A dress-the-model activity to work out how many combinations of clothes are possible 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 maths and science. This resource focusses on a dress-the-model activity to determine the number of wearing combinations possible with a set number of clothing items. It allows pupils to take a practical approach to applying multiplication. This activity could be carried out as individuals or in pairs. Learners can create a table showcasing the various combinations to organise their findings effectively. They may be guided through this process using the Dress-the-Model table slide as an example. This approach encourages students to analyse and present their results in a structured manner, enhancing their understanding of the activity’s outcomes. The engineering context Understanding combinations is essential in engineering, enabling engineers to optimise the production process and achieve the best cost outcomes. Regarding bicycles, which consist of numerous parts, engineers carefully determine the optimal combination of these parts to minimise production expenses while maintaining high-quality standards. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to write and calculate statements for multiplication, they will be able to solve a contextual problem using multiplication, and they will be able to understand how to determine the number of wearing combinations possible using a dress-the-model activity. 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. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation

Using directions to guide pupils through a table maze. Clear instructions and correct vocabulary are important to ensure that the learners know how to complete the maze. This activity could be used as a starter or main activity to introduce geometry, position and direction. The engineering context When engineers program robots, they must be very clear in their instructions to avoid confusion. For example, the Mars Rover must follow very detailed instructions to help it move safely on the planet and send back pictures. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to follow a set of verbal instructions to navigate a maze successfully, they will be able to understand the importance of clear instructions when instructing others, and they will be able to use mathematical vocabulary to describe position, direction and movement. 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

Teaching fractions and measurement through filling beakers During this enjoyable KS1 activity, students will have the opportunity to experiment with working out fractions while enhancing their comprehension of capacity. Fractions are like puzzle pieces that help us understand how to divide things into equal parts. Using water and different sized beakers/containers, that are proportional to each other in size, to explore capacity and volume. By the end of this activity, students will be able to explore and work confidently with fractions. 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 maths and science. The engineering context Comprehending capacity and volume is crucial for engineers as they design containers for various liquids and materials. Whether it’s aircraft fuel tanks or a simple tube of toothpaste, knowing when they are half full or half empty is essential. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to describe and measure capacity and volume, and they will be able to understand that fractions, halves and quarters can be combined as part of a whole unit. Download the activities 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

In this fun science activity for kids, learners will be shown the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees, in terms of their foliage and changes across the seasons. The difference will be reinforced by comparison with behaviours relating to the wearing of clothing. This exercise could also include the creation of a ‘class tree’ where learners write their names on leaves and attach them to a paper representation of a tree on a noticeboard. This is one of a set 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 maths and science. This resource focuses on understanding the difference between different types of trees. This activity could be used as a main lesson activity. It could also be used as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on the use of science to understand the natural environment. This activity will take approximately 30 – 50 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Projector Noticeboard with ‘tree’ structure assembled from strips of brown sugar paper Paper for learner leaves Safety scissors (unless leaves are pre-cut) What is the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees? Deciduous trees lose their leaves in autumn. Evergreen trees, on the other hand, keep their needles (or pines) all year. Deciduous and evergreen are the terms used in the national curriculum, but some learners may find hardwood and softwood easier. Hardwoods come from deciduous trees and softwoods come from evergreen/coniferous trees. These terms are just types of wood and not the properties of the wood – hardwoods are not necessarily hard (balsa is soft enough that it can be marked using a thumbnail) and softwoods are not necessarily soft (parana pine is used to make wooden stairs). Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to state the differences between a deciduous and an evergreen tree and they will be able to describe how a deciduous tree changes with the seasons. Download the free The Difference Between Deciduous and Evergreen Trees 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

