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.

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

Learn how to graphically represent a range of fitness levels This engineering activity provides students with the opportunity to collect and present data and think about different presentation techniques. The data collected will be used as evidence to debate whether people should be encouraged to engage in computer-based sports activities. Do computer “anytime fitness” games really have the same benefits as more traditional fitness activities? Through this activity, students will be able to use their data to start answering this question. This free resource is aimed at secondary school students. It was designed as a mathematics activity and should be preceded by the ‘Wii Fitness?’ activity. Activity introduction In this engaging STEM task students will use the data gathered during an investigation to contextualise frequency curves. The ‘Can using a Games Console Make You Fitter?’ worksheet used in the corresponding ‘Wii Fitness?’ activity generates cumulative data on pulse rates and levels of fitness. Actual collection of data could easily be carried out a Mathematics teacher – no specialist equipment is required. These can be prepared in advance based on datasets prepared by the teacher or teachers could use data from different classes, year groups or gender groups to allow a comparison. Working in groups of 4-6, students should be given this data. Each team should decide how to group this data and then draw a cumulative frequency graph. From this, they should identify the median and quartiles and use this information to draw a box plot. This activity will take approximately 30 minutes. What you will need Projector Whiteboard The engineering context The ‘Who’s the winner’ scheme of work provides students with an opportunity to collect data which they can use as evidence to debate whether people should be encouraged to engage in computer-based sport activities. The investigation highlights how difficult it is to control all variables and therefore carry out a fair test. The students’ evaluation of the investigation will allow them the chance to question the validity of the data, question the size of the Data set used and question the time span data needs to be collected over before it can be used to confirm a claim. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity learners will be able to plot cumulative frequency diagrams. 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. 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

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

In this activity students will make a simple infrared circuit to develop their understanding of this technology. Our “Time for a Game” worksheet introduces students to infrared technologies, using the technology behind the Nintendo Wii as a real-life example. Through building and testing an infrared circuit, students will learn to identify which components are inputs and outputs, a critical skill that deepens their understanding of how electronic systems function and enables them to design more complex circuits in the future. This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3. It has been designed to support the delivery of key topics within science and design and technology (DT). This can be effectively taught within systems and control, or electronic products approaches within design and technology, or through science with an emphasis on energy, electricity and forces. Activity: Build and test an infrared circuit Students will work in pairs to construct the circuit outlined in the “Time for a Game” worksheet. After building their circuits, they will test their functionality under different conditions and answer key questions about their design. This hands-on approach will allow students to identify the input and output components of the circuit, understand its performance in various lighting conditions, and consider how these factors would influence the design of a Wii controller. The engineering context By building and testing an infrared circuit, students will gain a practical understanding of the engineering process, from conceptualization to testing. Furthermore, this activity will inspire students to consider a career in engineering, as they experience firsthand the creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving that this field entails. Suggested learning outcomes Students will develop a working prototype of an electronic circuit, gaining practical experience in the process. They will learn to identify inputs and outputs in a circuit and test its performance under different conditions. Furthermore, they will have the opportunity to apply their findings to hypothetical design situations, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This activity will teach students the ability to explain how their research findings could affect their design ideas, enhancing their communication skills and technological literacy. Download our activity sheet 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.

