Explore the properties of solids, liquids and gases In this unit, students will develop their understanding of the properties of the three states of matter. They will have the opportunity to experiment with a range of different substances that do not fit neatly into the traditional states of matter model. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links An engaging activity where students will explore materials to develop an understanding of why they behave the way they do. 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

Write a set of rules for governing the behaviour of a robot swarm used in search and rescue operations The use of different types of signals is hugely important in all areas of healthcare. Signal processing engineers are involved in everything from extracting information from the body’s own electrical and chemical signals to using wireless signals to allow search-and-rescue robot swarms to communicate with each other. Together with related activities, this resource allows students to investigate the wide range of sophisticated imaging technology available in modern hospitals, and to explore the latest ideas in search-and-rescue robotics. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links This activity gets students to work in small teams to create a set of simple rules which can be used to control a robot swarm designed to help in search-and-rescue-type scenarios such as earthquakes. The ‘Robot Swarms’ student brief sets the scene. 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.

Explore the risks associated with exposure to microwaves 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. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links This engaging activity allows students to explore the hazards and risks associated with exposure to microwaves. A microwave monitor is used to measure the microwave radiation from a microwave oven and a working mobile phone at a range of distances. 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

Investigate the potential effects of mobile phones on our health The ‘Time for a game’ scheme of work provides an electronics systems context for students to explore infrared technologies. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links An engaging activity in which students will investigate the potential effects to health of the use of mobile phones and their transmitters, which use radio waves and microwaves to transmit information. 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

A closer look at the techniques used to scan brain tissue 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 An engaging starter activity making use of the short film ‘Mind Mapping’ (see related resources section below) and encouraging students to think about new technologies and how difficult it is to predict their future development and application. Students consider how engineers have created different and safe techniques of scanning brain tissue. 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 (including film clips!) are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Design a sporting outfit that is fit for purpose This unit focuses upon how materials have been specifically engineered in order to provide the requisite qualities and characteristics. It builds on the ‘science behind the material’ scheme of work, developing the students’ understanding of particle states and motion in relation to materials used in engineering/product design. It allows the students to explore a range of engineered and smart materials, identifying why they are ‘fit for purpose’ and how they have been engineered to achieve this purpose. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links An engaging activity where students will design an outfit that could be worn whilst participating in a sport. With a strong emphasis on developing creative thinking when generating ideas, this activity requires students to be creative when applying knowledge and understanding in science to a design and technology context. 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