Using the effects of air pressure to defy gravity Gravity is defied in this super simple gravity-free water experiment. Children use the effects of air pressure to make it look as though there is zero gravity in an upside-down glass of water. Get your children to fill a glass with water, place a piece of card over it and turn it upside down. Discuss how gravity works, why gravity is important, and how the water stays in the glass. Gravity discovery is exciting and using a hands-on experiment with minimal equipment will make a gravity discovery lesson the highlight of their day. Tools/resources required Drinking glass Access to a sink and/or water Small pieces of thick card (preferably coated/shiny) to cover the glass This activity could be used as a starter or main activity to introduce the effects of gravity and air pressure, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on different types of forces. Use the content for gravity discovery and to think about why gravity is important, how gravity works and most importantly spark a life-long science interest with your class and children. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Examine water droplets by making rain We often complain about rain when it gets us wet, but do you know what causes it to fall? In this activity learners perform a fun yet simple experiment to investigate the water cycle. Spray shaving foam on top of a glass of water to create a ‘cloud’, add food colouring to represent water droplets, and watch as the cloud fills up, producing ‘rain’. Discuss findings as a class. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links This activity could be used as a starter or main activity to introduce the causes of rain, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focussing on seasonal changes and the weather. This is one of a set of resources developed to support the delivery of key topics within maths and science and the teaching of the primary national curriculum. Tools/resources required Drinking glasses Access to a sink and/or source of water Shaving foam Food colouring Pipettes Download 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 do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Using paper and a CD to create rainbow reflection patterns This activity could be used as a starter or main activity to introduce the concept of reflection, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on how light behaves. This is one of a set 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 maths and science. Activity overview In this activity learners will use a torch and a CD to create ‘rainbow’ reflection patterns on a piece of paper. They will learn about how light reflects off objects, the colours that make up white light and how these are separated when a torch is shone onto a CD. Working in the dark can be potentially dangerous, so ensure all risk assessments are in place and learners are not moving around the room whilst the lights are switched off. Learners should see different colours reflect off the CD and onto the paper to create a rainbow effect. They could move the torch around to create different patterns of colour. The white light from the torch is made up of seven different colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet). These are split into their separate colours by the CD and reflected onto the paper stuck to the wall, thus creating a rainbow effect! This is a quick and easy rainbow experiment that will take approximately 15-30 minutes. Tools/resources required A3 paper or thin card Torches Compact discs (CDs) Masking tape Access to room that can be made dark The engineering context An understanding of light and reflection are vital to the development of photography, lighting, and security equipment. For example, cameras, smart lighting systems, and alarm sensors. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will know that white light is made up of seven different colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet), they will have an understanding of how light reflects off objects and they will be able to use a torch, paper and CD to create rainbow reflection patterns. Download the Easy rainbow experiment activity sheets for free! 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

Making drums and earmuffs from different materials, to test the amount of noise they make and dampen In this engaging STEM activity learners will develop their knowledge and understanding of sound. They will learn how to make a homemade drum using different materials and test how each material affects the sound. They will learn how to make a homemade set of earmuffs using different materials and test how well each material dampens the sound. Musical instruments bring joy and entertainment to millions of people in the world every day, but do you know how they work? Let’s find out! This is one of a set 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 maths and science. This resource focuses on making a DIY drum and set of earmuffs, using different materials to investigate their effects on sounds. This activity could be carried out as individuals or in small groups, used as a main lesson activity to develop knowledge and understanding of how sound works, or as part of a wider scheme of learning focusing on sound and musical instruments. An optional extension could be for students to decorate the drum and earmuffs to personalise them and add visual appeal. This exercise will take approximately 70 – 90 minutes. Tools/resources required Container, bowl or bucket for the drum body Different materials for the drum skin, such as plastic bags, tissue paper, normal paper and assorted fabrics Drumsticks (pieces of wood or pencils could be used instead) Strips of card Scissors Different materials for the earmuffs, such as cotton wool, cardboard, foam or polystyrene PVA glue, glue sticks and/or sticky tape The engineering context Sound engineers try to ensure that music is recorded in a way that produces good results for the listener. It is extremely important that they understand how sound is both created and dampened, and which materials work well for this. An understanding of how sound is both created and dampened is vital to the development of products for the music industry. For example, musical instruments, earphones, speakers, and portable music players. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this fun STEM project students will be able to make a drum and test the amount of noise made and a set of earmuffs that test how well they dampen sound. Finally, they will be able to investigate the effects of different materials on sound. 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.

This fun science activity for kids will teach students how deciduous trees change across the seasons. Students will then have the opportunity to track and record how an individual tree changes over the period of a year. In this activity learners will be shown how a deciduous tree changes across the seasons, then either as a class or individually recording how an individual tree changes over the school year. This activity is inspired by Greek mythology. A dryad is a mythical Greek creature, often associated with forests. They are said to be female nymphs who inhabit trees or woods and protect them from harm. Dryads have been featured in many stories throughout history, and they often symbolize the beauty and power of nature. This activity could be introduced as part of a main lesson activity at the start of the new year. It could then be followed up on a weekly (or periodic) basis over the year, with learners building up a record of how the identified tree within the school grounds changes over time. This could be used either to create a diary, a logbook, or it could form the basis for a classroom display. This is a long-term activity which can run for the duration of the school year. Following an initial introduction, individual learners or table groupings could be responsible for completing the diary on a weekly basis. If carried out by individuals, different learners could be allocated the responsibility each week, progressing through the class register. An appropriate tree within the school grounds needs to be identified. Ideally a tree visible from the classroom would be used. As applicable by local requirements, risk assessments may need to be carried out if the learners need to go outside the school building to carry out this activity. For continuity it is advantageous to have a set position from which the picture or observations are made. Tools/resources required Projector Copies of the How do deciduous trees change handout Digital cameras (if required) with access to suitable printing facilities The engineering context Environmental engineers are tasked with improving the quality of the natural environment around them. The more they understand about this, the better they can do their jobs. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to describe how a deciduous tree changes with the seasons. 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

See how words change when reflected in a mirror We use mirrors everyday to see what we look like. Car drivers use them to see cars behind them, to help them drive and park safely. However, is the image we see the same as if we were to look from the direction of the mirror? Through this fun STEM activity, students will gain an understanding of how light reflects off mirrors. By utilising reverse writing, students will observe how words transform when reflected in a mirror. This exercise provides an opportunity for students to practice reverse writing and make notes. This resource is part of a series of free STEM resources developed to aid in teaching the primary national curriculum, specifically targeting key topics in maths and science. The focus of this activity is on the reflection of light off mirrors and other reflective surfaces, and the use of reverse writing to observe the phenomenon. This activity can be used as a starter or main activity to introduce light and build on experiences to explain how light travels. It can be carried out individually or in small groups. This activity demonstrates how light travels in straight lines. Students will first write their name and see it reflected in different directions, which will create learner discussion. Students will then place the mirror on the right-hand side of the paper, which will allow the writing to be read correctly. The teacher may wish to demonstrate the first steps, then allow the learners to reverse write with the mirror placed on the right-hand side. This will allow students to see their writing develop the correct way around. Note that when writing in reverse, learners must reverse the letters, not just put them in reverse order. When the learners are more confident reverse writing, they can be tasked with writing messages to their friends. Tools/resources required Small mirrors Paper The engineering context Engineers need to have a good understanding of how light travels and is reflected off surfaces. This is vital when engineers design rear-view mirrors for cars, periscopes for submarines and giant telescopes to look at the stars. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to understand what happens when light is reflected off a mirror and they will be able to reverse write and read it in a mirror. 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 how to describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials In this activity, participants evaluate several everyday products, identifying the properties they need and the materials that would be suitable to make form. What are the properties that products need to be able to fulfil their required function: hard, soft, strong, weak, flexible, bendy, recyclable? What are the reasons why specific types of materials are used to make products? Understanding this will sow the seeds for learners to become informed consumers. As a class, consider a range of materials and discuss what properties are typically important. For example: Which bag is best for carrying heavy shopping: plastic or fabric? Which bowl would be best for a baby: glass or plastic? Which chair would be best for the outdoors: cardboard or plastic? Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links 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 maths and science. This resource focuses on the evaluation of everyday products and what materials they are made from. Download the free activity sheets! 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 Several actual products that the learners can hold and discuss 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

Understanding fractions through a pizza cutter approach Fractions are an important concept in mathematics, and what better way to understand them than by slicing up a delicious pizza? Through hands-on exploration, you will discover that fractions are not just numbers on a page but a real-life concept we encounter daily. By dividing our pizza into slices, we will learn how to represent fractions visually and understand their relationship to the whole pizza. Activity This activity is one of a set of free STEM resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum and the delivery of key topics within maths and science. This fun maths game could be used as a starter or main activity to introduce fractions and can be developed further with other objects and a combination of halves and quarters. Students could complete this activity either as individual learners or as table groupings. It introduces learners to fractions, i.e. a half and a quarter. The presentation slides highlight the national curriculum requirements, with the learners being able to understand what a half and quarter are by dividing a recognised shape. Download our free, printable pizza fractions handout to begin. Actual pizzas could be used as an alternative to the handouts. Appropriate food hygiene and handling precautions would need to be applied. The engineering context Understanding fractions helps engineers solve many problems in a wide range of specialisms. For example, how to divide materials so people can carry equal loads. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to understand that a half and quarter are ‘fractions of’ a whole object, they will recognise, find and name a half as one of two equal parts of a unit, and they will recognise, find and name a quarter as one of four equal parts of a unit. They will understand that fractions, halves and quarters can be combined as part of a whole unit. 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

