In this fun maths activity for KS2, students will measure the weight of different paper-based packaging materials and calculate the potential number of items that could be produced from an average tree. This task will teach learners how to use division to solve real-world problems. It can also function as part of a wider scheme of learning centred around utilising mathematics to comprehend ratios and proportions or as an introduction to sustainability concepts. By considering the number of natural resources needed to make common everyday items, we can also become informed consumers with more awareness of the environmental impact of our consumption. What you will need How much paper comes from a tree worksheet Selection of paper products Scales Pencils Erasers Calculators The engineering context Engineers must possess knowledge of the number of items they can produce from a single source. For instance, in clothes manufacturing, production engineers should be aware of the number of shirts or dresses that can be made from a single roll of fabric. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to know how to use division to solve practical problems, they will be able to convert grams to kilograms, and they will be able to calculate how many paper-based items can be made from one tree. Download 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. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Scaling activity to change the size of items In this activity learners will change the scale of items, by doubling or halving the size and drawing them to a new scale. Learners will be shown that multiplication and division are useful methods to change the scale of an item. 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 use of multiplication and division in the context of scaling an item to either double or half its size. This activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach learners how to work out scale or to reinforce understanding of multiplication and division. It could be used as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on the use of maths to understand ratio and proportion. It could also support the development of drawing skills in art. The engineering context Structural engineers collaborate with architects to design various structures, such as houses, hospitals, office blocks, bridges, oil rigs, ships, and aircraft. They create scaled-down drawings for each of these structures. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will know how multiplication and division can be used to work out scale, they will be able to scale drawings back to their original size by either scaling up or scaling down, and they will be able to solve simple problems in scaling contexts, i.e. two times larger and two times smaller. Download the activity 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

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

Using directions to guide pupils through a table maze. Clear instructions and correct vocabulary are important to ensure that the learners know how to complete the maze. This activity could be used as a starter or main activity to introduce geometry, position and direction. The engineering context When engineers program robots, they must be very clear in their instructions to avoid confusion. For example, the Mars Rover must follow very detailed instructions to help it move safely on the planet and send back pictures. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to follow a set of verbal instructions to navigate a maze successfully, they will be able to understand the importance of clear instructions when instructing others, and they will be able to use mathematical vocabulary to describe position, direction and movement. Download the free activity sheet! 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

A dress-the-model activity to work out how many combinations of clothes are possible 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 focusses on a dress-the-model activity to determine the number of wearing combinations possible with a set number of clothing items. It allows pupils to take a practical approach to applying multiplication. This activity could be carried out as individuals or in pairs. Learners can create a table showcasing the various combinations to organise their findings effectively. They may be guided through this process using the Dress-the-Model table slide as an example. This approach encourages students to analyse and present their results in a structured manner, enhancing their understanding of the activity’s outcomes. The engineering context Understanding combinations is essential in engineering, enabling engineers to optimise the production process and achieve the best cost outcomes. Regarding bicycles, which consist of numerous parts, engineers carefully determine the optimal combination of these parts to minimise production expenses while maintaining high-quality standards. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to write and calculate statements for multiplication, they will be able to solve a contextual problem using multiplication, and they will be able to understand how to determine the number of wearing combinations possible using a dress-the-model activity. 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. Please do share your 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

Using the effects of air pressure to defy gravity Gravity is defied in this super simple gravity-free water experiment. Children use the effects of air pressure to make it look as though there is zero gravity in an upside-down glass of water. Get your children to fill a glass with water, place a piece of card over it and turn it upside down. Discuss how gravity works, why gravity is important, and how the water stays in the glass. Gravity discovery is exciting and using a hands-on experiment with minimal equipment will make a gravity discovery lesson the highlight of their day. Tools/resources required Drinking glass Access to a sink and/or water Small pieces of thick card (preferably coated/shiny) to cover the glass This activity could be used as a starter or main activity to introduce the effects of gravity and air pressure, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on different types of forces. Use the content for gravity discovery and to think about why gravity is important, how gravity works and most importantly spark a life-long science interest with your class and children. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