Promoting a product to a particular target user group This marketing lesson revolves around designing, branding, and marketing a new Nintendo Wii product. Students will be tasked with promoting a product to a particular user group, honing in on teamwork, creativity, and entrepreneurial skills. Make your pitch’ will provide students with an opportunity to explore and understand their chosen user group in detail through the analysis of a series of audio pitches. 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: Promoting a product to a particular target user group The activity consists of defining what a pitch is and analysing three radio adverts (pitches) attached in the Audio Radio Pitch (Presentation). The class will identify the unique selling point of the product, the specific user group targeted, and whether they believe the advert is successful, giving reasons for their opinion. Before proceeding to slide 3 of presentation, students will be asked, “What makes an effective pitch?” They will compile a list based on their evaluations of the three radio audio clips. Slide 2 will then be shown for comparison. The engineering context From designing a new video game console or inventing an innovative piece of tech, this activity will show students how understanding user needs and preferences is crucial in creating products that people want to buy. This lesson will also highlight the importance of effective communication in the form of product pitches. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this lesson, students should be able to explain why it is crucial to understand what a user wants when designing and marketing a product. They should also be able to define what a ‘pitch’ is and design a ‘pitch’ aimed at a specific user group or client. This understanding will empower them not only to create effective marketing strategies but also to appreciate the importance of user-focused design in product development. 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 (including the video), and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your class’s and your schools’ needs. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Design and make a solar powered night-light circuit In this engaging and practical STEM activity, designed for secondary school students, learners will investigate the photovoltaic effect by designing and making a solar power night-light circuit. The ‘Photovoltaic cells’ scheme of work involves investigating how photovoltaic cells are used and then using this technology to make a series of electronic circuits of increasing complexity. This could form the basis of a design and make activity in Design and Technology, with cross-curricular links with Science. This could be used as a short design and make project in Electronics or Product Design within Design and Technology. It could be extended into a longer project using the ‘Design Guide (handout)’ to provide a structure for the sequence of tasks to be carried out. Students should be divided into pairs or small teams. Their design brief is to design and manufacture a prototype solar powered night-light. The prototype should be powered by solar energy, produce no waste by-product with normal use, provide an appropriate illumination for a task (to be identified), illuminate automatically when the light level drops (below an identified level) and it should be manufactured from reused materials, where possible. Tools/resources required Access to appropriate CAD software for circuit modelling and development Modular electronics kits or prototype boards (breadboards), as appropriate Transistor sensor circuit help (handout) Design Guide (handout) A range of components to manufacture the circuits Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will have an understanding of how photovoltaic cells work, how they can be used and the impact of using photovoltaic cells in aesthetic, economic, and environmental issues. 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 solar panel STEM project, students will investigate the photovoltaic effect by manufacturing a simple circuit and integrating it into a product, in this case a version of the popular jitterbug project. The jitterbug is a device that moves due to vibrations caused by an off-centred mass on a motor’s driveshaft, can be powered by sunlight when connected to a photovoltaic (PV) cell. Learners will gain insight into the works of sustainable technology by learning about photovoltaic cells (these solar-powered cells are a primary component in renewable energy solutions). This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the class teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3. It is part of the ‘Let there be light’ scheme of work, which involves investigating how photovoltaic cells are used and then using this technology to make a series of electronic circuits of increasing complexity. This could form the basis of a Design and Make Assignment (DMA) project in design and technology (DT), with cross-curricular links with Science. The engineering context Understanding how to build a simple circuit is one of the fundamental skills in engineering. It provides the basis for understanding electricity and electronics, which are integral to many areas of engineering - from electrical and electronic engineering to computer engineering and even mechanical and civil engineering. Furthermore, photovoltaic cells, or solar cells, convert sunlight directly into electricity. This technology plays a key role in renewable energy solutions, which are becoming increasingly important due to the global push towards sustainable living. Understanding how photovoltaic cells work gives students insights into this technology, preparing them for future innovations in the field. Suggested learning outcomes Upon completion of this lesson, students should have a comprehensive understanding of how photovoltaic cells work and how they can be integrated into a circuit. They will gain hands-on experience in manufacturing a simple circuit and integrating it into a product. This activity not only deepens their understanding of the photovoltaic effect but also exposes them to the practical side of electronics and product design. 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 (including the video), and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your class’s and your schools’ needs. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Learn how photovoltaic cells work and investigate the photovoltaic effect In this engaging STEM activity, designed for secondary school students, learners will discover how photovoltaic cells work, how they differ from solar thermal cells, and they will investigate the photovoltaic effect. The ‘Photovoltaic cells’ scheme of work involves investigating how photovoltaic cells are used and then using this technology to make a series of electronic circuits of increasing complexity. This could form the basis of a design and make activity in Design and Technology, with cross-curricular links with Science. This is a short activity which involves investigating the photovoltaic effect. It could be used as a starter activity in Electronics or Product Design within Design and Technology, or to provide students with extended background information during the design and make project. It could also be used as a starter in Science. Students will be given the ‘What is a photovoltaic cell’ handout. They should consider the following questions: How do photovoltaic cells differ from solar thermal cells? What commonly available products use photovoltaic cells? What are the advantages and disadvantages of photovoltaic cells? What factors would affect the positioning of a photovoltaic cell? Tools/resources required Internet access Ideally, small operational models of solar thermal and photovoltaic cells that the students can handle Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to list the two types of solar panel and give examples of how they are used, and they will be able to explain how photovoltaic cells work. 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

Investigate some potential modifications to your solar powered night-light circuit The ‘Let there be light’ scheme of work involves investigating how photovoltaic cells are used and then using this technology to make a series of electronic circuits of increasing complexity. This could form the basis of a Design and Make Assignment (DMA) project in Design and Technology (D&T), with cross-curricular links with Science. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links An engaging activity in which students will investigate some potential modifications to the circuits they have designed and made in the ‘Let there be light 2’ activity. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Download the free activity sheet below! All activity sheets and supporting resources (including film clips!) are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

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.

