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Easy rainbow experiment
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
Pizza fractions
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
Materials and their properties
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
Market research on colour and mood
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.
Analyse energy consumption data
Use data on energy consumption to investigate how average values are calculated
This scheme of work is designed to enable students to explore the relevant issues of energy cost and efficiency. Learners will use functional mathematics to understand that published facts and figures may not always be accurate, and that mathematical insights are necessary to scrutinise data.
In this engaging activity for KS3, students will analyse data related to electricity consumption, with a focus on how average values are determined. Students will also evaluate the accuracy of published data sources and consider potential biases. This resource would work well as a main lesson in maths.
This activity uses data for England. Students in Wales, Scotland, or Ireland may wish to research data for their areas.
To begin the activity, prompt students to create a list of the various types of housing that individuals reside in. Which type of house is likely to require the most energy?
Provide students with the Resource Sheet handout, which displays typical yearly electricity bills for different housing types. Students should collaborate in groups of 2-4 to review and analyse the data, and answer the questions included on the resource sheet.
Students should be encouraged to reflect on the meaning of this data rather than just accepting it at face value – can they find raw figures and do the calculations to support the information shown?
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.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will understand that mathematics is used as a tool in a wide range of contexts, and they will be able to use mathematics to interpret the impact of energy costs on society.
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
What is energy efficiency?
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
Is remote surgery safe?
Identify the advantages and disadvantages of remote or robotic surgery
Telemedicine is a new and fast developing field in healthcare. Even 20 years ago the idea of a surgeon being able to operate a robot from hundreds of miles away in order to perform an operation seemed like science fiction.
Today, this is not only possible but engineers, working with scientists and doctors, are now designing robotic systems which will be able to operate on patients with no human intervention at all.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will explore the impact of modern technology on science, using telemedicine and robotics as a context.
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
Photovoltaic cells - Modifications
Investigate some potential modifications to your solar powered night-light circuit
The ‘Let there be light’ scheme of work involves investigating how photovoltaic cells are used and then using this technology to make a series of electronic circuits of increasing complexity. This could form the basis of a Design and Make Assignment (DMA) project in Design and Technology (D&T), with cross-curricular links with Science.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
An engaging activity in which students will investigate some potential modifications to the circuits they have designed and made in the ‘Let there be light 2’ activity.
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 below!
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
Design the casing for a flood warning system
Draw and annotate casing that meets a design brief and design criteria
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
Flooding is becoming increasingly common in parts of the United Kingdom and causes a lot of damage to peoples’ homes. The sooner a potential flood can be detected, the more time homeowners have to prepare and to save their property.
In this unit of learning, learners will identify the design problems presented by flooding. They will then develop a working flood warning system using the BBC micro:bit.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will design a suitable casing for their BBC micro:bit flood warning system.
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
Pedometer design
Discuss the design of a step counter from the perspective of the engineer and the customer
In this unit learners will integrate a BBC micro:bit based programmable system into a complete and commercially viable step counter product that will aid people aiming to walk a certain amount per day.
What is the BBC micro:bit?
This activity is one of a series of resources to support using the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
The BBC micro:bit is a compact, pocket-sized programmable device designed to introduce coding and digital creativity to young learners. Packed with sensors, buttons, and a LED display, the micro:bit enables hands-on exploration of coding concepts through its user-friendly interface.
Created as part of the BBC’s “Make It Digital” initiative, the micro:bit empowers students to bring their ideas to life by programming animations, games, and interactive projects. Its versatility and ease of use make it a valuable tool for teaching computational thinking and fostering innovation among beginners, encouraging them to engage with technology and develop essential digital skills.
The engineering context
This subject serves as an excellent focal point for instructing students about programmable components and the incorporation of embedded intelligence within products. These aspects align with the core elements outlined in the 2014 curriculum for Design and Technology at key stage 3.