Following this lesson plan, students will be able to identify the bedrock on which their town is built using a geological survey map. They’ll also investigate the properties of different types of rocks and interpret data on rock hardness and drilling capabilities. The activity also encourages leaners to consider the implications of large-scale tunnelling and boring work on the bedrock of their town. It’s not just about understanding the science behind it, but also about appreciating its impact on their everyday lives. This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3. It has been designed to support the delivery of key topics within science and design and technology (DT). It can also be used to support geography lesson teaching. Activity: Looking at the link between sewage and the underground tunnel system In this activity, your students will play the roles of investigators for a local water company. They’ll be asked to examine the feasibility of digging a tunnel underneath their town to alleviate strain on the current sewage system. The engineering context In civil engineering, knowledge of geology is essential when designing and constructing infrastructure such as buildings, bridges, tunnels, and roads. The type of soil and bedrock, the presence of groundwater, the risk of earthquakes or landslides - all these factors can greatly influence the feasibility, design, safety, and cost of construction projects. By investigating the feasibility of constructing a sewage tunnel, students will gain insights into the practical applications of their geography, science and math lessons. They’ll see first hand how engineers use their knowledge of rocks and their properties to make decisions that impact entire communities. Suggested learning outcomes The goal of this lesson plan is not only to teach your students about the properties of rocks but also to inspire them to think critically about how these properties affect our world. By the end of this activity, they’ll have a deeper understanding of their town’s geological makeup and the implications of drilling through the bedrock. They’ll also be able to interpret data on rock hardness and drilling capabilities, which are crucial skills in many STEM fields. 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 (including the film), and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. You can download our classroom lesson plan. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Get ready to apply mathematical skills to interpret data, analyse graphs, and uncover the secrets behind the success of motor racing teams. By the end of this activity, learners will gain a deeper appreciation for mathematics and its real-world applications while also developing your data analysis and graph interpretation abilities. The printable worksheet contains a GCSE maths lesson plan for secondary school teachers or parents. The presentation includes the relevant graph for this activity and corresponding questions designed for students’ engagement. Allow the students some time to read the task and consider the questions. You can give the students a paper copy of the graph. Students will need to interpret and read the graph to answer the questions. They must consider what the information displayed in the graph can tell them about the motor race. For the final task, students must find 107% of 1hr 20min. One approach would be to convert the time to minutes before finding 107%. Once students have worked out how long the car has left, they will need to use this information to calculate the distance remaining. Discussion points Encourage discussion about the answers to the bullet points. Compare the different assumptions they have made and their approaches, particularly with the final task. Extending the problem You could ask the students to make a commentary to accompany the graph or examine relevant GCSE questions. Consider using graphs that show more than one vehicle and introduce overtaking and other features. Potential GCSE content This activity will cover interpreting graphs and data, speed/distance/time and estimating. 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

Making a device to measure wind speed In this science project, students will construct a Robinson Anemometer using common household materials. Once built, students can use it to measure wind speed either inside with domestic items or outside with the natural environment. This activity can serve as a stand-alone project or as a component of a broader unit on weather or measurement. It is intended for upper Key Stage 2 learners (years 5 and 6). This resource is part of a collection of free STEM resources created to aid in the teaching of the primary national curriculum, especially in the areas of science and design and technology. The purpose of this activity is to aid in teaching key concepts through the construction of a homemade anemometer. Parts and components required: Polystyrene balls, 25 - 40 mm diameter, 1 per anemometer Wood/bamboo skewers, 3 per anemometer Putty (such as Blutack or Whitetak) OR modelling clay (such as clay, Plasticine or Playdough). EITHER 6 paper cups OR 4 paper cups and a plastic water bottle with a sports cap Sticky tape Tools and equipment required: Fans, hair-dryers or other sources of moving air Stop watches Commercial anemometer (for extension activity) The Robinson Anemometer The Robinson Anemometer is a type of cup anemometer, an instrument used for measuring wind speed. It was invented by John Thomas Romney Robinson in 1846 and is named after him. The Robinson Anemometer consists of four hemispherical cups mounted at the end of horizontal arms, which are attached to a vertical shaft. As the cups rotate due to the force of the wind, the speed of the wind can be calculated based on the rate of rotation. The Robinson Anemometer is still widely used today and is considered one of the most accurate and reliable types of anemometers. The engineering context Engineers need to be able to measure the forces that will act on the things they need to design. They need to understand how these measurements are made so that they can be confident that their designs will meet the requirements in practical situations. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will have an understanding of what is meant by wind, they will be able to construct a simple mechanical device and they will be able to understand that the linear movement of air can be measured by the rotation of an anemometer. 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