This fun science activity for kids will teach students how deciduous trees change across the seasons. Students will then have the opportunity to track and record how an individual tree changes over the period of a year. In this activity learners will be shown how a deciduous tree changes across the seasons, then either as a class or individually recording how an individual tree changes over the school year. This activity is inspired by Greek mythology. A dryad is a mythical Greek creature, often associated with forests. They are said to be female nymphs who inhabit trees or woods and protect them from harm. Dryads have been featured in many stories throughout history, and they often symbolize the beauty and power of nature. This activity could be introduced as part of a main lesson activity at the start of the new year. It could then be followed up on a weekly (or periodic) basis over the year, with learners building up a record of how the identified tree within the school grounds changes over time. This could be used either to create a diary, a logbook, or it could form the basis for a classroom display. This is a long-term activity which can run for the duration of the school year. Following an initial introduction, individual learners or table groupings could be responsible for completing the diary on a weekly basis. If carried out by individuals, different learners could be allocated the responsibility each week, progressing through the class register. An appropriate tree within the school grounds needs to be identified. Ideally a tree visible from the classroom would be used. As applicable by local requirements, risk assessments may need to be carried out if the learners need to go outside the school building to carry out this activity. For continuity it is advantageous to have a set position from which the picture or observations are made. Tools/resources required Projector Copies of the How do deciduous trees change handout Digital cameras (if required) with access to suitable printing facilities The engineering context Environmental engineers are tasked with improving the quality of the natural environment around them. The more they understand about this, the better they can do their jobs. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to describe how a deciduous tree changes with the seasons. 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 drums and earmuffs from different materials, to test the amount of noise they make and dampen In this engaging STEM activity learners will develop their knowledge and understanding of sound. They will learn how to make a homemade drum using different materials and test how each material affects the sound. They will learn how to make a homemade set of earmuffs using different materials and test how well each material dampens the sound. Musical instruments bring joy and entertainment to millions of people in the world every day, but do you know how they work? Let’s find out! 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 making a DIY drum and set of earmuffs, using different materials to investigate their effects on sounds. This activity could be carried out as individuals or in small groups, used as a main lesson activity to develop knowledge and understanding of how sound works, or as part of a wider scheme of learning focusing on sound and musical instruments. An optional extension could be for students to decorate the drum and earmuffs to personalise them and add visual appeal. This exercise will take approximately 70 – 90 minutes. Tools/resources required Container, bowl or bucket for the drum body Different materials for the drum skin, such as plastic bags, tissue paper, normal paper and assorted fabrics Drumsticks (pieces of wood or pencils could be used instead) Strips of card Scissors Different materials for the earmuffs, such as cotton wool, cardboard, foam or polystyrene PVA glue, glue sticks and/or sticky tape The engineering context Sound engineers try to ensure that music is recorded in a way that produces good results for the listener. It is extremely important that they understand how sound is both created and dampened, and which materials work well for this. An understanding of how sound is both created and dampened is vital to the development of products for the music industry. For example, musical instruments, earphones, speakers, and portable music players. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this fun STEM project students will be able to make a drum and test the amount of noise made and a set of earmuffs that test how well they dampen sound. Finally, they will be able to investigate the effects of different materials on sound. 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.

See how words change when reflected in a mirror We use mirrors everyday to see what we look like. Car drivers use them to see cars behind them, to help them drive and park safely. However, is the image we see the same as if we were to look from the direction of the mirror? Through this fun STEM activity, students will gain an understanding of how light reflects off mirrors. By utilising reverse writing, students will observe how words transform when reflected in a mirror. This exercise provides an opportunity for students to practice reverse writing and make notes. This resource is part of a series of free STEM resources developed to aid in teaching the primary national curriculum, specifically targeting key topics in maths and science. The focus of this activity is on the reflection of light off mirrors and other reflective surfaces, and the use of reverse writing to observe the phenomenon. This activity can be used as a starter or main activity to introduce light and build on experiences to explain how light travels. It can be carried out individually or in small groups. This activity demonstrates how light travels in straight lines. Students will first write their name and see it reflected in different directions, which will create learner discussion. Students will then place the mirror on the right-hand side of the paper, which will allow the writing to be read correctly. The teacher may wish to demonstrate the first steps, then allow the learners to reverse write with the mirror placed on the right-hand side. This will allow students to see their writing develop the correct way around. Note that when writing in reverse, learners must reverse the letters, not just put them in reverse order. When the learners are more confident reverse writing, they can be tasked with writing messages to their friends. Tools/resources required Small mirrors Paper The engineering context Engineers need to have a good understanding of how light travels and is reflected off surfaces. This is vital when engineers design rear-view mirrors for cars, periscopes for submarines and giant telescopes to look at the stars. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to understand what happens when light is reflected off a mirror and they will be able to reverse write and read it in a mirror. 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

