![Hero image](https://www.tes.com/cdn/app-resource-store/5d51d34/img/hero.jpg)
520Uploads
200k+Views
107k+Downloads
Mathematics
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Binary numbers
Use mathematics to explain how devices can be on or off
Through investigating binary numbers and their role in representing electrical devices as on or off, students will see mathematics in action.
Students will get to explore the technology behind the Nintendo Wii and apply this knowledge to design an interactive ‘tag’ game. The activity not only enhances their understanding of communication methods and technologies but also hones their critical thinking and independent investigation skills. This hands-on approach makes maths both tangible and relatable, sparking their interest and demonstrating how integral maths is in everyday life.
This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3. It has been designed to support the delivery of key topics within mathematics.
As part of the ‘Time for a game’ scheme of work, this activity provides an electronics systems context for students to explore infrared technologies. Other activities include Inputs and outputs of design and Electromagnetic spectrum.
Activity: How use maths to identify households that will be most affected by fuel poverty
In this activity students will investigate the use of binary numbers.
Students will work in teams to represent different numbers through standing (for 1) or sitting (for zero). They will brainstorm applications for binary numbers and delve deeper into selected applications. Each step is designed to maximise engagement and learning, making maths a challenge rather than a chore.
Download our worksheet for a detailed lesson plan for teaching students how to use maths to explain how devices can be on or off
The engineering context
Understanding how binary numbers operate in electronic devices lays the foundation for a future career in engineering. Binary numbers play a fundamental role in the field of engineering, particularly in computer and electrical engineering. They form the basis of all digital systems, including computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will have a solid understanding of binary numbers and their applications in electronic devices. They will appreciate the role of maths in technology, improving their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. This activity also fosters teamwork and encourages independent investigation, equipping students with key skills for their academic journey and beyond.
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, 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.
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Measuring boat speed - KS3 engineering
Time the journeys of different shaped boats and present the results
This engaging engineering activity for KS3 considers displaying data from a practical investigation looking at the effect of streamlining a boats hull.
Students will be asked to consider how this information can be represented effectively and use this to form conclusions. The reliability of their results will then be discussed.
Activity Measuring boat speed
Students will use the test rig, which can be found in the resources below, to test several different shaped boats. Students should measure the time taken for each boat to travel a set distance and record the results.
Ask the students to discuss the fact that there is no measurable independent variable as it is very difficult to quantify the hull shape in terms of numbers.
The students should ponder how they are going to represent these results graphically.
If time is available, complete the investigation by repeating the tests. Discuss the sorts of errors that might occur in the collection of results.
Learners will then plot their results into a bar graph. This could be used as part of an advertising campaign to sell the boat which could include design, bar chart, a brief conclusion and an explanation as to why the results are reliable.
There is also an opportunity to use data logging equipment as well as light gates to further reduce errors in this engineering activity.
As an extension, students could calculate speed (s=d/t), and the mean speed for each boat, taking into account the anomalous results.
Students could consider what they could measure to draw a line graph and find the optimal hull design. If time is available, students could manufacture and test their own designs and include them within the analysis.
This activity will take approximately 45 minutes.
Tools/resources required
The construction is a fairly simple activity and can be undertaken by your KS3 students (as an after school activity or by a technician)
Boat objects
Stop Watch
Graph Paper
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will be able to explain when to use a bar chart and when they should be used to display categoric variables, they will be able to evaluate an experiment in terms of its reliability and precision and they will be able to apply scientific and mathematical understanding to an engineering context.
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Filtering water
Design and build your own water filtration system
Water is crucial to human life, but it can also be a killer.
Drinking or cooking water contaminated with micro-organisms or chemicals is a leading cause of disease and death across the world. Poor facilities for the disposal of sewage and other waste water can quickly lead to the spread of dangerous diseases.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
This activity gets students to investigate different possible ways of filtering dirty water to improve its cleanliness by designing and building their own water filtration systems. The lesson can be extended with a practical session in which students work in small teams to investigate the salinity of different water samples – see the related extension activity ‘Water Treatment Systems’ within the related activities section below.
The engineering context
Drinking or cooking water contaminated with micro-organisms or chemicals is a leading cause of disease and death across the world. Poor facilities for the disposal of sewage and other waste water can quickly lead to the spread of dangerous diseases.
Engineers and scientists work to provide us with safe, clean drinking water, with efficient and clean methods for disposing of our waste water and practical drainage solutions.
