Developing a marketing and branding campaign for Pure Water An essential part of a product’s identity is the logo that is used to represent it. In this activity, students will work on developing a ‘marketing and branding’ campaign for a drinking water product by Pure Water. The campaign will need to design the overall package for the scheme, including logos, slogans, adverts, podcasts, posters etc. As a class, brainstorm what the essential criteria are for an effective logo. Then participants generate a range of ideas select their best idea and develop this in a suitable form. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links This activity requires participants to apply understanding of creative thinking, product development and graphic design to a design and technology context. Download the free activity sheet! 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 Projector/whiteboard 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. To watch the ‘Pure water’ video, please visit the IET Education website.

Students build a communications device and develop a protocol to communicate with each other This is an engaging and practical activity in which students will work in small teams to investigate the necessity of developing standards and protocols for communication using a basic electrical circuit. Their objective is to build a basic communication device and establish communication between teams. Each team should receive a copy of the ‘Building the Communicator’ handout and proceed to assemble their circuits. This activity is a great way to introduce students to the history and practical use of telecommunication while also engaging their creativity and problem-solving skills. How long will this activity take? This activity will take approximately 45 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Per team: One non-latching push to make switch Connecting leads One light bulb (3V approx) and holder One 3V power supply (best to use cells so that bulbs do not blow) Supply of crocodile clips The engineering context Telemedicine engineers are professionals who specialise in designing, developing, and implementing technological solutions for remote medical care. They utilise their expertise in engineering, software development, and medical equipment to create systems that enable patients to receive medical care remotely. Telemedicine engineers also work closely with healthcare providers to understand their needs and develop solutions that address their challenges. Telemedicine engineers play a critical role in expanding access to healthcare for patients in remote areas. They contribute to the development of cutting-edge technology that allows medical practitioners to deliver high-quality care to patients from a distance. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to build a simple electrical circuit, design a code for easy transmission of messages between two teams and explain why global protocols are required. 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

With the development of prosthetics progressing all the time, this engineering activity for kids will enable students to find out about the systems and controls, electronics and engineering behind the ever-advancing technologies in prosthetics and body centric communications. This is a great resource to create educational discussions on the ethics of medical robots, body centric antenna as well as prosthetics. Activity introduction Body centric communications have abundant applications in personal healthcare, smart homes, personal entertainment, identification systems, space exploration and military. This topic investigates the driving technology behind body centric communications, explores current health applications of these devices, possibilities for the future and the ethical issues surrounding these advancements. In this activity students are introduced to how the present body centric antenna, plus prosthetic technology, could be compared to science fiction ‘cyborgs’. Students will also be asked to discuss ethical issues around this idea. You could start the discussion by focusing on the positive achievements that are possible using BCAs and prosthetic devices. Then you could progress to the more sinister cyborg possibilities. Draw the discussion together in a plenary and seek a class consensus. Students can use different ethical positions to look at the issues. How would you consider the issues from a utilitarian viewpoint? How about from rights-based, moral duty or selfish ethical positions? As an extension you can run a debate getting the students to adopt contrasting ethical standpoints in favour for and against Cybermen. The engineering context Body centric communications refers to any communication on, within or around the body using wireless technology. Engineers play a key role in the advancement of healthcare as they create access to these life-changing technologies. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this STEM activity students will understand how an antenna turns radio frequency radiation into a voltage and vice versa, they will understand the role of antenna in electronic communications systems. They will also be able to consider ethical standpoints on using advanced technology to control prosthetics. 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

Students design an ideal set of headphones This is an engaging exercise aimed at secondary school students. This resource will allow learners to understand ergonomics and aesthetics in an authentic context and apply their findings in a creative and challenging way. Students are given the opportunity to think about acoustic engineering and to analyse earphones currently on the market in a structured, detailed, and creative way. They are then encouraged to investigate the potential development of the product. Download our free activity sheet below to view a case study of a pair of Bang & Olufsen earphones. Discuss as a class the styling and marketing of this product. The CAFEQUE (Cost, Aesthetics, Function, Ergonomics, Quality, User, Environment) principles can then be used to analyse them. Using what they have learnt from this product, ask the students to analyse their own headphones/earphones and to produce a critique of them. They should focus on which areas they would develop and why. To support the students, use the ‘Acoustic Engineering’ presentation for assessment criteria that stipulate what is expected in this detailed design-development sheet. These criteria can be developed with the students, using the example as a starting place. Tools/resources required Projector/whiteboard A range of earphones and headphones (these could be provided by the students or collected by the department over time) Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this resource students will understand how to analyse a product. They will also be able to identify areas for development when analysing a product and they will be able to present their design considerations when deciding which areas and features to develop. Download the activity sheets for free! Also available Acoustic Engineering 1 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.