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

Understanding fractions through a pizza cutter approach Fractions are an important concept in mathematics, and what better way to understand them than by slicing up a delicious pizza? Through hands-on exploration, you will discover that fractions are not just numbers on a page but a real-life concept we encounter daily. By dividing our pizza into slices, we will learn how to represent fractions visually and understand their relationship to the whole pizza. Activity This activity is one of a set of free STEM resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum and the delivery of key topics within maths and science. This fun maths game could be used as a starter or main activity to introduce fractions and can be developed further with other objects and a combination of halves and quarters. Students could complete this activity either as individual learners or as table groupings. It introduces learners to fractions, i.e. a half and a quarter. The presentation slides highlight the national curriculum requirements, with the learners being able to understand what a half and quarter are by dividing a recognised shape. Download our free, printable pizza fractions handout to begin. Actual pizzas could be used as an alternative to the handouts. Appropriate food hygiene and handling precautions would need to be applied. The engineering context Understanding fractions helps engineers solve many problems in a wide range of specialisms. For example, how to divide materials so people can carry equal loads. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to understand that a half and quarter are ‘fractions of’ a whole object, they will recognise, find and name a half as one of two equal parts of a unit, and they will recognise, find and name a quarter as one of four equal parts of a unit. They will understand that fractions, halves and quarters can be combined as part of a whole unit. Download the free activity sheet! 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

Learn how to describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials In this activity, participants evaluate several everyday products, identifying the properties they need and the materials that would be suitable to make form. What are the properties that products need to be able to fulfil their required function: hard, soft, strong, weak, flexible, bendy, recyclable? What are the reasons why specific types of materials are used to make products? Understanding this will sow the seeds for learners to become informed consumers. As a class, consider a range of materials and discuss what properties are typically important. For example: Which bag is best for carrying heavy shopping: plastic or fabric? Which bowl would be best for a baby: glass or plastic? Which chair would be best for the outdoors: cardboard or plastic? 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 resource focuses on the evaluation of everyday products and what materials they are made from. Download the free activity sheets! 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. Tools/resources required Several actual products that the learners can hold and discuss 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 classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Designing a questionnaire that informs product design Engineers play a key role in our everyday lives, often in ways we may not realise. Take the Watt Nightclub in Rotterdam as an example - engineers have designed a system that turns the energy created by dancing into power for the lighting. Even the colour of the lights was a consideration. In this activity, students will explore the relationship between colour and mood, and how it might impact the amount of electricity generated on a dance floor. This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the class teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3. It has been designed to support the delivery of key topics within maths, science and design and technology (DT). Activity: The activity begins with a class discussion on whether colour can scientifically affect mood. Students will then learn about the role of questionnaires in research, including what makes a good questionnaire and what factors need to be considered when designing one. The class will watch the Dance Power film, which directly relates to this technology, and then split into groups to create their own questionnaires. These will be tested, evaluated, and refined before being conducted as homework. Students will process and present their findings, considering the reliability and accuracy of their evidence. They’ll discuss their results and the effectiveness of questionnaires as a research tool. The engineering context Market research is essential for engineers working in product design, providing valuable insights into consumer needs and preferences, enabling them to create innovative products that meet market demand and improve user satisfaction. Furthermore, by exploring how engineers can use colour to influence mood and hence energy production, students will gain an insight into the creativity and problem-solving involved in engineering. Suggested learning outcomes Through this activity, students will gain an understanding of the scientific method, specifically the design and implementation of a market research questionnaire. The class will develop the ability to generate scientific evidence to prove a hypothesis, in this case, the relationship between colour and mood. They will also consider what constitutes sufficient evidence for scientists to confirm a hypothesis. Download our activity 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 (including the video), and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your class’s and your schools’ needs. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Use data on energy consumption to investigate how average values are calculated This scheme of work is designed to enable students to explore the relevant issues of energy cost and efficiency. Learners will use functional mathematics to understand that published facts and figures may not always be accurate, and that mathematical insights are necessary to scrutinise data. In this engaging activity for KS3, students will analyse data related to electricity consumption, with a focus on how average values are determined. Students will also evaluate the accuracy of published data sources and consider potential biases. This resource would work well as a main lesson in maths. This activity uses data for England. Students in Wales, Scotland, or Ireland may wish to research data for their areas. To begin the activity, prompt students to create a list of the various types of housing that individuals reside in. Which type of house is likely to require the most energy? Provide students with the Resource Sheet handout, which displays typical yearly electricity bills for different housing types. Students should collaborate in groups of 2-4 to review and analyse the data, and answer the questions included on the resource sheet. Students should be encouraged to reflect on the meaning of this data rather than just accepting it at face value – can they find raw figures and do the calculations to support the information shown? The engineering context Energy efficiency refers to the use of less energy to perform a specific task or achieve a particular outcome. In other words, it is the ability to accomplish the same level of output using less energy input. Energy efficiency can be achieved through the use of more efficient technologies, equipment, or processes, as well as through changes in behaviour and practices. It is an important concept in the context of sustainable development, as it helps to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources, and lower energy costs. Examples of energy-efficient practices include using energy-saving light bulbs, improving building insulation, and upgrading to energy-efficient appliances. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will understand that mathematics is used as a tool in a wide range of contexts, and they will be able to use mathematics to interpret the impact of energy costs on society. 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