Suggested learning outcomes
Students will be able to recall the different types of impurities that can contaminate water. As well as this, they’ll know how to describe how water filtration equipment acts in several different ways to produce potable (drinkable) water.
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Market research on colour and mood
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.
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Pulleys - forces in motion
Calculate tension force using pulleys
In this practical activity two objects are connected via a string that passes over a pulley; then they are released from rest. Participants are tasked to use their knowledge of mechanics to predict the time taken for the heavier object to fall to the ground and the greatest height reached by the lighter object? Once each participant has made their calculations, complete the experiments, and compare to the predictions.
This practical is designed to be easily set up and carried out in a maths classroom using simple equipment. It will help students to understand the mechanics topic of kinematics and constant acceleration equations in AS and A level Mathematics.
The video features the equipment needed and the practical procedure. The teacher notes contain additional guidance on carrying out the activity, sample calculations and suggested points for discussion, as well as an indication of some relevant real-life applications.
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. Links to stream and download the videos can be found resources section below.
Tools/resources required:
Board
2 cup hooks
2 washing line pulleys
Long piece of string with 3 loops in it
3 different masses, e.g. different coloured plasticine
Pencil
Ruler
Tape measure/plumb line
Protractor
Kitchen scales
Sticky tape
And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
To watch a video about pulleys, please visit the IET Education website.
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Queueing theory
Queuing theory is a mathematical discipline that helps us understand the behaviour of queues and make predictions about their performance. It considers various factors such as arrival rates, service times, and queue lengths to analyse and optimise queuing systems.
By applying queuing theory principles, students will learn how to evaluate different queues and determine which will likely offer a shorter waiting time.
Through this activity, you will develop your analytical and problem-solving skills and gain a deeper understanding of queuing theory concepts. You will also learn how to apply these principles in real-life situations, making you a proficient queue navigator in the future!
Activity
In this activity, students will be presented with two different systems of queues. They should think about the benefits and problems with each system. Encourage the students to think about how they can compare the two systems. What figures could they calculate? What diagrams would help to provide a picture of the advantages and disadvantages of each system?
Give the students time to find/calculate their figures and then ask them to present their case.
This task provides an opportunity to discuss the most appropriate average. The mean time for the first system is affected by longer wait times for a few customers. Would the mode time be a better average, as this is the most frequent experience, or is the median better?
The engineering context
Queuing theory is an area of maths which has many applications.
When you log onto the internet, you join a queue for a server.
Computer engineers and systems designers study queues to help them make systems work more efficiently.
Civil engineers use it for traffic lights, and retailers use queuing theory to reduce wait time.
Potential GCSE content
In this activity, students will learn how to determine the mean and calculate the median from a frequency table, compare two data sets using an average and measure of spread and find the quartiles and the interquartile range (IQR). This exercise will also cover statistical diagrams, reasoning, problem-solving, estimation, and modelling.
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Estimate the radius of a circle of light
Use proportional reasoning to estimate the radius of a circle of light produced by shining a torch at various distances from the wall
This is an engaging activity for GCSE students in which learners will estimate the radius of a circle of light produced by shining a torch at various distances from the wall.
In order to estimate the radius, students will need to use proportional reasoning or Pythagoras theorem. Students are encouraged to use GeoGebra to gather data.
Problem Solving
To solve the problem presented on the first slide, students will have to employ proportional reasoning. This can be utilised to reinforce concepts of enlargement, and potentially Pythagoras if the follow-up question is used.
For the second problem, students will need to collect data, consider how to manipulate the control variable (distance) and organise the data to aid in identifying any connections between distance and area. Some students may choose to create a graph and extrapolate to determine the distance, while others may seek out a function.
The related GeoGebra file for this activity can be viewed at the GeoGebra website.
What is GeoGebra?
GeoGebra is a free and open-source dynamic mathematics software that allows users to create and manipulate mathematical figures and interact with them in real-time. It can be used to plot graphs, create 3D models, solve equations, and perform complex mathematical operations. It is widely used in education, particularly in the teaching and learning of STEM subjects.
GeoGebra is available for use on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
Potential GCSE content covered
By the end of this activity students will have an understanding of Pythagoras’ Theorem, the area of a circle, and enlargement.
Download the free Estimate the Radius of a Circle of Light activity sheet below!
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)
How do animals use sound
How sounds travel as waves of different frequencies and wavelengths
From founding communications, such as the fire beacon, to being able to communicate with space, there is no denying that developments in communication have advanced at a rapid speed. This topic presents students with communications of the past, present and future, helping them to understand the principles that form the basis for these developments.