Furthermore, it presents a valuable opportunity to leverage the BBC micro:bit within the classroom environment, enhancing learners’ product integration abilities.
Suggested learning outcomes
Upon completing this task, students will be able to analyse and deliberate upon current products from the standpoint of the product engineer and the customer. Additionally, they will comprehend the distinct roles of individuals engaged in the design and production processes.
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
Modifying the security system
Improve and develop your programmable system
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
Home security is increasingly important as homeowners look to ensure that their properties and possessions are protected from potential burglary. Alarm systems are being developed with increasingly complex embedded electronics and programmable components.
In this unit of learning, learners will research, program and develop a working door access and alarm system using the BBC micro:bit.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will improve and further develop their programmable system using the BBC micro:bit.
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
Social effects of health management
How could programmable systems be used to allow people to monitor their own health?
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in design and technology lessons.
There are many reasons to monitor heart rate. For example:
There are 2.7 million people in the UK currently suffering from heart problems. The quicker these problems can be found and treated the better the chance of a full recovery.
Athletes measure their heart rate during training to ensure that they are training in their optimum physical range.
In this unit, learners will use the BBC micro:bit to develop a prototype for a personal heart monitoring system.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will discuss the social effects of good and bad personal health management and the potential benefits that programmable systems can bring to this.
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
Design a home security system
Use the BBC micro:bit programmable system to create a working prototype
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
Home security is increasingly important as homeowners look to ensure that their properties and possessions are protected from potential burglary. Alarm systems are being developed with increasingly complex embedded electronics and programmable components.
In this unit of learning, learners will research, program and develop a working door access and alarm system using the BBC micro:bit.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will program a working door access and alarm system using the BBC micro:bit.
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
Design a personal heart monitoring system
Programme the system using the accelerometer and LED display
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
There are many reasons to monitor heart rate. For example:
There are 2.7 million people in the UK currently suffering from heart problems. The quicker these problems can be found and treated the better the chance of a full recovery.
Athletes measure their heart rate during training to ensure that they are training in their optimum physical range.
In this unit, learners will use the BBC micro:bit to develop a prototype for a personal heart monitoring system.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will develop their programmable system using the BBC micro:bit’s inbuilt accelerometer to detect motion created by the pumping of the heart.
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
Wearable technology
Integrate a heart monitor into an item of clothing
This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.
There are many reasons to monitor heart rate. For example:
There are 2.7 million people in the UK currently suffering from heart problems. The quicker these problems can be found and treated the better the chance of a full recovery.
Athletes measure their heart rate during training to ensure that they are training in their optimum physical range.
In this unit, learners will use the BBC micro:bit to develop a prototype for a personal heart monitoring system.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will design a fully integrated product. They will investigate and apply methods of attaching their device to a piece of clothing.
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
Which medical imaging technique? - Practical
Investigate aspects of biomedical signal processing
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.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this practical session students investigate aspects of signal processing. Working in teams, students convert an analogue brain signal into a digital format and transmit it across the classroom to another team using flashes from the LED on the Digital Communicator that they will need to build. The other team will record the digital format and rebuild the original waveform from that information.
This activity can be used as a hands-on extension to the ‘Which Imaging Technique?’ activity (see Related activities section below).
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 activity sheets for free!
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
Materials for a robotic arm
Investigate the properties of smart springs and see how they might be used as muscles in a robotic arm
This fun engineering activity encourages students to investigate prosthetic materials and the properties of smart springs and see how they could be used as muscles in a robotic arm.
This is a free resource aimed at secondary school students. This activity encourages students to investigate the properties of smart materials and carry out some data manipulation. Students will also explore the possible moral and ethical issues associated with people potentially choosing to replace healthy body parts with artificial prostheses because they offer higher performance.
This exercise should take around an hour to complete.
Resources required for class:
Several desk fans should be available but kept out of sight of the students until needed.