Use mathematics to investigate the topical issue of the cost and efficient use of energy This engaging activity for KS3 seeks to teach students how to use mathematics to investigate the topical issue of the cost and efficient use of energy. This is a thought-provoking exercise that will teach students to think about sustainability and develop their understanding of mathematical modelling. In this activity students will investigate the topical issue of the cost and efficient use of energy. Using functional mathematics, they will recognise that published facts and figures are not necessarily accurate and that mathematical insight should be used to probe data. As an optional extension activity, students could quantify how energy is used for heating within a dwelling. The quantification could be in terms of units of energy and/or cost. They could then find comparable data for one or more dwellings of different design, for example of different sizes, of radically different design (e.g. flats vs. detached houses), or dwellings designed to be eco-friendly. They should analyse the differences in energy performance identified. This is a quick and simple activity that will take approximately 15 – 30 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Projector/Whiteboard The engineering context Energy efficiency refers to the use of less energy to perform a specific task or achieve a particular outcome. In other words, it is the ability to accomplish the same level of output using less energy input. Energy efficiency can be achieved through the use of more efficient technologies, equipment, or processes, as well as through changes in behaviour and practices. It is an important concept in the context of sustainable development, as it helps to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources, and lower energy costs. Examples of energy-efficient practices include using energy-saving light bulbs, improving building insulation, and upgrading to energy-efficient appliances. 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

Identify the advantages and disadvantages of remote or robotic surgery Telemedicine is a new and fast developing field in healthcare. Even 20 years ago the idea of a surgeon being able to operate a robot from hundreds of miles away in order to perform an operation seemed like science fiction. Today, this is not only possible but engineers, working with scientists and doctors, are now designing robotic systems which will be able to operate on patients with no human intervention at all. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity, learners will explore the impact of modern technology on science, using telemedicine and robotics as a context. 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

Investigate some potential modifications to your solar powered night-light circuit The ‘Let there be light’ scheme of work involves investigating how photovoltaic cells are used and then using this technology to make a series of electronic circuits of increasing complexity. This could form the basis of a Design and Make Assignment (DMA) project in Design and Technology (D&T), with cross-curricular links with Science. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links An engaging activity in which students will investigate some potential modifications to the circuits they have designed and made in the ‘Let there be light 2’ activity. 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 below! All activity sheets and supporting resources (including film clips!) 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

Draw and annotate casing that meets a design brief and design criteria This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons. Flooding is becoming increasingly common in parts of the United Kingdom and causes a lot of damage to peoples’ homes. The sooner a potential flood can be detected, the more time homeowners have to prepare and to save their property. In this unit of learning, learners will identify the design problems presented by flooding. They will then develop a working flood warning system using the BBC micro:bit. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity, learners will design a suitable casing for their BBC micro:bit flood warning system. 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