![Hero image](https://www.tes.com/cdn/app-resource-store/5d51d34/img/hero.jpg)
520Uploads
200k+Views
107k+Downloads
All resources
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Repeated graphical patterns
Reading and interpreting wave patterns in a graph
Engineers sometimes have to analyse data which shows a repeating pattern. Plotting a graph of the data is often helpful as it shows a picture of the pattern. This pattern may sometimes go on and on in a sequence.
In this activity, students will learn about the concept of repeated graphical patterns. Inspired by wave patterns, this lesson plan will offer a practical way for students to learn about reading, interpreting graphs as well as sequences. It will explore the periodic nature of these wave patterns, identifying maximum and minimum values, and looking for symmetrical properties.
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 mathematics.
Activity: Interpreting wave patterns in a graph
Students will start by reading the slides and answering questions on the first slide in pairs or small groups. They’ll delve into the world of wave patterns, discussing points like maximum and minimum values, the frequency of the pattern repetition, and the location of symmetry. The second slide will challenge them further by asking them to predict the shape of the pattern at various points based on its period.
Download our activity overview and presentation for a detailed lesson plan for teaching students about how to interpreted wave patterns in a graph.
The engineering context
Many fields of engineering, such as signal processing, acoustics, and telecommunications, heavily rely on understanding wave patterns and their properties. By exploring these concepts in a fun and engaging way, students will see how engineers use mathematical concepts like these to create innovative solutions and products.
Suggested learning outcomes
Upon completion of this activity, students are expected to have a deeper understanding of reading and interpreting graphs, particularly wave patterns. They will learn how to identify maximum and minimum values, understand the concept of the period of a function, and recognise lines of symmetry. Furthermore, they’ll develop problem-solving skills as they use these concepts to predict sequences and future points in the pattern.
Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources 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.
Download our classroom lesson plan, presentation and handout.
Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Design a sustainable aircraft
Understand sustainability issues in engineering and how these are applied when designing a product
This is one of a set of resources produced in conjunction with the engineering company Arconic. The resources are designed to support teaching of key engineering concepts at both KS3 and KS4, including the new GCSE in Engineering. This resource focuses on designing a sustainably powered aircraft for the future.
In this activity, learners will design a sustainably powered aircraft of the future. They will learn about the alternatives to using petrochemicals to power aircrafts. It will build understanding of sustainability issues in engineering and how these are applied when designing a product. This activity will also encourage students to get creative as they design a sustainable, but aesthetically pleasing aircraft.
This could be used as a one-off main lesson activity, as part of a wider unit of work focusing on sources of energy and sustainability issues in engineering or as part of a scheme on aircraft design using the resources developed in association with Arconic.
It is intended that learners complete this activity as individuals.
Some prior understanding of sustainability issues and energy generation methods may be advantageous.
Tools/resources required
Projector/Whiteboard
Basic drawing equipment
CAD software (if producing final design using CAD)
The engineering context
Sustainable design and the use of finite and non-finite resources is required learning as part of both the new Design and Technology and Engineering 9-1 GCSE courses.
The knowledge gained can also be used when selecting sources of energy for future product and system designs.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will know that oil is a non-renewable, finite resource, they will be able to understand and apply sustainable alternatives to petrochemicals for powering aircraft and they will be able to communicate design ideas using sketches, notes and annotations.
Download the 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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Investigating problems faced by people in remote areas
Craft solutions for clean water and make a proto-type of an idea
What is a treadle pump and how does it work? This is one of a series of resources designed to support the delivery of DT at secondary, using Design & Technology and Engineering. Each resource covers a key topic from one or more of the specifications for these subjects. This resource focuses on the social problems and challenges faced by people living in remote parts of the world, and allows students to craft solutions to these issues.
Millions of people live in remote parts of the world. They face many challenges, such as limited access to electricity and difficulties in sourcing food and water.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, secondary learners will investigate some of the problems faced by people living in remote areas, and how they might be solved. It will build their knowledge of social issues and how this affects the design of products and systems.
The DT KS4 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 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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Methods of obtaining water
Design a treadle pump
This is one of a series of GCSE DT resources designed to support teachers to deliver high-quality, inspiring lessons. Each resource covers a key topic from one or more of the specifications for these subjects. This resource focuses on designing ideas to solve the problem of water supply faced by people living in remote villages.
One challenge that many people living in dry, remote areas face is the sourcing of water to irrigate crops and therefore grow food. A treadle pump can be used to make this much easier and far less time consuming.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
How does a water pump work? In this activity, learners will produce design ideas for a treadle pump that can raise water from wells. It will develop their ability to design products that meet a social need. It will also develop their skills in the drawing techniques used by designers and engineers to communicate their ideas.
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 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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Speedometer calibration
In this fun GCSE maths activity, students will delve into the exciting world of bicycle speedometers and put their accuracy to the test.
By conducting this experiment, learners will better understand how speedometers work and sharpen their mathematical and analytical skills.
