In this lesson, learners will apply the lift equation to carry out a real-world aircraft design activity. This will support their understanding of: manipulating the subject of equations; using equations; interpreting data presented in tables and graphs. The resource is designed to support teaching of key engineering concepts at both key stage 3 and key stage 4, including the GCSE in Engineering. This resource focuses on the application of maths in engineering. This could be used as a one-off main lesson activity, as an introductory lesson to a wider unit of work focussing on aerodynamics or as part of a scheme on aircraft design using all of the resources developed in association with Arconic. Activity: Writing flowchart programs to meet a given design brief Students will firstly view our Flying by Numbers presentation to make sure that they understand the concept of lift and the lift equation. Using the information from within this presentation, they will change the subject of the formula to make wing area and velocity the focus, and then interpreting data using the tables and graphs that have been provided. Download our activity overview and presentation for a detailed lesson plan on how to write a flowchart program to meet a given design brief. What is the lift equation? The lift formula is as follows: L = d x v2 x s x CL / 2 Where: L = lift; for level flight this equals the weight of the aircraft d = density of the air. This changes with altitude – the higher you get, the ‘thinner’ (less dense) the air is v = velocity of the aircraft s = wing area of the aircraft CL = coefficient of lift. This is read from a graph Wing area: s = 2 L / (d x v2 x CL) Velocity: v = √(2L / (d x s x CL )) The engineering context This lift equation is used by aerospace designers to determine the necessary characteristics of an aircraft so that it can fly. Suggested learning outcomes This lesson will teach students how to manipulate the subject of a formula. They’ll be able to use a formula and interpret data in tables and graphs. Download our activity sheet and related 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 students’ and your schools’ needs. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Understand sustainability issues in engineering and how these are applied when designing a product The resources is 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

Design a throne for use by the new King which includes modern technologies During the coronation King Charles will sit on the throne. This is a ceremonial chair that is used by a monarch or ruler. Historically thrones have been very ornate, to emphasize the power of the person sitting in them. However, most thrones were produced before a lot of modern technologies were invented. This is one of a series of resources designed to allow learners to use the theme of the coronation of King Charles III to develop their knowledge and skills in Design & Technology. This resource focusses on the design of a coronation throne for the new King which incorporates modern technologies. The teacher will first explain that learners are going to design a coronation throne for the new King that incorporates modern technologies. Discuss the design brief and design criteria with the learners to make sure that students understand. This activity can be simplified (particularly for less able students) by specifying the technologies to be included into the throne, or by providing a feint template of a throne or chair that learners can draw over to create their design. Use the handout for learners to sketch their ideas for their new throne and make sure they annotate their design to ensure it meets the design criteria. As an extension students could incorporate multiple technologies into the design or consider other potential uses of the throne that they have designed. This activity is designed to fill one whole lesson and should take between 40-70 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Projector/whiteboard Sketching equipment A4/A3 paper The engineering context As new technologies emerge engineers investigate how the technologies can be adapted and incorporated into existing products. This can allow products to function in a different way or to achieve different uses. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this free resource students will be able to communicate design ideas using sketches, notes and annotations in order to design a coronation throne that incorporates modern technologies. 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.

Develop a prototype step counter into a commercially viable product This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons. Walking is an excellent form of exercise that most people can take part in. The average person walks 3000-4000 steps per day. The National Health Service in the UK has set a challenge for each person to walk 10,000 steps per day. This can be counted using a step counter or stepometer. In this unit of learning, learners will integrate a BBC micro:bit based programmable system into a complete and commercially viable step counter product, that will aid people taking part in this challenge. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity, learners will develop their prototype stepometer into a completed, commercially viable product. 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

