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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Secondary classroom poster illustrating the concepts of current and resistance, their measurements and affecting factors. Download the single poster or order a full set from the IET Education website.

Secondary classroom poster exploring the green solutions for future travel. Download or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.

Creating a pedestrian crossing system This activity tasks students with creating a scale model and working prototype for a pedestrian crossing system for a school, using the BBC micro:bit. This micro:bit traffic light project is an ideal activity for teaching students how to integrate a programmable system into a product design. It’s one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in computing and design & technology (D&T). 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. The engineering context Designing and prototyping are essential processes used by engineers for research and development in manufacturing and product design. Students will how learn how elements of electrical, software and systems engineering can come together to create one final product that can be used by society. Suggested learning outcomes This activity will teach students to integrate a programmable system into a prototype scale model. It will help students develop modelling and prototyping skills, allowing them to show creativity and the ability to avoid stereotypical responses when creating design solutions. Download our activity sheet and related teaching resources 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. Download our classroom lesson plan and presentation below. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation

What security systems’ features would deter a burglar from breaking into a home? For this introductory activity, students will analyse the needs of a home security system so that they can design a product that is tailored to meet a specific set of requirements. It is part of a unit of learning that tasks learners with researching, programming and developing a working door access and alarm system using the BBC micro:bit. This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3. It is part of our series of resources designed to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in secondary school design & technology (DT), computing and engineering lessons. Following this lesson, students can move on to design a home security system with the BBC micro:bit. Activity: Researching and designing a home security system for the BBC micro:bit In this activity, learners will look at the requirements for a good home security system from the perspective of a burglar. They’ll do this by watching a home security video featuring home safety tips from an ex-burglar so that they can understand what deters burglars from breaking into a property. They will then use this information to develop at least four design criteria for the alarm system (such as inputs, outputs, programmable features, etc). The engineering context System analysis is used by engineers in software development, product design and other forms of systems engineering such as mechanical and electrical engineering. It’s a key part of understanding users’ needs so that products can be developed and improved through technical or scientific innovations. A home security system will give students a useful context for learning about programmable components and embedded intelligence in products. 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 lesson students will be able to identify and analyse the needs of a home security system, and then be able to determine key design criteria for developing the system. Download our activity sheet (classroom lesson plan, student handout and PowerPoint presentation) resources 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 videos!), 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.

Creating a working prototype of a food temperature probe This activity tasks students with using the micro:bit to develop a prototype for a food temperature probe that will warn people when their food is too cold. It’s an ideal lesson for introducing students to programming, allowing them to develop their skills, make use of programmable components and even embed intelligence into a product’s design. This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in design and technology (DT) or computing lessons. It can be taught as a main lesson activity with Programmable systems as a starter activity, and Product integration as an extension activity. Activity: Creating a working prototype of a food temperature probe The activity starts with students being briefed on the importance of food being prepared or cooked to the correct temperature. Too cold and it could cause food poisoning, too hot and it could burn. Learners will then be asked to use this knowledge to develop a temperature monitoring system using the BBC micro:bit. The engineering context Being able to accurately monitor temperature is important within several industries including food, healthcare, electronics, energy, defence and chemical manufacturing. Engineers must therefore design systems that can not only easily monitor temperature but also automatically trigger warnings (such as alarms) or safety mechanisms (such as cooling systems) to regulate temperature. Suggested learning outcomes Learners will be able to understand a block systems diagram of the food temperature probe system. They’ll be able to successfully program the BBC micro:bit so that the system meets the design criteria, being able to choose appropriate inputs and output device for the system they’ve designed. Download our activity sheet and related teaching resources 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. Download our classroom lesson plan and presentation below. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