This engaging STEM activity is aimed at KS3 students and deals with how animals use sounds and how sounds change in natural phenomena. This is so a student can understand how sound waves travel.
The teacher will first distribute a copy of the ‘Animal Sounds’ handout, which can be downloaded below, to each student.
Make sure students understand sound is a longitudinal wave of compressions and rarefactions of the material. Soundwaves follow the laws of wave behaviour, so they are a useful introduction to wave properties.
This activity can be simplified (particularly for less able students) by creating a discussion on why different animals have different hearing ranges and their experience of phenomena such as the Doppler effect.
Use the handout to discuss different sounds and what they might have learned in other lessons (e.g. music) about pitch, frequency, amplitude etc.
As an extension students could produce a display from low to high frequency, showing where the sound ranges used by different animals lie. Students could consider how sounds outside the normal spectrum could be used to develop new products. For example, to make ‘silent’ devices to broadcast sound or data between two points.
This is a quick and simple activity that will take approximately 15 minutes.
The engineering context
Sounds are vibrations travelling through materials. Many animals make sounds, either for communication or for location. Sound travels at different speeds in different materials. Generally, the denser the material, the faster the sound will travel.
Sound is a longitudinal wave of compressions and rarefactions of the material (a rarefaction involves particles in the material being more spread out than usual). Sound waves follow the laws of wave behaviour, so they are a useful introduction to wave properties.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this free resource students will know that sound is produced by objects vibrating and they will understand that sound is a longitudinal wave. They will also know about the range of frequencies that can be heard by humans and other animals and they will understand that sound travels at different speeds in different mediums.
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 share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Balancing forces to design a boat
Balancing forces to design a boat
Using knowledge of forces in an engineering design context
The balancing forces to build a boat activity tasks participants to apply scientific and mathematical understanding of forces (resistance, buoyancy and thrust) and Newton’s 3 laws of motion, in an engineering and design context.
Relate speed to the streamlining in boat design and the shape of a boat’s hull. Consider the balanced and unbalanced forces the boat needs to withstand for maximum efficiency. This activity will demonstrate the principles of hydrodynamics, a similar set of principles to aerodynamics but involving water.
This activity is designed to be taught through science and design and technology simultaneously, as a cross-curricular project. However, it can also be tackled independently from each subject.
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
Projector/whiteboard
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Create a tessellation pattern
In this engaging maths activity, students will embark on a journey of discovery and creativity as they explore the mesmerising art of tessellation.
This activity is designed for KS3 students and involves formulating a rule that can be used to create tessellation patterns. It will help students develop an understanding of the tessellation that will be required to design interlocking units.
This lesson plan could be taught in maths or as part of graphics within design and technology.
This activity promises an exciting blend of hands-on exploration, critical thinking, and geometry, fostering a deeper appreciation for the captivating world of tessellations.
What is tessellation?
Tessellation is a geometric concept in mathematics and art that involves covering a surface with repeated, non-overlapping shapes. These shapes, called tiles or polygons, fit together seamlessly, creating a pattern extending infinitely across a surface. Tessellations can be found in various forms in nature, art, and architecture.
The most famous example of a tessellating shape is the regular hexagon, which can fit together perfectly to cover a plane without leaving any gaps or overlaps. Other common tessellating shapes include squares, triangles, and other regular polygons.
The engineering context
The ‘Engineering Process’ scheme of work gives students an in-depth understanding of some engineering materials and how they are being developed in industry. This scheme was inspired by the casting process used to make the D3O smart material into a ‘usable’ form; this links to industrial practices such as quality control, standardisation, and casting manufacture. It is designed to challenge the students by requiring them to apply their knowledge and understanding of engineering materials through a ‘batch’ production experience.
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Water supply
Organise water filtration components to create a safe water supply system
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
This activity challenges students to work in small teams to design a water supply system for a small town of 5,000 inhabitants. They have to work within a budget, including giving themselves a profit margin. The activity offers strong opportunities for cross-curricular work with Enterprise.
The ‘Catalogue of Components’ handout includes a list of possible parts from which students can include in their design of their filtration system.
Water is crucial to human life, but it can also be a killer.
Drinking or cooking water contaminated with micro-organisms or chemicals is a leading cause of disease and death across the world. Poor facilities for the disposal of sewage and other waste water can quickly lead to the spread of dangerous diseases.
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Daylight hours maths activity
In this fun maths activity, students will look at the way the length of the day changes over the year.
