a flag for bunting for a celebration. They will also be able to use potato printing techniques and they will be able to work as a team to assemble bunting from flags made by the whole class.
The engineering context
All designers and engineers need to be able to produce ideas related to certain themes and follow a design brief. This ensures that the products they design will meet the needs of the end users, customers or clients.
Download the free Make bunting for a party 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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Careering towards the future
Explore the engineering careers that are available today, the potential rewards of these careers, how engineering has shaped our society and how engineering could transform the world we live in in the future.
Depending upon the option selected, you can also investigate the influence of famous engineers/technologists of the past and people working in Engineering today.
Part of the #IETLookAtMeNow campaign exploring the different ways that toys and imagination can represent a world of possibilities and invention to children. For engineers and scientists, the possibilities and invention never end. They are proof that our toys and dreams today impact our innovations tomorrow.
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Working drawings poster
Secondary classroom poster where students can find out more about working drawings and how they are created.
Download the single poster here or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.
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User centered design poster
Secondary classroom poster highlighting the design process focusing on the needs of the user at each stage.
Download the single poster or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.
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The Bionic Body poster
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.
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Voltage poster
Secondary classroom poster where students can learn about the concept of potential difference through analogy.
Download the single poster or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.
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Systems thinking poster
Secondary classroom poster highlighting inputs, processes and outputs.
Download the single poster or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.
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Celebrating women engineers
Secondary classroom poster looking at how women are involved in the engineering industry.
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Nanotechnology poster
Secondary classroom poster exploring nanotechnology in everyday life.
Download the single poster or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.
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micro:bit poster
Secondary classroom poster giving a quick look at the individual components of the BBC micro:bit and how you can use it in your classroom.
Download the single poster or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.
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Modelling methods
Secondary classroom poster where students can find out how designers use models to understand how their ideas will look and function.
Download the single poster or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.
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Maths for engineering poster
Secondary classroom poster where your students can find out about the equations and formulae needed for engineering.
Download the single poster or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.
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Save the Earth poster
Secondary classroom poster highlighting ideas we could all implement to help save our world.
Download the single poster or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.