Investigating how carbon dioxide affects temperature In this activity learners will discover the effects of mixing chemicals and the warming effects of the sun. They will undertake a controlled experiment to investigate how gases in the atmosphere affect the heat in an enclosed environment. This activity could be used as a main lesson activity, to introduce the concept of the earth’s atmosphere, or as part of a series of lessons investigating environmental issues, the effect of global warming and greenhouse gasses. 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 & Technology, Science, Maths and Humanities. This resource, developed with the support of National Grid ESO, in a practical experiment that investigates how the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide affects the temperature is a closed environment. National Grid ESO ensure that Great Britain has the essential energy it needs by ensuring supply meets demand every second of every day. This activity can be simplified (particularly for less able students) by providing learners with pre-prepared jars and cling film. This activity is designed to take between 50-60 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required 4 large empty jars Cling film Scissors Masking tape Permanent marker Bicarbonate of soda White vinegar Measuring cups and spoons Elastic bands Thermometers (non-contact infra-red type preferred; if using a traditional contact type one thermometer will be needed for each jar) Heat source (radiator with a flat top or a sunny window) The engineering context Many human activities result in emissions of greenhouse gases. These can have a significant effect changing the climate and weather conditions that we experience. There is a wide range of possible ways to reduce these emissions. Engineers play a huge role in such areas, developing and implementing processes and materials that produce lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions, such as sustainable methods of power generation. Engineers also have a significant social influence on our behaviours as a society when we consider the future implications of our actions and consumption. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this free resource students will be able to understand that carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and be able to make a reaction between 2 materials/chemicals. 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.

Look at the difference between smart and engineered materials Our lesson plan on engineering products offers a focus on how materials have been specifically engineered to provide the necessary qualities and characteristics. Learners will enjoy the challenge of investigating the differences between these two types of materials, understanding their properties, uses, and the process of their creation. It gives an opportunity for students to explore a range of engineered and smart materials, identifying why they are ‘fit for purpose’ and how they have been engineered to achieve their objectives. 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 science and design and technology (DT). Activity: Investigating the difference between smart and engineered materials In this activity, students will work in pairs to research a specific engineered material. They are tasked with creating a fact sheet or PowerPoint presentation that includes the following information about their chosen material: its chemical, physical and mechanical properties, what it looks like visually and at a molecular level, what it was designed to do, how it is made, what it is made from, what it is used for, and whether it has evolved from its original intended function. These projects can be used as a wall display or be presented to the rest of the class, promoting an interactive and collaborative learning environment. The engineering context Smart and engineered materials form the foundation of many products and structures that we use daily. By understanding how they are made, what they are used for, and how they can be manipulated, children can gain a deeper understanding of key engineering principles. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will have a comprehensive understanding of how materials can be designed and made for specific characteristics and purposes. They will be able to identify the properties of materials required for a specific function and explore a range of engineered materials, understanding why and how they have been developed. This activity will also enhance their research, presentation, and teamwork skills, making it a well-rounded educational experience. 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. You can download our step-by-step classroom lesson plan instructions as well as a handout worksheet. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