In this entrepreneurial role-play activity, students will research and create a pitch to sell a remote surgery system. This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in design and technology (DT). Activity: Researching and pitching the technology for a remote surgery system This activity tasks students with an exciting entrepreneurial challenge. Students must role play being a senior engineer who has been tasked with creating a compelling video pitch to sell your custom remote surgery systems to the Faratron Medical Institute. The system includes a surgeon interface, a communications link, and a patient interface. The Faratron Medical Institute wants answers to critical technical concerns: Students will review a list of several technical questions from the institute and prepare a video response that addresses at least three of these questions, demonstrating technical solutions and building confidence in remote surgery system. Students can use visuals, props, or a direct presentation style. Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan on our entrepreneurial challenge. The engineering context Engineers often need to be able to explain how their innovations work in order to gain backing for their projects, or even to secure funding to build their designs. Entrepreneurial skills can also inspire engineers to invent new things and set up their own start-up companies – which can often lead to exciting breakthroughs in the world of technology. Suggested learning outcomes Students will learn how to use research to approach problem solving. They’ll develop their communication skills while learning about how different engineering fields converge to solve complex medical problems. Download our activity sheet and related teaching resources 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 video clips), and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

In this activity students will design a prototype for a casing and housing a food temperature probe. The activity can be used as a follow-on activity from our Micro:bit food temperature probe design project. It’s part of a series of resources which support the use of the BBC micro:bit in design and technology (DT) or computing lessons. Activity: Designing the casing for a food temperature probe This activity tasks students with turning a BBC micro:bit food temperature probe into a finished product. Students will need to consider aesthetics and ergonomics, how it can securely enclose and fit the food temperature probe, and also which materials should be used that are fit for purposes. Students will sketch their casing ideas, adding notes explaining their design choices. Students can also create a prototype of their design using modelling materials (e.g., card). Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan on product integration. The engineering context Integrating programmable systems within products is an important part of the design process when working with electronic products and systems. Not only does the system have to function correctly, the finished product also has to be commercially viable in the sense that it must be cost-efficient to manufacture, and attractive enough for potential customers to want to buy. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this lesson, students will be able to develop a design for a fully integrated electronic product. They’ll also be able to annotate their ideas using technical language. Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources 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. Download our classroom lesson plan and presentation below. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation

Design a future programmable system to meet user needs As technology progresses, programmable systems are being increasingly utilised at home and in industry. What will the programmable systems of the future be like and how will we use them? In this activity, students apply what they have learnt about the uses and designs of programmable systems to invent their own to meet a specific user need. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links An engaging activity in which students look to the future and consider what they have learnt so far about programmable systems to design their own that meets a user need. 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 activity sheets for free! 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

Making a model of an electric aircraft engine and calculating how long this could power an aircraft using solar energy. Under the future of flight theme, learners will make a model of an electric aircraft engine that uses solar-powered rechargeable batteries and a motor. They will then test their circuit to see if it works and calculate how long it can run for before it needs to be recharged. This activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach about assembling models of circuits and the use of renewable energy. It could also be used as part of a wider scheme of learning to support focussed practical skills or about engineering career opportunities within the aviation sector. You will need Solar AA battery charger 2 x rechargeable AA batteries AA batteries connector/holder Red and black crocodile clips Slide or toggle switch Electric solar motor Atlas (for extension activity determining potential journey destinations) 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. And please do share your learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETeducation

Use modern technologies to enhance flight. In this activity learners will make use of the theme of the future of flight to design a wearable cockpit that makes use of new and modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), which have the potential to completely change how pilots interact with and control their aircraft. Produce a specification for their design requirements and a mind map of ideas. They will then produce sketches of their initial ideas before producing a completed final design. 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. And please do share your learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETeducation

Develop a parachute-type system to slow a landing spacecraft. In this activity learners will make use of the theme of the future of flight to develop a parachute type system that will help a spacecraft to land and stop safely. They will be able to make design decisions contributing to the performance of their solution. They will then test their prototype to see how well it works. 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. And please do share your learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETeducation

How to make hydrogen from water. In this activity learners will make use of the theme of the future of flight to investigate one of the potential energy sources of the future. They will discuss the problems associated with the use of oil-based fuels and how the use of hydrogen fuels could solve them. They will then produce hydrogen from water and investigate ways to make it work better. This activity could be used as a main lesson to teach about power supplies and renewable energy within a transport context. It could also be used as part of a wider scheme of learning to teach about sustainability and environmental issues. 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. And please do share your learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETeducation