Learning about how wireless technology can used for personal health care In this activity students will discover how wireless electronic systems can be used to improve health care. This topic investigates the driving technology behind body centric communications. Students will explore current health applications of wireless health care devices and learn about the possibilities for the future as well as the ethical issues surrounding these advancements. 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 design and technology (DT) and science. Activity: Learning about how wireless technology can used for personal health care Students will firstly work through our Pacemaker case study, where they must explain why someone with a pacemaker needs to be cautious around certain sources of radiofrequency energy. They will then draw a labelled diagram of a heart, pacemaker, and connecting wire (BCA), with annotations explaining how the pacemaker helps with heart problems. Students will then review our Body Centric Antenna (BCA) case study where a BCA increases the speed at which data can be made available to health professionals. After reading the case study, students must produce then a short leaflet that explains the potential health benefits of BCAs. Download our activity overview for an introductory lesson plan on wearable healthcare technology for free! The engineering context Body centric communications have abundant applications in personal healthcare, smart homes, personal entertainment, identification systems, space exploration and the military. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will understand that an electronic decision-making system consists of an input, a processor, and an output. They will also know that changes in physical factors will result in an energy transfer in a transducer (i.e., a transducer can be used as a sensor). Finally, they will be introduced to some of the social uses of electronic systems in health care. Download our activity sheet and other 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 class’s and your schools’ needs. You can download our classroom lesson plan for free! Please do share your 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