Download the presentation below and allow the students to read the problem and contemplate how to model the situation mathematically. Some students may need assistance comprehending terms such as “front fork.”
Encourage them to ponder the meaning of “ms-1,” such as the number of meters the wheel covers in one second.
Furthermore, ask them to consider how they can determine the distance the wheel covers in a single rotation, two, or even 100 rotations.
Problem Solving
To solve this problem, the students will need to engage in logical thinking to determine the necessary information. One possible approach is to work backwards from the information required to answer the question (as shown below).
We need the distance travelled (m) and the time taken (s) to calculate the speed. Given that the time is 1 minute, equal to 60 seconds, the question becomes: How can we find the distance? The wheel covers 0.5π meters per rotation, so for n rotations, the distance will be 0.5π x n. Consequently, the speed in ms-1 can be expressed as (0.5π x n)/60.
The students can determine the percentage errors using this information and the speedometer readings. These errors vary slightly for each reading.
Discussion points
Examine how the students approached the problem, specifically analysing their thought processes. How did they determine the necessary information and identify ways to obtain it? You can review concepts such as calculating the circumference of a circle, working with percentages, rounding numbers, and ensuring precision.
Potential GCSE content
This activity will cover calculating the circumference of a circle from a radius, using compound measures (speed) and converting from minutes to seconds.
Download the activity sheets below!
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
FIRST LEGO League Explore poster
Primary classroom poster summarising the FIRST LEGO League Explore programme.
Download the single poster or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Bake a Yule log
Give making a Yule log a STEM twist by using key maths skills to work on the weighing and timing for this delicious Christmas dessert.
This is a great activity that brings together baking skills, mathematics and creativity, and tastes delicious!
The Yule Log is a traditional cake eaten at Christmas. It is thought that this cake originated in France to represent the wooden log that was burned to bring good luck through the winter months. It was hoped that by burning the log and keeping the ashes until the following year, it would ward off evil spirits during the long winter months.
Download the recipe and teaching notes for free.
Oh ho ho, and please do share your experiment highlights with us @IETeducation #SantaLovesSTEM
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Create stained glass you can eat!
Learn how to create colourful, edible stained glass and discover the science of light in this fun experiment for kids.
What ingredients will you need?
• 790g white, granulated sugar
• 475ml water
• 240ml light corn syrup
• ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
• Food colouring (red or green)
Download the free Edible stained glass activity sheet to learn the science behind this experiment!
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.
Don’t forget to take photos of your edible stained glass and share them with us @IETeducation
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Handmade recipe book activity
Design and make a recipe book of kids party food for a celebration
Make a recipe book with your class or child! DIY book binding is easy for kids and you can get creative to create a cookbook in 50-80 minutes.
This is one of a series of resources designed to allow learners to use the theme of celebration to develop their knowledge and skills in Design & Technology. This resource focuses on the designing and making of a recipe book for food items that could be served at a street party celebrating a special occasion.
In this activity, learners will design and make a recipe book of food items that could be served at a party. They will research ideas for recipes or create their own and present them in a book format. They will then bind their book together, ready to cook for the party!
**Download our free activity sheet to guide you through. **
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 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.
You can download our step-by-step instructions below as either a classroom lesson plan or PowerPoint presentation.
Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
KS2 times table cake challenge
Get children thinking about combinations and KS2 times tables with this visual and hands-on activity for primary aged children.
With a row of 24 cupcakes, what happens when every second cake has white icing and every third cake has a red smartie?
Our lesson plan is mapped to the UK curricula and has all the notes to hand to guide you through the 45 minute resource as a classroom activity or at home.
This activity in partnership with MEI could be used in Key Stage 2 as a stand-alone activity, as a focused task to develop problem solving skills, or as a consolidation task related to 3x,4x,8x multiplication facts.
Pupils develop both their problem-solving and reasoning skills. They will also practice their mental recall of the 3x, 4x and 8x multiplication tables without the standard ‘fill out the multiplication table’.
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 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.
You can download our step-by-step instructions below as either a classroom lesson plan or PowerPoint presentation.
Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Make your own diya for Diwali (secondary)
Making a ghee lamp to celebrate Diwali
A diya is an oil lamp that represents the triumph of light over dark, and good over evil. Diyas are traditionally made from clay or mud, with a cotton wick dipped in ghee to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights.
This resource focusses on making, decorating and safely using a diya. This could be used as a one-off main lesson activity to develop making skills with air drying clay. Alternatively, it could be used as a part of a wider scheme of work to develop designing and making skills in Design and Technology, and Art, or to build links with Religious Education.
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 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.
You can download our step-by-step instructions as either a classroom lesson plan or PowerPoint presentation
And don’t forget to share your learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETEducation
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Measure distance
Make a measuring wheel that measures distances
This activity for primary school kids involves making a measuring wheel for accurately measuring in metres and centimetres.