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

In this design activity, students will produce a 3D model of a robot arm. It’s part of a series of activities that sees students designing and modelling the physical elements of a robot arm. This 3D modelling activity assumes that students have previously made a 2D model of a robot arm in the Build a robot arm activity (if they haven’t, they may benefit from trying the 2D modelling activity first!). 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 design and technology (DT) and science. Activity: Designing and modelling a 3D robot arm In this hands-on activity, students will be divided into small teams and tasked with taking inspiration from their previously completed 2D models of a robot arm to construct a 3D model. This arm will then have to lift three identical objects between a “start” and “end” location. The arms will be judged on how accurately the items are transferred, the lack of damage to the items being moved, and the time needed to complete the moves. Students will need consider factors such as grip, hand operation, item protection, and structural rigidity (i.e., how do they stop the arm from bending?). Teams will have the opportunity to test, improve, and refine their designs based on constructive feedback provided by the class. The engineering context Understanding how to design and build a robotic arm will introduce your students to key concepts in mechanical engineering and automation technology. Robot arms are used in a wide variety of industrial applications, ranging from loading machines to assembling cars, welding parts together and spray-painting products. They are also used in delicate applications such as bomb disposal and repairing space craft while in orbit. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of the lesson students will be able to design and build a 3D model. They will also have developed their creative and problem-solving skills, teamwork abilities and a practical understanding of the workings of robot arms. Download our activity sheet 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 and presentation below. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Research a form of transport that fulfils the needs of a community Try out this engaging STEM activity to learn all about the future of technology in the automotive industry! This exercise is suitable for KS3 and encourages the development of students’ research, communication and teamwork skills. Activity: What is the future of community transport? In this activity students will work in teams to research an existing or possible future form of community transport. They will mark their system against the agreed criteria from the starter and present their findings to the rest of the class. Students will be split into ten groups, so the full range of systems are researched. Allocate each team a different concept for community transport from the handout Tomorrow’s Choices. This handout contains ten existing and futuristic community transport systems. Each sheet contains a hyperlinked URL for further information and a table for them to mark the system against criteria. Students should write into the table the agreed criteria from the starter activity. Teams will then present their findings and provide a quick explanation as to how their transport works. As an optional extension, students could use the internet to research extra information on their transport systems. They could then use this information to produce a detailed presentation on how the transport system works. This could be a poster or a computer presentation. Teams will need access to the internet to complete this activity. If possible, put the handout on the shared system so teams can access them through their computer. This allows them to use the hyperlink to the website for research. They can type their answers into the grid directly or print out the sheet and write on them. This activity will take approximately 50 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Computers with internet access Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to use ICT to research an existing or possible future community transport and they will be able to use criteria to judge how well it fulfils social, environmental, and economic needs. 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

**This activity gets students to use their knowledge of electromagnetism in order to design and build a magnetic tool holder for a surgical robot. ** Students learn how simple scientific principles can be used in sophisticated applications, how electric circuits can be switched on and off, and the factors that can affect the strength of an electromagnet. Activity introduction Each group is a dedicated design team with a compelling mission – to craft a comprehensive outline design for a tool holder tailored to seamlessly integrate with a surgical robot’s arm. The task at hand: • Each surgical tool boasts a magnetic fitting, necessitating the utilisation of an electromagnet within the tool holder to ensure a secure grip. • A dynamic approach is required considering the diverse range of sizes and weights among these tools; This entails varying the electromagnet’s strength to account for this. Guided by these challenges, teams will brainstorm, innovate, and collaborate to present their inventive solutions in a concise one-minute presentation to the rest of the class and assessed according to the success criteria on the design brief. The engineering context Telemedicine employs contemporary communication technology to provide medical diagnoses and patient care, even when the physician and patient are geographically separate. Remote surgery entails utilising robotic systems within the operating room to aid surgeons during procedures. The surgeon observes the patient through a terminal and controls robotic surgical instruments using a specialised console. Suggested learning outcomes Upon completion of this activity, students will gain an understanding of the capabilities of surgical robots. They will grasp the transformation of basic scientific principles into intricate applications, comprehend the functioning of electric circuits’ activation and deactivation, and discern the variables impacting the strength of an electromagnet. 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

Make a fun craft project and use your maths to find out about structures with this quick and easy marshmallow igloo. Igloos are built out of blocks of ice or snow by Inuit people living in the Arctic regions of Canada and Greenland. They were used as temporary shelters when people were hunting. No need to worry, we won’t be expecting people to go into the Arctic and carve blocks of ice, this one is going to be made out of marshmallows – yum! You’ll only need a few simple items to make this project, and it can be an edible experiment too. The magic of maths is hands-on fun this Christmas! What you’ll need: • Bag of mini marshmallows or bag of marshmallows • If you are making the buttercream icing, you will also need • 70g softened butter • 150g icing sugar Activity sheets and notes for teachers can be downloaded for free. 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. Oh ho ho, and please do share your homemade igloos with us @IETeducation #SantaLovesSTEM

Secondary classroom poster where students can find out how designers use models to understand how their ideas will look and function. Download the single poster or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.

Secondary classroom poster where your students can discover the excitement of robotics and STEM with FIRST LEGO League. Download the single poster or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.

