Write a set of rules for governing the behaviour of a robot swarm used in search and rescue operations The use of different types of signals is hugely important in all areas of healthcare. Signal processing engineers are involved in everything from extracting information from the body’s own electrical and chemical signals to using wireless signals to allow search-and-rescue robot swarms to communicate with each other. Together with related activities, this resource allows students to investigate the wide range of sophisticated imaging technology available in modern hospitals, and to explore the latest ideas in search-and-rescue robotics. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links This activity gets students to work in small teams to create a set of simple rules which can be used to control a robot swarm designed to help in search-and-rescue-type scenarios such as earthquakes. The ‘Robot Swarms’ student brief sets the scene. 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.

In this activity students will consider the heating effects of infrared energy, and how this is used in a range of products. They will then develop an experiment to measure the heat output from different devices. It’s one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in science (specifically physics) and design & technology (D&T). Activity: Considering the heating effects of infrared energy and how this is used in a range of products At the start of the activity students will brainstorm different ways energy appears in the home and what colour they associate with heat. In pairs, students will then discuss the ultimate fate of most energy (becoming heat) and why devices like TVs and computers get warm. They’ll view our Cooking Devices presentation to identify the energy used to heat food. They’ll also examine appliances that produce infrared heat before designing an experiment to measure how much heat different devices produce. Results must be recorded using our Results Table worksheet so that they can be analysed in terms of which devices heat most effectively. Students will then be asked a series of questions which reflect on how infrared energy is connected to the temperature changes. Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan on infrared energy. The engineering context Understanding the principles of infrared heat can lead engineers to create and improve devices that warm objects directly, unlike convection heating which heats the air around an object. Suggested learning outcomes At the end of this lesson students will know how light and infrared travels as a wave. They’ll also understand the electromagnetic spectrum and its applications., as well as convection and the link between frequency and wavelength. 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

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

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

Students build a communications device and develop a protocol to communicate with each other This is an engaging and practical activity in which students will work in small teams to investigate the necessity of developing standards and protocols for communication using a basic electrical circuit. Their objective is to build a basic communication device and establish communication between teams. Each team should receive a copy of the ‘Building the Communicator’ handout and proceed to assemble their circuits. This activity is a great way to introduce students to the history and practical use of telecommunication while also engaging their creativity and problem-solving skills. How long will this activity take? This activity will take approximately 45 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Per team: One non-latching push to make switch Connecting leads One light bulb (3V approx) and holder One 3V power supply (best to use cells so that bulbs do not blow) Supply of crocodile clips The engineering context Telemedicine engineers are professionals who specialise in designing, developing, and implementing technological solutions for remote medical care. They utilise their expertise in engineering, software development, and medical equipment to create systems that enable patients to receive medical care remotely. Telemedicine engineers also work closely with healthcare providers to understand their needs and develop solutions that address their challenges. Telemedicine engineers play a critical role in expanding access to healthcare for patients in remote areas. They contribute to the development of cutting-edge technology that allows medical practitioners to deliver high-quality care to patients from a distance. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to build a simple electrical circuit, design a code for easy transmission of messages between two teams and explain why global protocols are required. 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

Learn about dance floors that generate electricity and consider how output is linked to activity The engineers behind the Watt Nightclub in Rotterdam turn the energy created by clubbers on the dance-floor into power for the lighting. There’s even a giant battery to monitor the energy and encourage the crowd to dance even more. Doing your bit for the environment doesn’t have to be boring! This engaging STEM activity is perfect for KS3 students and gives them the opportunity to develop their understanding of graphs in an engineering context. Students will learn about dance floors that generate electricity and consider how output is linked to activity. There are a number of slides within the presentation that show different graphs and students are invited to develop their own descriptions to explain their shape. Discuss as a class what the amount of electricity is dependent upon (for example, the number of dancers, how energetically they dance). Also discuss how these variables can change, e.g., they can increase steadily, decrease steadily, or vary over time. Some students may raise the issue of the type of music being played. Popular, lively tracks are likely to get everyone on the floor, all dancing energetically, whereas a slower and/or less popular track immediately following will reduce the energy output (as people dance less energetically and/or a number of people go to get a drink, etc.). Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this free resource students will have an understanding of linear functions in practical problems and they will be able to construct linear functions from real-life problems and plot their corresponding graphs. They will also be able to discuss and interpret graphs modelling real-life situations. 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 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.