Identify the advantages and disadvantages of remote or robotic surgery Telemedicine is a new and fast developing field in healthcare. Even 20 years ago the idea of a surgeon being able to operate a robot from hundreds of miles away in order to perform an operation seemed like science fiction. Today, this is not only possible but engineers, working with scientists and doctors, are now designing robotic systems which will be able to operate on patients with no human intervention at all. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity, learners will explore the impact of modern technology on science, using telemedicine and robotics as a context. The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Download the activity sheets for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Explore energy transfer and energy efficiency using wind turbines The concept of energy transfer is brought to life in this activity, showing students how the kinetic energy of wind can be harnessed to power homes and businesses. Windmills and wind turbines are based upon the principle of trying to create a shape where air flow causes the maximum possible change in kinetic energy. The hands-on nature of this task, which involves modifying a basic wind turbine to generate electricity, will appeal to students’ curiosity and creativity. This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3. It has been designed to support the delivery of key topics within science and design and technology (DT). Tools/resources needed Electric fans Turbines at 5 angles (Most blades can be bought as kits, or partial kits can be purchased where students can build their own blades) Wires Rulers Crocodile clips Voltmeter Ammeter or multimeter Model Generator Activity: Explore energy transfer and energy efficiency using wind turbines This activity gives students the opportunity to explore how the energy efficiency of turbines is directly affected by their design (shape and angle, which can be determined through the study of aerodynamics). The engineering context This activity provides a real-world context, introducing students to the principles of aerodynamics and energy efficiency in engineering design. As they explore how the shape and angle of turbine blades affect energy conversion, they’re learning vital principles relevant to fields such as renewable energy engineering, mechanical engineering, and environmental engineering. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students should be able to describe how energy is transferred using turbines and explain the importance of efficiency in devices. They will have designed an investigation to determine the relationship between efficiency and turbine design (shape and angle). Students will also have developed critical thinking skills as they control variables and analyse results to improve accuracy. In addition, they’ll gain a broader understanding of renewable energy resources, highlighting the need to develop alternative ways to generate electricity. 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.

Choosing materials for a new design It is essential that products used in our everyday lives are fit for purpose. 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. With this in mind, students will dismantle an engineering product to help them better understand its construction and function. They will then use this experience to create a test that will help in choosing which materials are fit for purpose when designing a new product. 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). The lesson accompanies our Reverse engineering activity, which should ideally be completed before this lesson. Activity: Choosing materials for a new design In this activity students will be given a pair of headphones to dismantle (this must be done carefully, as the headphones will need reassembling afterwards!). Using our Product investigation booklet, students will conduct a product analysis to investigate its construction. They will be asked to create a test that will help manufactures determine if different materials are fit for purpose to aid choosing materials for new designs. The engineering context Engineers may choose to review older products, or competitor products, in order to help them choose materials for certain design or engineering projects. These materials may be the same as what has already been used in what they’ve examined, or the examination may lead them towards producing superior materials. Suggested learning outcomes At the end of this lesson students will be able to effectively dismantle and investigate an engineered product to determine how it was made along with its function/purpose. 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 below. Please do share your 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