A graphics project that makes an Easter box diorama In this Easter engineering activity for secondary school students’, learners will use net templates to make card parts to allow them to assemble an Easter box diorama. This is a lesson plan for an engaging Easter box diorama project. This could be used as a main lesson activity, to teach learners how to use nets to make useable objects. It could also be used as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focussing on the use of maths to understand the use of nets. Alternatively, it can be used as a part of a wider group of resources that use the Easter theme to build knowledge and skills in Design and Technology. This graphics project is one of a series of free resources designed to allow learners to use Easter themes to develop their knowledge and skills in Design and Technology and Mathematics. This resources focusses on the making of Easter boxes using folded card. Nets are used for the box and egg designs. Nets are important as they allow 3D objects to be made when folded. Download the free activity sheet for more detailed instructions and for optional extension work. Also included is a fun bonus wordsearch with words used in the activity to enhance learning. This exercise will take approximately 50 – 80 minutes. Tools/resources required Projector/whiteboard Scissors Glue sticks Card Rulers The engineering context Understanding how nets are used is considered in the making of products and is an important part of the new GCSE courses in Design and Technology and Engineering. Engineers are required to use mathematics knowledge and skills regularly as part of their everyday job. It is therefore essential that they are able to use nets to allow them to make scale models of buildings and other structures. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this fun graphic design project students will know how nets are used to make Easter boxes. They will also be able to fold and glue parts together to make an Easter diorama box. 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.

Developing a new design for earphones and headphones In this activity, students will develop a new design for earphones and headphones using reverse engineering. The activity will also teach the importance of fitness for purpose when designing new products. It is essential that products used in our everyday lives are fit for purpose. In order to design a product which will be useful to the customer it is important to understand how different products function and why different materials and components are suitable for different applications. This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in design and technology (DT). It can be used as a starter activity to be followed by our Materials for design lesson. Activity: Developing a new design for earphones and headphones Students will answer a series of questions provided in our worksheet and focus on identifying the target audience for each of these designs, evaluating technology and style, and exploring the balance between form and function. They will also take part in a discussion that relates the design changes to societal and technological advancements and then use what they’ve learned to produce a design of their own, focusing on areas where they’d develop existing technology. The engineering context Engineers might reverse engineer a competitor’s product to understand its strengths, weaknesses, and how it compares to their own offerings. This can help them improve their own designs or develop innovative new features. Sometimes engineers will have to do this using just photographic or video evidence. For example, Ferrari and Mercedes F1 engineers might want to learn how a rival racing team like Red Bull have built their car but they will not be able to closely examine the car itself. They will have to rely on visual evidence for their reverse engineering analysis. It’s important to remember that there are ethical implications related to copying and intellectual property, and therefore reverse engineering should only be used for inspiration and to improve your existing understanding of a particular piece of technology. Suggested learning outcomes At the end of this lesson students will understand the construction and function of an engineered product or system for the purposes of reverse engineering. Download our activity sheet and related 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 documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation

In this activity, learners will design a new robot that could help people in the future. Programmable robotic systems are becoming an important part of industrial developments in design and technology. Robots are now being developed that can sense changes in their surroundings and respond accordingly. As such, this lesson asks students to explore how electronic and mechanical systems can be integrated to create functioning products like a robot. This lesson can be followed by Programming the robot buggy with the BBC micro:bit, where learners use the micro:bit to develop a robotic buggy that can successfully navigate a maze or path. These resources are part of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in computing and design & technology (D&T). Activity: Designing a new robot that could help people in the future Students will first look at existing robots that are used to help people in our Future Robots presentation and then brainstorm how robots could further assist people in the future. Learners are tasked with designing a robot that’s unique. Their robot must include both electronic (e.g., programmable circuit board) and mechanical (e.g., motors for movement) parts and they students must explain how these systems work together. They can use our Future Robot Design handout to draw their robots, adding notes explaining how the electronic and mechanical systems function. Students should use technical language and justify their design decisions (explaining input/output placement, materials, construction methods, etc.). Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan on how to design a robot. The engineering context Robotics is an ideal topic for teaching about programmable components and embedded intelligence in products. These are key parts of the programme of study for Design and Technology at key stage 3. It is also an ideal vehicle for using the BBC micro:bit in the classroom and developing the programming skills of learners. Suggested learning outcomes Students will be able to design a robot that can help people in the future. They’ll also improve their understanding of how electronic and mechanical systems can be integrated to create functioning products. Download our activity sheet and related 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 students’ and your schools’ needs. Download our classroom lesson plan and presentation for free. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