A set of printable resources and guidance notes giving teachers and technicians the basic ingredients to run their very own IET Faraday® DIY Challenge Day. This cross-curricular activity day brings science, design and technology, engineering and maths (STEM) together in an engaging way. The context of the challenge Humans have been exploring the Earth for many years, travelling abroad for holidays, organising explorations to the top of mountains, to the poles of the Earth and to the bottom of oceans. What happens when this spirit of expedition is turned to the skies? Activity info and teachers’ notes The Mission to Mars challenge is based on the IET Faraday® Challenge Day of the same name from our 2013/14 IET Faraday® Challenge Day season. Students are the engineer specialists recruited by ‘Make it 2 Mars’ to establish a human settlement on the planet Mars by 2023. Students will design and construct a rocket which will transport supplies via Earth orbit to the astronauts on Mars, as well as building a system to transport their rocket to the launch site for testing. Designed for six teams of six students (36 students in total) aged 12 – 13 years (year 8, and equivalent), the challenge encourages the development of students’ problem solving, team working and communication skills. This activity day can be tailored to the needs of your school and your students by adapting the PowerPoint presentation and the editable student booklet. What’s included? The complete set of downloadable materials includes: Teachers pack A list of the practical materials needed, presenters’ notes highlighting key areas and reinforcing key themes throughout the day, some handy hints on how to deliver the day . . . plus printable Faradays currency and student certificates. Student booklet Available as an editable MSWord document to allow the booklet to be adapted to meets the needs of your students and your school. Introductory PowerPoint presentation A step-by-step guide for your students throughout the day, with supporting notes for the delivery of the presentation, including links to the related film clips. Download the free activity sheet below! All online resources are free to download, and the student booklet and PowerPoint presentation are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. If you are running one of our IET Faraday® DIY Challenge Day please do share your experience with us via our feedback form and case study template here. If you are unfamiliar with how to run a IET Faraday® DIY Challenge Day have a look at our 6 start-up videos here where we take you through the days, how they should run and what they entail. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

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.

Look at the type of electromagnetic radiation used in different imaging techniques In this engaging activity students will look at the properties and applications of waves in general, and the electromagnetic spectrum in particular. 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. From X-rays to MRI scans, student will gain a new appreciation for the science behind these common procedures. 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). Activity: Looking at the type of electromagnetic radiation used in different imaging techniques Learners will try to work out the type of electromagnetic radiation used in different imaging techniques. Students will be given a quiz handout with five statements related to a specific wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. They will discuss in mixed ability teams to determine the correct type of radiation for each statement. The quiz includes four rounds, with the possibility of extending the activity by adding properties for other areas of the spectrum such as infrared, ultraviolet, and more. The engineering context Many medical imaging technologies, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI, are based on principles of electromagnetic radiation. By looking at the practical applications of electromagnetic radiation, students will see first hand how engineers can make significant contributions to healthcare and other vital sectors. Suggested learning outcomes Students will deepen their understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum and its continuous range of wavelengths, frequencies, and associated properties. They will become aware of the practical applications of electromagnetic radiation in medicine, particularly through the use of scanners. This knowledge will not only enhance their scientific understanding but also foster critical thinking and cooperative learning skills. 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. You can download our classroom lesson plan and quizzes for free! Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Making the tallest structure The shape of a structure has a significant effect on its strength and its stiffness. A structure made from squares can be made significantly more rigid and less likely to collapse by adding reinforcement to form triangles. This principle is widely used in civil engineering when designing new bridges and buildings. In this activity, pupils develop both their skills in using a glue gun and demonstrate their understanding of how structures can be reinforced, by making a structure from spaghetti. In this activity, participants begin by predicting how a square structure would affect the properties of a building and for any suggestions as to how it could be made stronger. Then working in teams, pupils have 15 minutes to build a structure from spaghetti. This is a competition – the tallest structure wins. The structure must be free-standing – that means nothing else can support it. Each team can only use 12 pieces of spaghetti – they can break some of it into smaller lengths if needed to reinforce the structure. Once the fifteen minutes has passed, each team reviews the structures, comparing which is the tallest and identifying how each structure could have been made stronger or taller. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links This activity teaches transferable skills to the construction industry and beyond. This activity could be used in Key Stage 2 as a stand-alone activity, as a focused task to develop skills in the use of the glue gun, or as an introduction to a design and make project, such as the spaghetti bridges. If the view of the teacher is that their pupils do not have sufficient maturity to use the glue guns, this activity could be carried out using spaghetti and marshmallows – an example of this is included in the additional websites. Download the free resources! 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. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Model and construct 3 simple pulley systems, designed to lift loads Mechanical systems allow us to perform tasks that would otherwise be very difficult, such as pulley systems that lift objects that would otherwise be far too heavy to move. For example, cranes on building sites that move heavy materials. This KS4 maths resource focuses on the use and application of pulley systems. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links An engaging activity in which students will model and construct three different examples of pulley systems designed to lift loads. It will build knowledge and understanding of how pulley systems work and their practical uses. 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 free 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. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Role play about the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy As we rely so heavily on electrical energy in our lives, it’s crucial for students to understand the processes and implications of its generation. Our role play activity will engage the whole classroom through debate, where participants will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of generating electrical energy using nuclear fuel. 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 engineering and design and technology (DT). Activity: Role play about the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy In this activity, learners learn about nuclear energy and then assume various roles to discuss and debate a proposal to construct a new nuclear power station in their local area. Learners will review how nuclear power is generated and then weigh its pros and cons. By executing a group role play, students will gain a deeper understanding of the topic. The activity concludes with class feedback, where learners justify their decisions, promoting reflective thinking. Download our activity overview and presentation for a detailed lesson plan for teaching students about nuclear energy. The engineering context Engineering is all about problem-solving and making informed decisions. By debating the construction of a new nuclear power station, students will get a glimpse into the challenges engineers face daily. This activity will inspire them to think like engineers, weighing the pros and cons before making decisions that impact society. Suggested learning outcomes This activity is designed to help students grasp how electrical energy is generated from nuclear fuel and comprehend both the benefits and drawbacks of this method. Furthermore, it encourages learners to apply their knowledge to real-world situations, enhancing their understanding of the issues surrounding electrical energy generation. 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. You can download our classroom lesson plan and our PowerPoint presentation. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation

Primary classroom poster enabling your students to discover more about light and how it travels. Download the single poster here or order the full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.

Play our card activity about animals that hibernate over the winter Play a fun, science flashcard game to learn about the different animals that hibernate over winter, where they hibernate, what they eat and how long they hibernate for. Although you might think a hibernating animal is just having a very long sleep, there’s actually some very clever stuff going on inside its body. Its body temperature, heart rate and breathing rate all drop, so that the animal uses less energy. It’s a game for two or more players. For an extra activity, we have included a crossword puzzle that uses words from the game to promote sticky learning. A free activity sheet and card templates are available to download. And please do share your learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETeducation.

Primary classroom poster exploring the ISS. Download the single poster or order the full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.

IET Faraday® DIY Challenge Day This engineering challenge for kids aims to create a device that consistently serves table tennis balls to a player so that they can practice their skills at the table tennis table. By creating this brilliant machine, a player can practice table tennis on their own while the machine serves back to them. Activity introduction The Faraday Challenge ‘Table Tennis Server’ has been designed for six teams of six students (36 students in total) aged 12 – 13 years (year 8, and equivalent). Each team will be asked to assign: a team leader; an accountant; an assessment coordinator; two scientists; two mathematicians; two design and technologists; manufacturers and designers. Each team member will need to be assigned more than one role and feed into different aspects of the day. You can adapt this set of resources for larger numbers of students if, for example, you wish to run the event for the whole year group. If this is the case, you will need to increase the number of team booklets and practical resources appropriately. We have provided a set of printable resources and guidelines notes giving teachers and technicians the basic ingredients to run their very own Faraday Challenge Day. This cross-curricular activity day brings science, design and technology, engineering and maths (STEM) together in an engaging way. The set of downloadable materials includes: Teachers pack A list of the practical materials needed, presenters’ notes highlighting key areas and reinforcing key themes throughout the day, some handy hints on how to deliver the day . . . plus printable Faradays currency and student certificates. Student booklet Available as an editable MSWord document to allow the booklet to be adapted to meets the needs of your students and your school. Introductory PowerPoint presentation A step-by-step guide for your students throughout the day, with supporting notes for the delivery of the presentation, including links to the related film clips. The engineering context Table tennis is a growing sport in the UK. Practice, as with most things, is the key to improving at the sport. The only problem is that it is hard to practice on your own. Being able to return service is often what provides the edge in terms of winning and losing. Within this challenge, students will work in teams to design and make a prototype device that will serve tennis balls consistently across a table tennis table. The server must fit securely on the edge of the table and serve at least four balls accurately and precisely in the same position, and allow the ball to be returned. Download the activity sheets for free! All online resources (including film clips!) are free to download, and the student booklet and PowerPoint presentation are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. For additional related videos, please visit the IET Education website.