The science behind communication technology From founding communications, such as the fire beacon, to being able to communicate with space, there is no denying that developments in communication have advanced at a rapid speed. This topic presents students with communications of the past, present and future, helping them to understand the principles that form the basis for these developments. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links An engaging activity introducing students to the science behind communication technology, giving them an understanding of some of the vocabulary and concepts used. 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. 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

Secondary classroom poster showing basic components and symbols in a circuit. Download the single poster or order a full poster set for free from the IET Education website.

What is sustainable energy? What is a carbon footprint? The “Energy Efficiency” curriculum explores the meaning of these terms and encourages students to research what they can do as a school community to save energy and reduce their carbon footprint. The activities use the example of Howe Dell Primary School, which was designed with the principle of sustainability. This provides a framework for students to compare their own school and identify simple energy-saving measures that they can implement to reduce their carbon footprint and save money. By studying Howe Dell Primary School, students can see how cutting-edge technology and science are being used to achieve sustainability goals. Activity overview Show the students the Green School film. Ask them to briefly discuss, as a class, the following questions: What do we mean by “sustainable energy” resources? What types of sustainable energy resources are found in buildings today? What does “carbon footprint” mean, and how is it calculated? What is sustainable energy? Sustainable energy is energy that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is energy from renewable sources that do not produce greenhouse gases or other pollutants. Sustainable energy is important for a number of reasons. It helps to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, which are a finite resource and produce greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. It also helps to improve air quality and create jobs in the clean energy sector. What is a carbon footprint? A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by an individual, organisation, event, or product. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change. A carbon footprint can be calculated for any activity or entity. There are several different methods for calculating carbon footprints. They all involve measuring the amount of greenhouse gases emitted during a product or service’s production, transportation, use, and disposal. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to explain what “sustainable energy” and “carbon footprint” mean, and they will be able to describe and explain what sustainable technologies could be used in their school. Download the activity sheets for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable so that you can tailor them to your students and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, helpful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in the four devolved UK nations: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

What is sustainable energy? What is a carbon footprint? The “Energy Efficiency” curriculum explores the meaning of these terms and encourages students to research what they can do as a school community to save energy and reduce their carbon footprint. The activities use the example of Howe Dell Primary School, which was designed with the principle of sustainability. This provides a framework for students to compare their own school and identify simple energy-saving measures that they can implement to reduce their carbon footprint and save money. By studying Howe Dell Primary School, students can see how cutting-edge technology and science are being used to achieve sustainability goals. Activity overview Show the students the Green School film (available on the IET Education website). Ask them to briefly discuss, as a class, the following questions: What do we mean by “sustainable energy” resources? What types of sustainable energy resources are found in buildings today? What does “carbon footprint” mean, and how is it calculated? What is sustainable energy? Sustainable energy is energy that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is energy from renewable sources that do not produce greenhouse gases or other pollutants. Sustainable energy is important for a number of reasons. It helps to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, which are a finite resource and produce greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. It also helps to improve air quality and create jobs in the clean energy sector. What is a carbon footprint? A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by an individual, organisation, event, or product. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change. A carbon footprint can be calculated for any activity or entity. There are several different methods for calculating carbon footprints. They all involve measuring the amount of greenhouse gases emitted during a product or service’s production, transportation, use, and disposal. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to explain what “sustainable energy” and “carbon footprint” mean, and they will be able to describe and explain what sustainable technologies could be used in their school. Download the activity sheets for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable so that you can tailor them to your students and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, helpful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in the four devolved UK nations: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

An engaging activity in which students will develop a marketing strategy and advertising materials for the product. It will be taught through teamwork mirroring the design process within a ‘design consultancy.’ Each team will pitch for the tender at the end of the unit, presenting ideas to the class. This activity could be taught in design & technology, with the emphasis on product design or graphics.