Resources required per team:
Wooden ‘arm’ as shown in the diagram on the handout below. These will need to be constructed in advance of the lesson. This could be done either by the science technician or by the students themselves as part of a joint project with design and technology.
1 to 1.5 mm diameter copper or other fairly flexible metal wire. Must be stripped of insulation
A smart spring made from a shape memory alloy such as nitinol
Power supply, leads, crocodile clips
Retort stand
Ammeter
Voltmeter
Sets of slot masses of various sizes
The engineering context
The development of new materials with incredible properties is changing the way we live. From LCD TVs to super light airliners, these materials have quickly found their way into the modern technology around us. One area where modern materials have made a huge impact is in the development of prosthetic devices. Some of these devices are beginning to outperform ‘natural’ body parts.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity learners will be able to explain why a material is chosen for a use based on its properties, they will be able to describe how smart materials are used in a real life context and they will be able to use and manipulate material-related data.
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
Renewable energy debate
Structured class debate on the location of a new wind farm
There is much debate about the issues created by carbon emissions and how renewable energy sources can help resolve these challenges. Most people agree that renewable energy is a good thing, but many oppose to having wind turbines built near their neighbourhood.
In this role-play activity, participants take on different roles to debate a proposed wind farm. In pairs, students discuss whether their character would be in favour of the proposed wind farm and prepare a two-minute talk to share their case with the group.
Afterwards, divide the larger groups into ‘for’ and ‘against’ and bring together all the individual statements to form a strong, coherent case. Four people are chosen to give two reasons to support their argument.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
This activity has been written with a strong science bias. However, it can easily be taught in design and technology with either a systems and control approach or from a ‘sustainability’ angle, looking at the topic of wind farms and the future of energy production. The ‘sustainability’ perspective will provide an activity that could involve design and technology, geography and citizenship.
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.
Please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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.
Which medical imaging technique?
Select a method of medical imaging most appropriate for a particular medical condition
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
This activity gets students to work in small teams to select a method of medical imaging which is appropriate to a particular medical condition. Students are provided with the medical records of eight patients. The different imaging techniques covered in this activity include: CAT, Gamma cameras, MRI, PET, Thermology, Ultrasound and X-rays.
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 activity sheets for free!
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
Materials for a prosthetic foot
Analyse data to find the best material for a prosthetic foot
The development of new materials is having a huge impact on all of our lives. This engineering activity for kids encourages students to look at a variety of materials and find out which would be the best for ankle and foot prosthetics. Different materials will perform in a variety of different ways, and it is through the analysis of the materials that students will be able to work out which would be the best for a prosthetic foot.
This fun STEM activity is designed as a main lesson exercise for secondary school students. Learners will carry out some data manipulation to find the best material from which to make a prosthetic foot. The activity offers strong opportunities for cross-curricular work with Mathematics.
The class will be split into teams. Students will work as teams of engineering materials consultants and have to find the best material from which to make a prosthetic foot.
Using the related handouts, which can be found below, students will plot graphs of stress against strain for seven different materials and calculate the gradient in order to find the stiffness for each material.
Based on this information, students should select which of the seven materials is the most suitable for the construction of the foot.
Students will present their recommendations to the rest of the class and the other teams will comment on their recommendations.
What you will need:
Graph paper
Pen/pencil
The engineering context
The development of new materials with incredible properties is changing the way we live. From LCD TVs to super light airliners, these materials have quickly found their way into pretty much all of the modern technology around us.
One area where modern materials have made a huge impact is in the development of prosthetic devices. Some of these devices are beginning to outperform ‘natural’ body parts.
The resources within this, and the related activities, encourage students to investigate the properties of smart materials and carry out some data manipulation. Students will also explore the possible moral and ethical issues associated with people potentially choosing to replace healthy body parts with artificial prostheses because they offer higher performance.
By the end of this activity students will be able to make the link between material properties and material usage. They will be able to understand how smart materials are used in a real life context and they will be able to use and manipulate material-related data.