Throughout this engaging activity designed for GCSE students, learners will face intriguing challenges that revolve around wind turbines, where their problem-solving skills will be tested using equations and systematic listing techniques. By applying mathematical principles and systematic approaches, learners will uncover the secrets behind these sustainable energy marvels and gain a deeper appreciation for their significance in today’s world. It is recommended to utilise a table format for displaying the values learners substitute into the equation, along with the corresponding outcomes, indicating whether they are too large or too small. Problem Solving Students will likely employ trial and improvement or a graphical method to tackle the first question. Some may also opt to utilise a spreadsheet for their calculations. To ensure the accuracy of their solutions up to two decimal places, they are encouraged to consider using a number line, which can aid in the verification process. As for the final problem, students will need to adopt a systematic listing approach or explore other methodologies to ensure that every possible combination of gears has been thoroughly explored and tested. This activity aims to empower students to approach challenges creatively and thoughtfully by providing various problem-solving techniques and strategies. This process will sharpen their mathematical abilities and cultivate critical thinking skills, enabling them to tackle complex problems with confidence and precision. Discussion points Promote active discussion among the students regarding the diverse approaches they have employed and how they can ensure the accuracy of their answers up to two decimal places. If students have not chosen the graphical approach to solve the problem, consider demonstrating it to the class. Encourage a comparative analysis of the various methods used to address the subsequent problems and enquire about the students’ strategies to ensure they have explored all potential combinations of gears. Potential GCSE content This activity will cover using trial and improvement to solve an equation, calculations with fractions, ratios and systematic listing. 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

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. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links An engaging activity introducing students to the differences between analogue and digital communication. An analogue signal can be rendered useless by small amounts of interference, whereas a digital signal remains coherent. 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 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 beautiful red gift envelope for Chinese New Year. In this activity students will learn about nets within a graphics project and will have an opportunity to use a net to make a Chinese red envelope. During the New Year in China, it is traditional to give the gift of a bright, beautiful red envelope to your friends and family. In Chinese the red envelope is known as 紅包, hóngbāo) and the red colour symbolizes good luck and prosperity. Often the envelope contains money. The envelopes are often decorated with good luck symbols like happy children, beautiful clothing and a peach. Download the activities 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. Materials you will need: Red card Glue sticks or PVA Scissors Optional: gold/Silver pens to add decoration Optional: pre-printed Chinese New Year images. 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 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

Use mathematical calculations to decide whether it is worth switching to an alternative fuel Can data be used to determine whether it is worth converting to LPG? This activity will encourage students to use their problem-solving skills. Understanding what information is needed and how to use the information is a key part of problem solving. Download our free fuel consumption worksheet below to take part in this engaging activity. This is a great way for GCSE students to learn about fuel efficiency and develop their problem-solving skills. Students should to read the problem on the first slide of the presentation. Let them think about what criteria they can use to decide whether it’s worth converting to LPG. They should take into account the annual mileage, price of petrol or LPG at the local station and size of the car in question. They should consider the amount of money saved by converting vs the cost of the conversion. Some students may want to examine the time it would take to recover the cost of converting the car. They also need to be aware that “a car uses 10% more LPG than petrol when driving the same distance.” Discussion points Encourage discussion about which type of car saves most and get them to think about why this is. Remember they all do the same annual mileage! If students don’t consider recovering the cost of conversion, then prompt them at some point. Extending the problem It is possible to use the spreadsheet to produce a graph showing how the savings vary with annual mileage. Students could investigate the fluctuations in LPG and petrol prices over time to see if this would influence their decision. Potential GCSE content covered In this activity learners will use and apply calculations, use compound measures, calculate the percentage of an amount and consider the application of algebra to spreadsheets. What is LPG? LPG is a by-product of crude oil extraction and the refining process. Many people who consider LPG as an alternative to petrol do so because they believe that the combustion of propane results in lower carbon dioxide emissions. In terms of fuel costs, LPG costs a little more than half the price of petrol or diesel, but fuel economy is about 20-25% lower. Therefore, the overall running costs of an LPG car is approximately a third less than a petrol only car – but only once you’ve recovered the cost of the conversion. 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