Investigate the properties of smart springs and see how they might be used as muscles in a robotic arm This fun engineering activity encourages students to investigate prosthetic materials and the properties of smart springs and see how they could be used as muscles in a robotic arm. This is a free resource aimed at secondary school students. This activity encourages students to investigate the properties of smart materials and carry out some data manipulation. Students will also explore the possible moral and ethical issues associated with people potentially choosing to replace healthy body parts with artificial prostheses because they offer higher performance. This exercise should take around an hour to complete. Resources required for class: Several desk fans should be available but kept out of sight of the students until needed. Resources required per team: Wooden ‘arm’ as shown in the diagram on the handout below. These will need to be constructed in advance of the lesson. This could be done either by the science technician or by the students themselves as part of a joint project with design and technology. 1 to 1.5 mm diameter copper or other fairly flexible metal wire. Must be stripped of insulation A smart spring made from a shape memory alloy such as nitinol Power supply, leads, crocodile clips Retort stand Ammeter Voltmeter Sets of slot masses of various sizes The engineering context The development of new materials with incredible properties is changing the way we live. From LCD TVs to super light airliners, these materials have quickly found their way into the modern technology around us. One area where modern materials have made a huge impact is in the development of prosthetic devices. Some of these devices are beginning to outperform ‘natural’ body parts. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity learners will be able to explain why a material is chosen for a use based on its properties, they will be able to describe how smart materials are used in a real life context and they will be able to use and manipulate material-related data. 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

**This activity gets students to use their knowledge of electromagnetism in order to design and build a magnetic tool holder for a surgical robot. ** Students learn how simple scientific principles can be used in sophisticated applications, how electric circuits can be switched on and off, and the factors that can affect the strength of an electromagnet. Activity introduction Each group is a dedicated design team with a compelling mission – to craft a comprehensive outline design for a tool holder tailored to seamlessly integrate with a surgical robot’s arm. The task at hand: • Each surgical tool boasts a magnetic fitting, necessitating the utilisation of an electromagnet within the tool holder to ensure a secure grip. • A dynamic approach is required considering the diverse range of sizes and weights among these tools; This entails varying the electromagnet’s strength to account for this. Guided by these challenges, teams will brainstorm, innovate, and collaborate to present their inventive solutions in a concise one-minute presentation to the rest of the class and assessed according to the success criteria on the design brief. The engineering context Telemedicine employs contemporary communication technology to provide medical diagnoses and patient care, even when the physician and patient are geographically separate. Remote surgery entails utilising robotic systems within the operating room to aid surgeons during procedures. The surgeon observes the patient through a terminal and controls robotic surgical instruments using a specialised console. Suggested learning outcomes Upon completion of this activity, students will gain an understanding of the capabilities of surgical robots. They will grasp the transformation of basic scientific principles into intricate applications, comprehend the functioning of electric circuits’ activation and deactivation, and discern the variables impacting the strength of an electromagnet. 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

This activity makes students aware that when they watch TV, or use the phone, there is a huge expensive communications infrastructure that needs to be paid for and maintained. 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. It’s one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in science and design & technology (D&T). Activity: Learning about the infrastructure technology that keeps phones, computers and WiFi working This activity gives students an understanding of the technological infrastructure that lets mobile phones and other communication devices connect to one another. Students will first view our infrastructure presentation, which explains the various components needed for communication networks (e.g., cell towers, base stations, cables, etc.). They will then investigate online how mobile phone networks and other communications systems work. Students must create either a flow chart or a diagram that shows how these networks operate, explaining the key steps involved in the process. Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan on infrastructure. The engineering context We need a robust infrastructure network if we’re to connect people and businesses regardless of their location. Engineers must work to ensure fast and dependable data transmission for our TV, radio and internet signals – much of which drives the entertainment that we all enjoy. It also underpins communication and data transfer for much of our essential services besides giving us a comfortable standard of living. Suggested learning outcomes In this activity, students will learn about artificial and geostationary satellites and their uses. They’ll make decisions about the use of modern communications technology based on social, environmental, and economic factors. 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 and please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Card game to consolidate understanding of electronic systems The role of smart sensors in our everyday lives is becoming increasingly fundamental. The Smart Sensor Communications topic focuses on what smart sensors are, how they are being used today and how they can be innovative in the future. Students are introduced to some recent developments in using smart sensors in control systems. Many of these uses are in health care and other high-tech applications. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity students learn the differences between smart sensors and ordinary sensors by studying some applications of smart sensors. They may also use a card game to consolidate their understanding of electronic systems. 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. You can stream and download the related films by clicking on the appropriate link in the related resources section. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

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.