Using maths skills to calculate numbers The rules for the game and the selection of mathematical operations used can be adjusted to suit the level of the learners. The teacher should enter the five selected numbers in the white boxes of the spreadsheet. An appropriate result should be selected from the gold boxes. When the time is up, the teacher may want the learners to share their answers on a wipeable board or verbally as time allows. Activity introduction This resource is part of a collection developed to aid in teaching the primary national curriculum. These resources are specifically designed to facilitate the instruction of fundamental topics in mathematics and science. This resource focuses on solving number problems using a spreadsheet inspired by the Countdown numbers game. It can be employed as a complete lesson, as outlined in the activity sheet, or as an introductory activity in other mathematics lessons. This activity could be carried out with pupils working individually or in small groups. The spreadsheet associated with this activity should be open on the teacher’s laptop or tablet. Learners should not be able to see this. The engineering context Engineers must have a solid grasp of number combinations and operations when tackling various fascinating challenges. For instance, engineers designing bridges must perform calculations to ensure their structural integrity. In contrast, those responsible for circuit design in mobile phones must compute the values of individual components required for functionality. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to solve addition and subtraction multi-step problems in context, deciding which operations and methods to use and why. They will also be able to solve problems using multiplication and division. Download the activity sheets for free! 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

Learn how to count forwards and backwards by releasing balloon ‘rockets’ During this exercise, participants will practice counting backwards using different steps i.e., 1s, 2s, 3s, 5s, and 10s. This will equip them with the necessary skills to count to and from 100, both forwards and backwards, starting from zero or any given number. To increase engagement, students will release balloon ‘rockets’ at the conclusion of each countdown. This activity can be used as a main lesson activity, to teach learners how to count backwards using the prompts in the teacher presentation. This is an engaging and practical exercise that can be carried out as a whole class or in small groups. When using the presentation, you are prompted with which step to use for the countdown and with a starting number. As you click through the steps each number, in sequence, will be revealed and at zero the balloon will be launched. If some younger learners struggle with blowing up balloons, some could be inflated prior to the lesson and ‘tied-off’ using clips. As the balloons are released when the count reaches zero, the balloons should not be tied. If re-inflation is not possible within the time, a proportion of the balloons could be released each time – e.g., a certain colour or all the balloons from one table group. As an optional extension activity, the count downs could be started from 100 or another integer of the teacher’s choice. How long will this activity take? It is a quick and simple activity that will take approximately 25-35 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Whiteboards Whiteboard markers and erasers Pack of balloons Balloon pump The engineering context An understanding of number combinations and number operations is vital for engineers who need to solve lots of interesting problems. For example, electronic engineers use countdown timers to let motorists know when a traffic light will go from red to green and allow the motorist to drive off safely. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to count backwards from numbers up to 50 and they will be able to count backwards in steps of 1s, 2s, 3s, 5s, and 10s. 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 a number balance see-saw This engaging activity is designed for KS1 to enhance students’ addition and subtraction skills through a practical and engaging approach! Learners will use a model of a see-saw to balance a range of numbers. They will then decide how many items need to be added or subtracted to bring the see-saw into balance. By actively participating in this hands-on exercise, learners will gain a deeper understanding of addition and subtraction as they work to achieve equilibrium on the see-saw by carefully selecting and arranging various numbers. This activity could be used as a main lesson to teach learners how to make a model see-saw and solve number problems using the prompts in the presentation and carried out in pairs or small groups. To get started, download the activity sheet containing a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on building the see-saw. Additionally, we have included printable box templates for your convenience. Students can easily position these box templates onto the see-saw and then experiment by placing coins or marbles into the boxes, effectively achieving balance on the see-saw. The engineering context Engineers rely on problem-solving daily to find solutions to a wide array of issues. For instance, when an aerospace systems engineer is tasked with determining the amount of cargo that can be loaded onto a rocket bound for a space station, they will skilfully adjust the contents, either adding or removing items, to ensure that the cargo meets the precise weight requirement. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to solve one-step problems that involve addition and subtraction, and they will be able to make a see-saw model and solve practical balance number problems. Download for free! 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

Explore the engineering careers that are available today, the potential rewards of these careers, how engineering has shaped our society and how engineering could transform the world we live in in the future. Depending upon the option selected, you can also investigate the influence of famous engineers/technologists of the past and people working in Engineering today. Part of the #IETLookAtMeNow campaign exploring the different ways that toys and imagination can represent a world of possibilities and invention to children. For engineers and scientists, the possibilities and invention never end. They are proof that our toys and dreams today impact our innovations tomorrow.

