A Short STEAM project for KS3 students that introduces them to sustainability, renewable energy and encourages them as designers to create solutions to target global goal 11.2 : Sustainable Cities and Communities, affordable and sustainable transport. The resource contains a 20 page slide show that has been divided into structured lessons. The resource has an accompanying project booklet which can be printed for students to work in, the booklet is editable and can be inserted into a larger booklet containing multiple projects. This is a brilliant project that I have delivered to KS3 students over the past few years and they really connect with it and enjoy building and racing their outcomes. A great introduction to STEAM as the project follows the design process. Students will start by analysing the globals goal and exploring the design context. Students will then learn all about fossil fuels and the problems caused by their overuse, students will be introduced to renewable energy sources and then set the challenge of designing and manufacturing a wind powered car. The project includes information about forces and motion and allows students to understand these elements of physics in a practical setting. All resources are completely editable.

A great challenge lesson that I use regularly with students of all ages. The aim is to develop an understanding of structures and construction in a creative practical way. Students work as a group to build the tallest freestanding structure out of spaghetti and tape. The structure has to support the weight of the marshmallow. Students can be encouraged to take an iterative approach to building their structure by assessing the structure at intervals and building upon it. Lesson includes a slideshow with information about the challenge and how triangulation is used in construction. An evaluation worksheet that can be used during manufacture or at the end of the lesson as a plenary task.