Investigate aspects of biomedical signal processing The use of different types of signals is hugely important in all areas of healthcare. Signal processing engineers are involved in everything from extracting information from the body’s own electrical and chemical signals to using wireless signals to allow search-and-rescue robot swarms to communicate with each other. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this practical session students investigate aspects of signal processing. Working in teams, students convert an analogue brain signal into a digital format and transmit it across the classroom to another team using flashes from the LED on the Digital Communicator that they will need to build. The other team will record the digital format and rebuild the original waveform from that information. This activity can be used as a hands-on extension to the ‘Which Imaging Technique?’ activity (see Related activities section below). 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

Consider history of energy sources and their pros and cons This lesson plan is designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the changing use and types of energy sources over time. It’s an engaging resource that delves into how and why the variety of energy sources used domestically have evolved, offering a broader context for understanding the development of new types of energy sources and the factors propelling these changes. Taking a journey through history, learners will see the evolution of energy sources, from primitive times to the present day. They’ll consider the advantages and disadvantages of different energy types and how technology and societal needs have influenced their adoption. This exploration will provide them with a foundation to understand the importance of new energy sources and the complexities involved in their development. 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, maths and design and technology (DT). Activity: Considering the history of different types of energy sources and their pros and cons In this activity, students will create a timeline showcasing the development and implementation of a specific energy source. They’ll start by brainstorming different types of energy sources used throughout history, then discuss how these sources are used in homes. Each team will research their allocated energy source, noting key points in its development, what made it popular, and factors that made it less desirable. The engineering context Every new energy source represents a triumph of engineering – a solution to a problem, an improvement on what came before. This activity will show students how engineers have shaped our energy landscape throughout history. By understanding the challenges and triumphs in developing new energy sources, students will gain a deeper appreciation for the field of engineering and may be inspired to become the problem solvers of the future. Suggested learning outcomes By participating in this activity, students will gain the ability to illustrate how mankind’s energy sources have evolved over time. They’ll understand the factors that necessitated and facilitated the change in our energy sources, and why some alternative sources were adopted faster than others. This comprehensive understanding will enable them to appreciate the complexities of developing new energy sources, and the economic and environmental considerations involved. Download our activity sheets for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation

This fun STEM resource focuses on making shadow puppets while nurturing an understanding of the relationship between light and shadow. We’ve created this shadow puppet experiment to support the teaching of key topics within design and technology (D&T) and science as part of the primary national curriculum at key stage 2 (KS2). This resource focuses on making shadow puppets and developing supporting knowledge about the relationship between light and shadow. This could be used as a one-off activity in D&T or science or linked with the IET primary activity ‘How does the light from a torch change with distance?’, which involves measuring how the distribution of light varies with distance from the light source. It could also be used in conjunction with learning in literacy – for example, creating puppets to perform a story being studied. Activity: Making shadow puppets Learners will make a shadow puppet using card, craft sticks and sticky tape. This not only makes learning about shadow puppets fun but also fosters creativity and storytelling skills among learners at the KS2 level. Tools/supplies needed: Card (photocopies of handouts, if used) Masking tape Craft sticks Tracing paper (for screen) Large boxes (for extension activity) Scissors Torches The Engineering Context Engineers often have to consider how light behaves when designing products for practical applications. For instance, the positioning of windows and artificial lighting in buildings, or the power and placement of lights and mirrors in vehicles, are all influenced by an understanding of light and shadow. This activity will give learners an insight into these considerations. Suggested learning outcomes Light is a type of electromagnetic radiation. Visible light is the range of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be seen with a human eye. Light’s brightness, or intensity, is typically measured as the power per unit area. Any object that blocks the path of light causes a shadow. This activity therefore offers a blend of scientific learning, practical skills, and creative expression, making it a comprehensive educational experience. Specifically, children will learn that blocking the path of light causes a shadow, and they’ll be able to use scissors to make a graphic product. Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