Making cut-out 3D shapes and counting the number of edges, vertices and faces In this fun maths activity for Key Stage 2, learners will enhance their knowledge and comprehension of 3D shapes. They will cut out 2D nets for a cube, pyramid, cylinder, and octahedron, then fold them to form their corresponding 3D shapes. Through this process, they will also determine and count the number of edges, vertices, and faces on each shape. This activity can serve as a main lesson to develop an understanding of the characteristics of common 3D shapes. Alternatively, it can be integrated into a broader curriculum that focuses on the properties of 2D shapes, 3D shapes, and everyday objects. The engineering context Engineers must regularly use mathematics knowledge and skills as part of their everyday job. Therefore, they must have a good grasp of basic concepts, such as the properties of 3D shapes. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to make 3D shapes such as cubes, pyramids, cylinders and octahedrons from 2D nets, and they will understand the difference between the edges, vertices and faces of a 3D shape. They will know the number of edges, vertices and faces on a cube, pyramid, cylinder and octahedron. Download for activity sheets and templates for free! 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

Solving addition and subtraction problems to crack the safe code 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 maths and science. This resource focuses on solving addition- and subtraction-based numeracy problems to find the code that will open a safe door. Do you have the maths knowledge to ‘crack the code’ and open the safe? Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity, learners will solve three addition and subtraction problems. The answer to each problem will give two out of the six digits needed to crack the code to a safe. They will reinforce their addition and subtraction knowledge and apply this in a fun context. This activity could be used as a starter activity covering learning from the previous lesson, a plenary activity reinforcing learning that has just taken place, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on addition and subtraction. 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. Remember, the downloads are all 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

Measuring the circumference of tree trunks and working out their age. They will then repeat this process with other trees and share their findings as a group. This exercise could serve as a main lesson activity to teach learners how to gather data through measurement and apply their numerical skills in a practical context. It could also be incorporated into a larger curriculum that emphasises the use of maths and science to comprehend the natural world. This is one of a set 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 maths and science. This resource focuses on measuring the circumference of a tree trunk and using this information to calculate its age. Trees can be identified and measured in and around the school grounds as available. Appropriate safeguarding checks and risk assessments will need to be put in place by the teacher depending on where the measuring of the trees takes place. Taking the measurements may need two learners working as a pair or a group of three, one holding the end of the tape in place, the other wrapping around and taking the reading, optionally with a third recording the measurement. The measuring tape must be kept straight and level to give an accurate reading. This is a fun and practical exercise that will challenge learners’ maths and science skills and encourage them to think about the ways in which environmental engineers interact with the natural world. This activity will take approximately 40-60 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Access to an outside area with trees Measuring tape Clipboards Calculators The engineering context As part of their daily job, engineers are obligated to frequently apply their mathematical knowledge and skills. Hence, it is imperative that they possess a thorough understanding of fundamental concepts, including measurement taking and interpretation. Environmental engineers are responsible for enhancing the quality of the surrounding natural environment. Their job performance improves as they expand their comprehension of it. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to measure the circumference of a tree, they will be able to calculate the age of a tree using its circumference and they will be able to communicate measurements using appropriate SI units. 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

Using static electricity to make tissue paper cats ‘pounce’ onto a balloon This is one of a set 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 maths and science. This resource focuses on making tissue paper cats ‘pounce’ and stick to a balloon through the build-up of static electricity. This activity could be used as a main activity to introduce the concept of static electricity, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on electricity and its uses. Learners will first cut their tissue paper into small cat shapes. They could use different coloured tissue paper to make different coloured cats for more visual interest. Learners will then blow up and tie their balloons. The balloon should be blown up fully and tied so that no air can escape. If learners struggle to do this, the teacher could complete this step in advance. Alternatively, clips could be provided to seal the balloons. Learners will rub their balloon against their jumper several times to ‘charge’ it with static electricity. Following this, they can hold their balloon just above their tissue paper cat shapes. The cats should ‘pounce’ onto the balloon and stick to it. Why do you think the cats ‘pounce’ and stick to the balloon? How close does the balloon need to be for the cats to pounce? What is causing this to happen? This activity will take approximately 30-50 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Balloons Tissue paper Scissors The engineering context Engineers use knowledge of science concepts in their everyday work to ensure they produce solutions that are safe, functional and meet the needs of their clients. A good grasp of basic concepts, such as how electricity and static electricity works, is therefore very important. Electrical engineers use their knowledge of how electricity works to develop new electrical products and systems. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will have an understanding of the causes and effects of static electricity, they will understand how to use a balloon and a jumper to create static electricity and they will know that static electricity can be used to make paper stick to a balloon. Download the Static electricity experiment activity sheets for free! 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