Primary classroom poster showing useful rules to observe when using electricity both in and outside the home. Download the single poster or order a full set of posters from the IET Education website.

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

Model and construct 3 simple pulley systems, designed to lift loads Mechanical systems allow us to perform tasks that would otherwise be very difficult, such as pulley systems that lift objects that would otherwise be far too heavy to move. For example, cranes on building sites that move heavy materials. This KS4 maths resource focuses on the use and application of pulley systems. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links An engaging activity in which students will model and construct three different examples of pulley systems designed to lift loads. It will build knowledge and understanding of how pulley systems work and their practical uses. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Download the free activity sheet! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Role play about the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy As we rely so heavily on electrical energy in our lives, it’s crucial for students to understand the processes and implications of its generation. Our role play activity will engage the whole classroom through debate, where participants will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of generating electrical energy using nuclear fuel. This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3. It has been designed to support the delivery of key topics within engineering and design and technology (DT). Activity: Role play about the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy In this activity, learners learn about nuclear energy and then assume various roles to discuss and debate a proposal to construct a new nuclear power station in their local area. Learners will review how nuclear power is generated and then weigh its pros and cons. By executing a group role play, students will gain a deeper understanding of the topic. The activity concludes with class feedback, where learners justify their decisions, promoting reflective thinking. Download our activity overview and presentation for a detailed lesson plan for teaching students about nuclear energy. The engineering context Engineering is all about problem-solving and making informed decisions. By debating the construction of a new nuclear power station, students will get a glimpse into the challenges engineers face daily. This activity will inspire them to think like engineers, weighing the pros and cons before making decisions that impact society. Suggested learning outcomes This activity is designed to help students grasp how electrical energy is generated from nuclear fuel and comprehend both the benefits and drawbacks of this method. Furthermore, it encourages learners to apply their knowledge to real-world situations, enhancing their understanding of the issues surrounding electrical energy generation. Download our activity sheets for free! The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. You can download our classroom lesson plan and our PowerPoint presentation. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation

Primary classroom poster looking at how radio waves help us connect to our friends and families. Download the single poster here or order the full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.

A fun engineering challenge for KS3 that will give students the opportunity to test boat hull designs in a test tank. Through this process, students will learn about the importance of applying relevant scientific and mathematical understanding when refining and developing an idea. This activity allows students to explore and develop their critical thinking and decision-making skills through a practical approach. The experiment ensures a ‘fair’ set of results is produced. The success of their overall boat hull design is directly dependent upon how well they apply their knowledge and understanding across the disciplines. In addition, key learning points needs to be reinforced through mathematics. The students could carry out initial research into different hull shapes used for various types of boat, and they should produce an image board of hulls with annotations to explain why the shape of the hull is appropriate for the particular type of boat. Types of boat hulls that could be researched include yachts, cruise ships, speed boats, fishing boats, container ships, and catamarans. This activity is designed to be taught through science and design and technology simultaneously, as a cross-curricular project and ideal for use in a STEM Club. However, it can also be tackled independently from each subject. Tools/resources required Test Tank (the construction is a fairly simple activity and can be undertaken by your KS3 students (as an after school activity) or by a technician) Vacuum Former High Impact Polystyrene/MDF or softwood blocks Optionally, modelling clay General Workshop Facilities Stopwatch Masses with a suitable holder The engineering context The focus of this activity is on the principle of hydrodynamics (a similar set of principles to aerodynamics but involving water). Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to understand the importance of testing models and prototyping within the development of an idea, the need for streamlining in boat design and the principles of hydrodynamic design. Students will also be able to refine ideas in order to improve outcomes, they will be able to relate the shape of the hull to speed and the forces it needs to withstand maximum efficiency and they will be able to apply scientific and mathematical understanding to an engineering context. 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

Organise water filtration components to create a safe water supply system Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links This activity challenges students to work in small teams to design a water supply system for a small town of 5,000 inhabitants. They have to work within a budget, including giving themselves a profit margin. The activity offers strong opportunities for cross-curricular work with Enterprise. The ‘Catalogue of Components’ handout includes a list of possible parts from which students can include in their design of their filtration system. Water is crucial to human life, but it can also be a killer. Drinking or cooking water contaminated with micro-organisms or chemicals is a leading cause of disease and death across the world. Poor facilities for the disposal of sewage and other waste water can quickly lead to the spread of dangerous diseases. 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