In this activity, students will design a fun infrared ‘tag’ game. It ideally needs to be preceded by our input, process and output activity as students must draw on their earlier work for designing the game. It’s one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in engineering and design & technology (D&T). Activity: Designing an infrared ‘tag’ game Students will design a new version of the classic tag game using their electronics knowledge to create a fun interactive experience. Learners will review our design brief to design a novelty “tag” game using emitter and detector circuits (which have been tested previously in input, process and output) to indicate when a player is “tagged”. The game needs to be easy to use and playable both indoors and outdoors. As a class, students will review the key requirements of the brief and discuss these in pairs. They will then draw their design ideas with annotations. From their ideas, they’ll select one design for modelling using 3D CAD software. Finally, they should present their idea to the class for feedback on how it can be improved. Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan on designing a fun infrared tag game. The engineering context Infrared technology has been used in the design of all sorts of fun devices, from TV remote controls to Wii remotes, mobile devices, and laser tag games. By understanding how this technology works, learners can start their journey to potential careers in computer games engineering. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this lesson, students will be able to analyse a design brief. They’ll also be able to explain how research findings affect design ides as well as be able to generate ideas for a product. Finally, they’ll be able to produce a 3D CAD model of a design idea. 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 and please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Learn about the robots used to perform remote surgery and the important role of electromagnetism Telemedicine is a new and fast-developing field in healthcare. Even 20 years ago the idea of a surgeon being able to operate a robot from hundreds of miles away in order to perform an operation seemed like science fiction. Today, this is not only possible but engineers, working with scientists and doctors, are now designing robotic systems which will be able to operate on patients with no human intervention at all. This activity is a quick, engaging introduction to a lesson using telemedicine and robotics as a context to explore electromagnetism and the link between technology and real-life science. Download the activity sheets for free! And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Identify the advantages and disadvantages of remote or robotic surgery Telemedicine is a new and fast developing field in healthcare. Even 20 years ago the idea of a surgeon being able to operate a robot from hundreds of miles away in order to perform an operation seemed like science fiction. Today, this is not only possible but engineers, working with scientists and doctors, are now designing robotic systems which will be able to operate on patients with no human intervention at all. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity, learners will explore the impact of modern technology on science, using telemedicine and robotics as a context. The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Download the activity sheets for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Students compete to make the strongest electromagnetic tool holder for a surgeons robotic arm. A practical activity where students work in teams to build their own electromagnet and use this to make an ‘arm’ with an electromagnetic gripper at one end. They are given some basic parts to start and a budget - a sum of ‘money’ or tokens with which to buy the other parts. Once their arm and gripper are complete they have 30 seconds to move as many paper clips from one pile to another as possible. The team moving the most paper clips in the allotted time is the winner. This activity makes students consider the factors involved in electromagnet strength and design. Download the activity sheets for free! And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Investigate how different battery voltages affect their brightness is key to understanding how series electrical circuits work. In this fun exercise for KS2, students will construct three separate lamp circuits: one powered by a single AA battery, one powered by two AA batteries and one powered by three AA batteries. Students will learn about current, voltage and how simple series circuits work. Activity: Investigating lamp brightness This resource is part of a collection of free STEM resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within science and design and technology. This resource focuses on the investigation of how different supply voltages affect the brightness of a lamp. This activity could be used as a one-off activity or as part of a wider unit of work focusing on electricity and electrical circuits. It can be completed as individuals or in small groups, dependent on the components available. How long will this activity take? This activity will take approximately 45-75 minutes to complete. Parts and components required: Red and black crocodile clips 1.5 V AA batteries and holders with wires 4.5 V lamps and holders The engineering context Engineers need to be able to understand how basic electrical circuits work. This includes current flow and how supply voltage affects the brightness of lamps in simple series circuits. This knowledge could be used when investigating, designing, or making electrical and electronic circuits in the future. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will have an understanding of what is meant by the terms current and voltage, they will have an understanding of why the brightness of a lamp changes with the number and voltage of the batteries that it is connected to, and they will be able to construct simple series circuits using batteries, lamps and crocodile clips. Download the free Investigating lamp brightness activity sheet! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

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