This activity combines maths and history and is inspired by the achievements of ancient Greece. It is thought that the inventor of the odometer may have been Archimedes, between 2200 and 2300 years ago. Resources are provided to support teachers in furthering their students’ maths abilities.
And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Using time to record
Measure the time taken to complete a task and plot results in a graph
In this activity, students will take part in their own Olympics, an event invented by the Greeks, whilst applying history, maths, and PE.
Students will record distances using a tape measure or an odometer to record the time taken to run different lengths. This activity will enable students to measure using different tools, record results and plot graphs. Resources for teachers are provided.
And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Make a water mill that generates electricity
Create a water mill to produce electricity and power an LED
In this exciting activity for primary students, kids will understand what is meant by, and the need for, renewable energy.
They will make and test a water mill that produces enough electricity to light an LED and learn how water wheels work. This engineering activity will show students how electricity can be generated using the power of moving water and teach students facts about how the ancient Greeks have affected modern life. Resources for teachers are provided.
And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Design a place setting for a party
Get ready for a street party celebration and introduce basic maths with this fun activity
In this engaging STEM activity, learners will design and make a place setting for a party or celebration. They will identify the items required, measure the space needed for themselves and the items, and use this information to design and make the place setting.
This challenge is perfect for 5–7-year-olds and could be used as a main lesson activity to teach about designing within a theme or practical applications of measurement. It could also be used as a part of a wider scheme of learning focusing on practical skills within graphics or graphic design.
Activity: Design a place setting for a party
This is one of a series of free resources designed to allow learners to use the theme of a celebration to develop their knowledge and skills in Design and Technology and Mathematics. This resource focuses on the designing and making of a place setting for a party to celebrate the event, so you can adapt to any celebration.
Students will use basic maths skills for KS1 to practice with a ruler as they work out how much space is needed to sit and dine together for a party banquet. This exercise will take approximately 80 – 120 minutes and can be carried out in school or at home.
Tools/resources required
Paper and card
Colouring pencils or pens
Scissors
Pencils and rulers
Glue sticks
Access to plates, cups and cutlery for measurement
Disposable cutlery, if available
Paper tablecloth (for extension activity)
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this STEM project students will be able to design from a brief, they will be able to measure dimensions and use these when designing and they will be able to create an attractive and fun place setting for a special party.
The engineering context
All designers and engineers need to be able to produce ideas related to certain themes and follow a design brief. This ensures that the products they design will meet the needs of the end users, customers or clients.
Download the free Design a place setting for a party 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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Make bunting for a party
Making flag bunting as a class to use during celebrations and parties
This is one of a series of free and printable resources designed to allow learners to use the theme of ‘celebration’ to develop their knowledge and skills in Design and Technology. This resource focuses on the designing and making of bunting to be put out at a party to celebrate an event.
Follow this easy and free bunting activity as you make potato prints with 4-11 year olds! Create flags with your class or at home and celebrate events in style.
This activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach about designing within a theme, printing with templates and/or teamworking skills. It could also be used as part of a wider scheme of learning, focusing on practical skills within graphics and graphic design.
Download the activity sheet for a step-by-step guide on how to make bunting for a party!
As an extension learners could try using different shapes other than a triangle.
This is a fun and simple activity that will take approximately 60 – 90 minutes.
Tools/resources required
Potatoes
Knives
Paint
Paper
Colouring pencils or pens
Scissors
Pencils and rulers
String
Stapler
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will be able to design a flag for bunting for a celebration. They will also be able to use potato printing techniques and they will be able to work as a team to assemble bunting from flags made by the whole class.
The engineering context
All designers and engineers need to be able to produce ideas related to certain themes and follow a design brief. This ensures that the products they design will meet the needs of the end users, customers or clients.
Download the free Make bunting for a party 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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Learn to count: Balloon rocket activity
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Solving maths problems (KS1)
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Tree trunk circumference
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
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Balloon speakers
In this simple STEM activity for kids learners will investigate how a balloon can be used as a simple speaker. They will blow up the balloon, tap it and listen to how to sounds travel through it. They will then discuss the outcome of their experiment and explain why the balloon speaker works in the way that it does.
This activity could be used as a starter activity to introduce the concept of sound and how it travels, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on sound.
Activity: Balloon speakers
This is one of a set of free 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 using a balloon as a simple speaker to amplify sound.
What happens when you tap the balloon? What can you hear and feel? Why do you think this is happening?
This is a quick and easy STEM activity that will take approximately 15 – 20 minutes.
The engineering context
Engineers must understand how speakers work in order to successfully design products that use them, such as phones, music players and TVs.
Sound engineers must understand how sound can be amplified and transmitted from one place to another. For example, at a concert. Understanding how speakers work is a very important part of this.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this exercise students will know that vibrations from sounds travel through a medium in the ear. They will also be able to use a balloon as a simple speaker and explain how it works. Lastly, they will understand how pushing air closely together affects the volume of sound travelling through it.
Download the Balloon speakers 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.
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