Guess the device from a series of clues This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons. People are always looking for ways to save energy. It is estimated that the average UK homeowner could save up to £240 a year alone on the cost of lighting their home. In this unit of learning, learners will use the BBC micro:bit to develop a prototype for an LED based automatic home lighting system, designed to save energy. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links This is an engaging starter activity where learners will extend their understanding of input and output devices used in the system and consolidate their learning. They will be able to develop their knowledge of components and both test themselves and their peers. 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

This is a practical exercise in which students will utilise their mathematical knowledge to solve problems and apply formulas. Specifically, they will compute the length of pipes necessary for an underfloor heating system. They will also write a brief explanation of how a sustainable underfloor heating system operates. This can be effectively taught within mathematics or within design and technology, as part of resistant materials or product design. How long will this activity take? This activity will take approximately 60-90 minutes to complete Tools/resources required Green School film Projector/Whiteboard Measuring equipment e.g. tape measures or trundle wheels Squared paper The engineering context Sustainability is a key consideration in modern engineering practices. As the world faces pressing environmental challenges such as climate change and resource depletion, engineers must design solutions that not only meet the needs of society, but also minimise their impact on the planet. Sustainable engineering involves developing systems, products and processes that are socially, economically, and environmentally responsible. This can include reducing carbon emissions, optimising energy use, minimising waste, conserving natural resources, and designing products that can be recycled or repurposed at the end of their lifecycle. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to describe the operation of a sustainable underfloor heating system and they will be able to create and apply mathematical formulae in a practical context. Download the free Maths Behind a Heating System 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

In this activity pupils will assemble a simple electric circuit. This is a great way for KS2 students to develop an understanding of how electric circuits function. This free resource could be used in KS2 as an engaging stand-alone activity to introduce circuits, as an introduction to a design and make project (such as the doorbell activity) or as an extension to add a powered element to another design and make activity (such as adding a motor to the ‘cardboard cars’ activity). This activity will take approximately 50-60 minutes. Tools/resources required Projector/Whiteboard Components: 2 x AA batteries in holder Electric motor (e.g. 3V 13100 Rpm DC Motor) 3 lengths of wire, each 100-150 mm long (only a single length is required if a battery holder with attached wires is used) Either: 2 metal split pin fasteners and 1 paper clip per pupil, or one switch per pupil Sticky tape or electrical insulation tape. If needed: wire cutters/strippers (to cut excess wire lengths) (Potential sources for these components include Rapid online and TTS group) Optional: Hole punches (ideally single hole punches) Pre-made models of the circuit, for demonstration Electrical circuits An electrical circuit is a group of components that are connected together, typically using wires. The wires are typically copper metal, which is highly conductive, coated with insulating plastic, to prevent electric shocks. The circuit must be continuous (i.e., have no breaks) to allow electricity to flow through the components and back to its source, such as a battery. Switches make a gap in the circuit to stop electricity flowing when they are open. The components included in an electric circuit could range from motors, light sources and buzzers to programmable integrated circuits. The engineering context Circuits form the basis of all electrical equipment, ranging from lighting in homes to televisions and computers. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to construct an electrical switch, they will understand that a complete circuit is required for electricity to flow and they will be able to construct an electrical circuit. Download the free How to make a simple electrical circuit activity sheet! 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

Primary classroom poster taking a closer look at the materials used to make each part of a tent and how these ensure the tent can function effectively. Download single poster here or order the full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.

Secondary classroom poster exploring nanotechnology in everyday life. Download the single poster or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.