Using the casting process to make a batch of a product In this activity students will use the casting process to create a small batch of identical products. The lesson is part of a series of resources designed to challenge students by requiring them to apply the knowledge and understanding of engineering materials through a ‘batch’ production experience. It followed on from our CAD design project . Also included in the series are Engineering design processes and Investigating cast products. It’s one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in engineering and design and technology (D&T). Activity: Using the casting process to make a batch of a product In this activity, students will use a prepared mould to create a small batch of identical products through a casting process. Students will mix the casting material (like plaster of Paris), pour it into the moulds, and allow the products to dry. Once complete, they will then carefully remove the products from the moulds. Students will need to record the dimensions of each product to identify any variations and explain why these might have occurred… Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan on batch production. The engineering context Casting is a commonly used by engineers as a form of batch production, which is way of manufacturing many different forms of goods in an efficient way on a large-scale offering benefit such as mass production and quality control. Suggested learning outcomes This lesson will teach students how to carry out a basic batch manufacture of a cast product. At the end of the activity, students will be able to describe the advantages of batch production. 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 students’ and your schools’ needs. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Producing a CAD drawing of a design idea This activity involves using CAD to design a modular product that could be made in batches using the casting process. Students will be tasked with creating a mould that could be used to make this product. The aim of this activity is to design a shape that can be tessellated, have a practical application, and would look aesthetically pleasing as a modular set of products that can lock together. This project is part of a series of resources designed to challenge the students by requiring them to apply the knowledge and understanding of engineering materials through a ‘batch’ production experience. This activity should be followed by Investigating batch production . Also included in the series are Engineering design processes and Investigating cast products. It’s one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in engineering and design and technology (D&T). Activity: Producing a CAD drawing of a design idea In this activity students will design a modular product that could be made in batches using the casting process and create a mould that could be used to make this product. Students will be asked to design a set of identical products that interlock (are modular). The products must be suitable for batch production made by casting and be made from PoP (plaster of Paris). They’ll need to produce sketches of some design ideas and then choose one for modelling using CAD software. Students will next create a card model to test the interlocking feature and aesthetics of their design. After this they can make any necessary adjustments to their CAD drawing, and use use CAD/CAM to create an MDF mould. The engineering context Engineers will use CAD design as part of the process of making products. Items that have been designed this way are also ideal for batch production as they can be easily replicated. This links to industrial practices such as quality control, standardisation, and casting manufacture. Suggested learning outcomes This activity will teach students to analyse a design brief as well as generate ideas for a tessellated product that is suitable for batch manufacture. Students will also learn how to produce a CAD drawing of a design idea. 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 students’ and your schools’ needs. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation

Developing an understanding of the terms ‘system’, ‘input’, ‘process’, ‘output’ and ‘signal’ This activity aims to develop students’ understanding of key terms such as ‘system’, ‘input’, ‘process’, ‘output’, and ‘signal’, fostering critical thinking and independent investigation skills. Our ‘Time for a Game’ scheme of work offers an engaging electronics context, allowing students to delve into infrared technologies as seen in popular devices like the Nintendo Wii. This lesson plan helps leaners understand the core components that make up the devices they use every day. By learning about systems, inputs, processes, outputs, and signals, they will begin to see the world around them in a new light. 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 maths, science and design and technology (DT). Activity: Developing an understanding of the terms ‘system’, ‘input’, ‘process’, ‘output’ and ‘signal’ In this activity, students will work in pairs to define key terms and identify these features in common products using the ‘Inputs and Outputs of Design’ presentation. They will explore the concept of a system as a collection of parts designed to carry out a function, and learn how inputs activate the system, while outputs are activated by the process. They will also delve into the role of signals in transmitting information between different system blocks. To reinforce this learning, the Wii film will provide a practical example of these concepts at work. The engineering context This lesson plan provides an engaging introduction to engineering principles, as students learn about the components that make up the systems around them. Understanding the inputs, processes, outputs, and signals of a system is foundational to engineering and design. This activity will inspire students to consider a career in engineering, as they gain insights into the creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving involved in designing and understanding complex systems. Suggested learning outcomes Upon completion of this activity, students will have a clear understanding of the difference between input, process, and output in a system and be able to define these terms. They’ll be able to identify these features in common products, enhancing their understanding of the devices and technologies they interact with daily. 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 (including film clips!), 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

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.