Naughty or nice meter

In this festive STEM graphics project, students will use a net to make a naughty or nice gauge and customise it to their own design.

This activity could be used as a main lesson to teach learners how to use nets to make useable objects. It could also be used as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on how maths can be utilised to understand the use of nets. Nets are important as they allow 3D objects to be made when folded.

This activity is one of a series of free STEM resources designed to allow learners to use Christmas themes to support the teaching of the primary National Curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within design and technology, and maths.

The graphics could be added by hand or using IT. The examples at the end of the presentation were made by learners using computers at home during a lesson delivered using conferencing software.

Resources required
A4 paper or thin card for handouts
Scissors
Rulers
Brass split pin fasteners
Drawing and colouring equipment

If available, the handout should be printed on a thin card, as greater rigidity improves performance.

The engineering context
Engineers use gauges to give visual displays of the amounts or levels of things. This can range from the volume control on a television to the fuel tank on a car to a temperature gauge on a machine.

Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will understand that gauges are used to measure things, and they will be able to make a graphic product by cutting and folding a net.

Download the Naughty or nice activity sheet 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.

Oh ho ho, and please do share your classroom highlights with us @IETeducation! #SantaLovesSTEM.