Identifying the ways in which water can be hazardous to human health This activity focuses on the link between water and health. It encourages students to think about the role of engineers in providing us with healthy water supplies and waste-water disposal systems by exploring the different ways in which water can be hazardous (and even fatal) to human health. It’s one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in science. The lesson can be accompanied by the Water pollution and Spreading disease activities. **Activity: Identifying the ways in which water can be hazardous to human **health This activity gives students a quick, engaging introduction to the very real dangers of unclean water. It begins with students viewing our DHMO hazard statement presentation, which playfully lists various dangerous properties of…water! Once students realise that DHMO is simply water, they will view our Safe Drinking Water video which reinforces the very real dangers of water. Students then work in groups to analyse different ways water poses a risk to human health, and the class compiles a list of these hazards for further discussion. Students can also complete our World water quiz worksheet. Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan on the dangers of unclean water. The engineering context Engineers play a vital role in making sure that our water is safe to drink. Water is crucial to human life, but it can also be a killer. Drinking or cooking water contaminated with micro-organisms or chemicals is a leading cause of disease and death across the world. Poor facilities for the disposal of sewage and other waste water can quickly lead to the spread of dangerous diseases. Lack of efficient drainage systems and flood defences can lead to catastrophic flooding, as has been seen in several different areas of the world in the past few years. Suggested learning outcomes Once this lesson is complete students will understand that unclean water is the world’s number one killer. They’ll be able to explain that clean water supplies and effective methods of waste-water disposal are essential for human health as well as be able to state the chemical properties of water. 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 (including video clips!), and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. Download our classroom lesson plan and presentation below. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Analyse an existing personal alarm system This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons. Schools are busy environments and it is easy for learner’s bags to be left unattended, taken by mistake or even stolen. Alarm systems using embedded electronics and programmable components can be developed to protect the property of learners during the school day. In this unit of learning, learners will research, program and develop a working school bag alarm system using the BBC micro:bit. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity, learners will carry out an analysis of an existing, commercially available personal alarm 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 free activity sheet! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Understand the importance of clear instructions when developing a program In this starter activity, students are introduced to what is meant by a program through our fun maze route activity. For the purposes of this activity a program is a set of step-by-step instructions that must be followed. Learners will therefore be asked to create a set of instructions that will solve a problem. 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). Activity: Understanding the importance of clear instructions when developing a program In this activity students will complete a practical activity that will help them to understand what programme is. Learners will get into pairs and, with one person having to navigate their (blindfolded) partner through a simple maze by giving them verbal instructions. After this activity, there will be a class discussion on the importance of clear and concise instructions. Students will then reflect on what a programmable system is (i.e., a set of instructions) and discuss how this links to the activity that they’ve just completed. Download our activity overview for an introductory lesson on programmes for free! The engineering context Programming is an essential skill in the 21st century world. From mobile phones and tablet computers to large passenger aircrafts, our everyday lives are shaped by systems that have been programmed. These systems keep us safe, get us to work/school or allow us to communicate with our friends and family. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this lesson students will learn that a program is simply a set of step-by-step instructions. They will also understand the importance clear instructions when developing a program. 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

Design and make a Chinese dragon mask. In this activity learners will use the theme of Chinese New Year to produce a Chinese dragon mask. They will investigate the importance of colour and the dragon to Chinese culture and use this information in their products. They will make two masks, one using an existing template, and another from their own design. Dragons play an important role in Chinese culture, such as the zodiac, dragon dances, art and the dragon boat festival. The dragon is considered to bring good fortune, harvest and prosperity. Download the activity sheets for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download and are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. Tools/resources required Scissors Pencils Coloured pens Glue and sticky tape The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. And please do share your learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETeducation

Explore the different technologies that engineers have developed to scan the brain 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 encourages students to think about new technologies and how difficult it is to predict their future development and application. The handout ‘Reading minds’ is an introduction on how the engineering field of biomedical signal processing is helping doctors understand the brain and treat patients. 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. The ‘Mind Scanner’ challenge is an extension activity that allows students to do a bit of future gazing. The challenge looks at how future compact mind scanner technology could be used and by whom - considering both ethical and economic issues. Download the free activity sheet! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Understand the relationship between energy transferred, power and time This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons. Reducing energy usage in the home saves money, increases energy security and reduces the need to burn unsustainable fossil fuels. The first step in doing this is monitoring how much energy is used each day. In this unit of learning, learners will use the BBC micro:bit to develop a prototype for a home energy usage monitoring system that will inform people how long they leave their lights and/or heating on during the day. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity, learners will calculate the amount of electrical energy used by one or more of their appliances in the home. 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 free activity sheet! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

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 and produce a 2D card model of the physical elements of a robot arm as an example. This curriculum-linked activity teaches the foundation of a wide variety of real-world industrial applications, ranging from loading machines to assembling cars, welding parts together and spray-painting products. Robot arms are also used in applications such as bomb disposal and repairing spacecraft as they orbit the earth. 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 Tools/resources required For each participating team: 1 A4 cardboard or MDF baseboard 2 A4 pieces of thick card 1 pair of scissors/craft knife 5 brass fasteners/brads/split pins 5 thumb tacks 3 paper clips 2 m length of string or fishing line 2 rubber bands 2 m length of sticky tape or masking tape 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.