Find out the science behind ice During bad winters in the UK, we use nearly 2 million tonnes of salt to melt snow and ice. But how does salt melt ice? Watch our video and join Wilf Wonders as he explains the science behind melting ice and learn interesting fun facts that you can share this Christmas! Please do share your science highlights with us @IETeducation! #SantaLovesSTEM.

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

**Play eye spy and tick off the items during traveling. ** Use our activity sheets, watch out of the window and tick off all the items you spot while traveling. There are two versions, one for younger children and one for those slightly older - both with questions to discuss along the way, and answer sheets to solve any mysteries. Download our free activity sheet today and get spying! Oh ho ho, and please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation! #SantaLovesSTEM

**Discover how to make a necklace inspired by ancient Egyptian jewellery ** In this activity for kids, students will learn how to make an item of jewellery inspired by ancient Egyptian jewellery. This activity will teach students historical facts about ancient Egypt and encourage them to design and create. Resources are provided for teachers to help students make a necklace inspired by the jewellery of the ancient Egyptians. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity learners will make an example of a necklace inspired by ancient Egyptian jewellery from easily sourced materials. There are related activities that involve making an alternative form of necklace and bracelets. 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. And please do share your learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETeducation or send them via email to IETEducation@theiet.org to be featured in our online gallery. Downloadable content • Make an Egyptian necklace activity • Make an Egyptian necklace presentation Tools/resources required Metallic card Kitchen roll/toilet roll tube x3 Gold/silver/bronze paint PVA Glue/glue dots Scissors Rope/cord pre-cut into three lengths 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.

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

Use mathematics to investigate the topical issue of the cost and efficient use of energy This engaging activity for KS3 seeks to teach students how to use mathematics to investigate the topical issue of the cost and efficient use of energy. This is a thought-provoking exercise that will teach students to think about sustainability and develop their understanding of mathematical modelling. In this activity students will investigate the topical issue of the cost and efficient use of energy. Using functional mathematics, they will recognise that published facts and figures are not necessarily accurate and that mathematical insight should be used to probe data. As an optional extension activity, students could quantify how energy is used for heating within a dwelling. The quantification could be in terms of units of energy and/or cost. They could then find comparable data for one or more dwellings of different design, for example of different sizes, of radically different design (e.g. flats vs. detached houses), or dwellings designed to be eco-friendly. They should analyse the differences in energy performance identified. This is a quick and simple activity that will take approximately 15 – 30 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Projector/Whiteboard 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. 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

**Use the BBC micro:bit programmable system to create a working prototype of a motion detector alarm. ** This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons. Schools are busy environments and it is easy for learner’s bags to be left unattended, taken by mistake or even stolen. Alarm systems using embedded electronics and programmable components can be developed to protect the property of learners during the school day. In this unit of learning, learners will research, program and develop a working school bag alarm system using the BBC micro:bit. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity, learners will develop their programmable system using the BBC micro:bit and the device’s inbuilt accelerometer to detect movement. 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

A closer look at the techniques used to scan brain tissue 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 An engaging starter activity making use of the short film ‘Mind Mapping’ (see related resources section below) and encouraging students to think about new technologies and how difficult it is to predict their future development and application. Students consider how engineers have created different and safe techniques of scanning brain tissue. 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 free activity sheet! 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