This activity makes students aware that when they watch TV, or use the phone, there is a huge expensive communications infrastructure that needs to be paid for and maintained. Living in a highly technological world, where access to information and entertainment is at our fingertips, the Inform and Entertain Me topic is a gateway to engage and introduce students to the principles and technology that form the basis for communication devices that are used in our everyday lives. 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 and design & technology (D&T). Activity: Learning about the infrastructure technology that keeps phones, computers and WiFi working This activity gives students an understanding of the technological infrastructure that lets mobile phones and other communication devices connect to one another. Students will first view our infrastructure presentation, which explains the various components needed for communication networks (e.g., cell towers, base stations, cables, etc.). They will then investigate online how mobile phone networks and other communications systems work. Students must create either a flow chart or a diagram that shows how these networks operate, explaining the key steps involved in the process. Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan on infrastructure. The engineering context We need a robust infrastructure network if we’re to connect people and businesses regardless of their location. Engineers must work to ensure fast and dependable data transmission for our TV, radio and internet signals – much of which drives the entertainment that we all enjoy. It also underpins communication and data transfer for much of our essential services besides giving us a comfortable standard of living. Suggested learning outcomes In this activity, students will learn about artificial and geostationary satellites and their uses. They’ll make decisions about the use of modern communications technology based on social, environmental, and economic factors. Download our activity sheet and related 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 students’ and your schools’ needs. Download our classroom lesson plan and presentation and please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

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.

Discuss safety issues in personal transport and analyse data to work out which form of personal transport is currently the least safe Personal transport is becoming safer as technological advancements are made and more and more safety features are designed. In this fun STEM activity students will consider what safety features are in use today. Students will first name some personal transport methods, including those they use. In pairs they can discuss any safety features of these methods, why they are important and then they will rank the transport systems in order of how safe they think they are. The ‘Safety statistics A’ handout includes a chart which shows the proportion of reported road casualties by road user type and severity in Great Britain in 2012. The students will then interpret the data and write down what it shows. They can then compare this to the ranking they did in the discussion earlier. The handout shows that car occupants and pedestrians are the most common types of road casualties. How do you think safety can by improved for car occupants and pedestrians? Ask the students to think about what safety measures already exist and then ask them to think about what features cars should have in the future. This engaging activity that is the perfect way for KS3 students to develop their critical thinking skills. How long will this activity take? Approximately 30-59 minutes to complete. The engineering context Car and road safety engineers are professionals who are responsible for designing and developing vehicles and road systems that are safe for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. They work on various aspects of vehicle and road safety, including crash testing, airbag seatbelt development, pedestrian protection, and traffic control systems. These engineers use their knowledge of physics, mechanics, and materials science to develop innovative solutions to improve vehicle and road safety. They also work closely with government agencies, automakers, and other organisations to develop and enforce safety regulations and standards. The work of car and road safety engineers is vital to ensuring the safety of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians on our roads. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to interpret data from a chart, discuss the importance of safety features in personal transport and identify car and road safety features. 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

Alert homeowners to the risk of flooding with your prototype In this free resource, learners will identify the design problems presented by flooding. They will then develop a working flood warning system using the BBC micro:bit. By engaging in this activity, students will gain valuable knowledge about computing and design principles while having fun at the same time. This could be used as a main lesson activity. It is an ideal exercise for learners to improve their understanding of basic electronics, develop programming skills, make use of programmable components, and embed intelligence into a product design. **Tools/resources required ** Projector/Whiteboard BBC micro:bit system and online programming software Internet (to access programming software) PCB development software Moisture sensors and LEDs Crocodile clips or other wiring options (to attach input and output devices) PCB or strip board to create homemade moisture sensors and/or potential divider circuits PCB production facilities (etch tank or CAM router) What is the BBC micro:bit? The BBC micro:bit is a great way to get kids interested in computing. It is a small, programmable computer that can be used to create a wide variety of activities and projects. It is a powerful teaching and learning tool that helps learners develop their own systems and learn the basics of coding. It is an ideal tool for introducing children to programming concepts in a fun and engaging way. The engineering context This is an ideal topic for teaching about programmable components and embedded intelligence in products. These are key parts of the 2014 programme of study for Design and Technology at KS3. It is also an ideal vehicle for using the BBC micro:bit in the classroom and developing the programming skills of learners. Suggested Learning Outcomes By the end of this activity students will understand a block systems diagram of the flood warning system and they will understand the use of a moisture sensor as an input sensor. They will also be able to design a moisture sensor and/or potential divider circuit. Lastly, they will be able to successfully program the BBC micro:bit so that the system meets the design criteria. 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. 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

Card game to consolidate understanding of electronic systems The role of smart sensors in our everyday lives is becoming increasingly fundamental. The Smart Sensor Communications topic focuses on what smart sensors are, how they are being used today and how they can be innovative in the future. Students are introduced to some recent developments in using smart sensors in control systems. Many of these uses are in health care and other high-tech applications. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity students learn the differences between smart sensors and ordinary sensors by studying some applications of smart sensors. They may also use a card game to consolidate their understanding of electronic systems. 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. You can stream and download the related films by clicking on the appropriate link in the related resources section. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

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