They will use a data sheet to plot a graph, then interpret the data to work out the date of the longest and shortest days of the year in the United Kingdom.
A free activity sheet can be downloaded.
And please do share your poetry highlights with us @IETeducation! #SantaLovesSTEM
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Test out Galileo’s gravity experiment
Investigating velocity and acceleration down a slope
In this fun STEM activity for kids, learners will discover how to write numbers in hieroglyphics.
This free resource is aimed at primary school children and could be used as a main lesson activity, to teach learners about the works of the ancient Egyptians contributing to learning in design and technology, history, and mathematics or as an alternative method of reinforcing learning in basic numeracy.
Additionally, this could be used to start a discussion on ancient Egypt or to introduce the concept of people using different languages. It could also be used in conjunction with other activities in this theme, ‘Making Papyrus’ and ‘Write like an Egyptian’.
This is one of a set of resources designed to allow learners to use practical methods to support the delivery of key topics within design and technology, history, and mathematics. This resource is based on the use of Hieroglyphics for mathematical activities by the Ancient Egyptians.
Using hieroglyphic symbols, learners will write down three numbers with values between 1,000 and 10,000,000. They will then swap their numbers with a peer. Can they tell each other the correct values of the numbers?
A free presentation for teachers is provided. The presentation includes a slide showing how the ancient Egyptians represented fractions using hieroglyphics, which could be used for extension work. Additionally, learners could write and solve maths problems using hieroglyphics.
This practical and engaging activity will test students’ maths abilities as it challenges children to think about the value of numbers, rather than just processing stated values.
Tools/resources required
A length of channel or guttering
A tape measure
A protractor
A stopwatch
The results table
A pen or pencil
An egg (plastic or boiled or solid)
Weighing scales (for extension activity 2 only)
The engineering context
An understanding of numbers is vital for engineers to solve lots of interesting problems. For example, factories need to know the quantity of materials in order to make their products and farmers need to know how much food to produce.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this exercise students will know what Hieroglyphics are, they will be able to use Hieroglyphics to represent numbers of values up to 10,000,000 and they will be able to carry out basic numeracy functions.
Download the free Galileo’s gravity experiment activity sheets, including teacher notes, presentation and curriculum links along with a bonus wordsearch using words from the activity to enhance learning.
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Create Chinese calligraphy
Learning how to write using traditional Chinese handwriting.
In this activity learners will use the theme of the Chinese and Lunar New Year to learn about and make use of Chinese calligraphy. They will learn about different types of ‘script’, what is meant by a Xuan, and how to write numbers using Chinese Regular script.
There are five major script types used today in China: seal script, clerical script, cursive script, running script and standard script. Regular script means the proper script type of Chinese writing and is used by all Chinese for government documents and printed books.
Download the activity sheets for free!
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
Pencils
Paintbrush
Paint
Pot of water to clean brush
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Chinese zodiac code breaker
Code breaking using maths calculations.
In this activity learners will carry out math’s calculations to break codes based on the zodiac animals of the Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year, is an annual 15-day festival observed in China and Chinese communities around the world. It corresponds to the new moon that occurs between January 21 and February 20. Each year is based on one of twelve animal zodiac signs.
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
Writing instruments (pens, pencils, erasers)
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.
And please do share your learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETeducation
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Solar powered engine
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
How high will it go?
Find the height achieved by a flying object using trigonometry.
In this activity learners will work out the height of a released balloon using a clinometer and trigonometry. This is one of a series of resources designed to allow learners to use the theme of the future of flight to develop their knowledge and skills in in Design and Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
This activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach learners about the practical application of trigonometry. It could also be used as part of an introduction to the use of trigonometry within engineering.
You will need:
Thin card
Balloons
Balloon pump, if required
Brass split pin paper fasteners
Scissors
Sharp pencils and erasers
Calculators
Tape measure
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Stop it: Design a system to slow a spaceship descent
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Measuring noise
Measuring the amount of noise produced by different activities.
In this activity learners will measure noise produced by a range of activities using a sound meter to help them understand how noise is measured and that high noise levels can damage our hearing.
This activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach learners about sound, as part of a scheme of learning covering sound waves and how sound is generated or as part of a wider topic area covering health and safety considerations in the workshop.
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Flying high
Calculating the amount of energy needed to launch a rocket into space.
In this activity learners will make use of the theme of the future of flight to calculate the amount of energy needed to launch a space rocket. They will discuss the meaning of the term escape velocity and then perform calculations based on the Space X and Saturn V rockets.
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