Decide on a systematic way to estimate the number of objects in an image In this engaging STEM activity, designed for secondary school students, learners will take images from the Hubble telescope and use them to estimate the number of stars contained in those images. Activity: Counting stars using estimation The first slide in the presentation below introduces students to the context of the challenge and pushes them to think about how mathematics can be used to solve a real-life problem. The second slide asks the students to estimate the number of stars in the image. A Geogebra file “counting stars” which subdivides the enlarged image into smaller grids for sampling has been supplied. Students will need to find a systematic way of estimating the number of objects in the enlarged image. One approach is to subdivide the enlarged image into smaller sections, count some of these and work out the mean. This mean can then be taken as the number of objects per subsection and multiplied by the number of subsections to get an estimate of the number of objects in the enlarged image. To obtain an estimate for the number of stars in the original image, this figure then needs to be multiplied by the number of enlarged images in the original image. Students will need to consider when to round off and what degree of accuracy is appropriate. Discussion points Comparing the different estimates obtained by the students would be interesting. Looking at the differences in their estimates for the number of objects in the enlarged image first and then observing how this transferred to the differences in the original image. Extending the problem This method is used in a wide variety of contexts, from estimating the number of hairs on someone’s head to auditing the number of insects in an enclosure at a zoo. This activity could be extended by looking at capture/recapture as a method of estimating animal populations. Potential GCSE content covered In this activity students will cover mean average, rounding and accuracy and reasoning from calculations. 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

Is it ethical to use microchip implants in pets and people? Living in a highly technological world, where access to information and entertainment is at our fingertips, the Inform and Entertain Me topic is a gateway to engage and introduce students to the principles and technology that form the basis for communication devices that are used in our everyday lives. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links This engaging activity introduces students to the use of RFID technology. They investigate extensions to the use of such technology in various contexts. 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

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.

Through this fun and engaging STEM activity, learners will understand how aerodynamic and streamlined shapes are used in our day to day lives and the design, technology, and engineering principles behind them. This is a free resource aimed at secondary school children. Students will have the opportunity to learn about aerodynamic forces and aerodynamic design and how these design principles enhance speed and efficiency in a product. A brilliant engineering activity for kids. Students will start to understand the basic principles of aerodynamics by looking at familiar products that have been designed with ‘speed’ in mind and through identifying features common to these products. Later, they could start to explore the requirements of aerodynamic design through testing simple shapes in a wind tunnel and through water. The activity focuses on students acquiring an understanding of aerodynamics through testing, experimenting, and developing. 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. What do the images have in common? Why have they been designed in that shape? Could they be split into themed groups? As an extension students could be asked to consider the social/economic and technological benefits (and drawbacks) of each example. This will give some reasoning behind the development of the final design and illustrate how there are many different factors affecting the design. The engineering context Aerodynamics refers to the way air moves around things. Anything that moves through the air reacts to aerodynamics. Aerodynamics acts on aeroplanes, rockets, kites and even cars! Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to identify areas where aerodynamics is used in real life and they will be able to describe the social/economic and technological effect of the work. All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

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

In this pulleys A Level maths resource, you examine forces in equilibrium in a hands-on activity and explore A Level maths. Can you use your knowledge of mechanics to predict the mass of the unknown object? Do the ks5 calculations and then check your predictions. This practical is designed to be easily set up and carried out in an A Level maths classroom using simple equipment. It will help students to understand the mechanics topics of forces and Newton’s laws in A level Mathematics. It is covered in KS5 AQA A Level maths and Edexcel A Level maths curricula. The pulleys 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. Download the activity sheets for free! And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation as you find more A Level maths resources and A Level maths lesson plans from the IET.

Investigate the salinity of different water samples 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 In this practical activity students investigate the salinity of three different water samples using a multimeter. Students first calibrate their salination probe and test the salinity of their solutions. Students can be asked to suggest how errors might have appeared in their results and what could be done to minimise or eliminate them. This activity can be used as an extension to the ‘Filtering water’ 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 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