Through this fun and engaging STEM activity, learners will understand how aerodynamic and streamlined shapes are used in our day to day lives and the design, technology, and engineering principles behind them. This is a free resource aimed at secondary school children. Students will have the opportunity to learn about aerodynamic forces and aerodynamic design and how these design principles enhance speed and efficiency in a product. A brilliant engineering activity for kids. Students will start to understand the basic principles of aerodynamics by looking at familiar products that have been designed with ‘speed’ in mind and through identifying features common to these products. Later, they could start to explore the requirements of aerodynamic design through testing simple shapes in a wind tunnel and through water. The activity focuses on students acquiring an understanding of aerodynamics through testing, experimenting, and developing. This activity is designed to be taught through science and design and technology simultaneously, as a cross-curricular project. However, it can also be tackled independently from each subject. What do the images have in common? Why have they been designed in that shape? Could they be split into themed groups? As an extension students could be asked to consider the social/economic and technological benefits (and drawbacks) of each example. This will give some reasoning behind the development of the final design and illustrate how there are many different factors affecting the design. The engineering context Aerodynamics refers to the way air moves around things. Anything that moves through the air reacts to aerodynamics. Aerodynamics acts on aeroplanes, rockets, kites and even cars! Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to identify areas where aerodynamics is used in real life and they will be able to describe the social/economic and technological effect of the 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 teachers’ notes, 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 lesson, students will learn about the development of aerodynamics through history. It’s an engaging starter activity where students will be introduced to the concepts behind aerodynamic design, including how simple shapes can be tested in a wind tunnel and through water. Learners will explore the basic principles of aerodynamics by looking at familiar products (such as cars) that have been designed for speed. As part of the lesson, students will examine how these products have evolved and how aerodynamic principles have influenced these developments. They’ll be asked to identify common features across different products and understand how these features all contribute to speed. This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in science or design and technology (DT). Activity: Learning about the history of aerodynamics This activity will ask students to research images of a selection of cars and aeroplanes from the 20th and 21st centuries (without looking at exactly when they were made). Students will then try to arrange these images in chronological order and explain their decision-making process based on the aerodynamics of each vehicle. Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan for teaching students about the history of aerodynamics. The engineering context From making the fastest Formula One car, to designing more fuel-efficient aeroplanes, aerodynamics is a fundamental skill for mechanical engineers. By exploring the evolution of cars and airplanes, students will develop an appreciation for how advancements in aerodynamics technology have shaped the look and design of many cars and aeroplanes over the years. Suggested learning outcomes Students will be able to identify trends in the development of aeroplanes and cars. They will gain an understanding of what influenced these developments and be able to explain the role of aerodynamics as part of this. Download our classroom lesson plan and presentation 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. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

What makes one set of headphones better than another? This is a fun STEM activity designed for secondary school students that will allow them to understand ergonomics and aesthetics in an authentic context and apply their findings in a creative and challenging way. These starter activities have been inspired by the ‘Sound Design’ film and focuses upon the development of earphones and headphones. Students are provided with the opportunity to analyse earphones currently on the market in a structured, detailed, and creative way. They are then encouraged to investigate the potential development of this product. Download our free activity sheet for a range of starter activities. These activities are designed to be as flexible as you need them to be – they could form the basis of the lesson or be used as starters for a series of lessons. As an extension to this activity students could complete the main activity in this series titled ‘Acoustic Engineering 2’. Tools/resources required Sound design film (below) Projector/whiteboard A range of earphones and headphones (these could be provided by the students or collected by the department over time) Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this free resource students will be able to understand how to analyse a product. They will also be able to identify areas for development when analysing a product and to be able to present their design considerations when deciding which areas and features to develop. 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

From founding communications, such as the fire beacon, to being able to communicate with space, there is no denying that developments in communication have advanced at a rapid speed. This topic presents students with communications of the past, present and future, helping them to understand the principles that form the basis for these developments. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links An engaging activity introducing students to the differences between analogue and digital communication. An analogue signal can be rendered useless by small amounts of interference, whereas a digital signal remains coherent. 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

Is it ethical to use microchip implants in pets and people? 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 introduces students to the use of RFID technology. They investigate extensions to the use of such technology in various contexts. 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

This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons to create a working prototype of a step counter. 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 integrate a BBC micro:bit based programmable system into a working product prototype. 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

Creating designs for novel products using magnets In this fun STEM activity students will learn about how magnets can be used to attract or repel each other. They will use their knowledge of how they work to identify and sketch design ideas for two novel products that make use of magnets and magnetism. This resource is a great way for KS2 students to learn all about magnets and could be used as a one-off activity or as part of a wider unit of work focusing on magnets and magnetism. It can also be used in conjunction with other IET Education resources, developed alongside the School of Engineering at Cardiff University. This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within science and design and technology. This resource focuses on identifying and sketching design ideas for innovative products that make use of magnets. This activity could be completed as individuals or in small groups. This activity will take approximately 40-60 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Bar magnets with N and S poles marked Modelling materials (for extension activity) Pencils, pens and sketching equipment CAD software (for extension activity) Modelling tools and equipment (for extension activity) Magnetic forces Magnets are made from materials such as iron and nickel and they have a north pole and a south pole. When the north pole of a magnet is placed near the south pole of another magnet, they will attract each other. When two poles that are the same are placed near each other, they will repel each other. For example, north to north and south to south. The engineering context Engineers need to know the properties of magnets, which materials are magnetic and which materials are non-magnetic. This knowledge could be used when identifying and creating potential solutions to future engineering problems. For example, when developing green transport solutions. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to describe magnets as having two poles, they will understand how magnets attract or repel each other and they will be able to identify and design ideas for products that make use of magnets. Download the free Magnetic forces STEM 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

Making a cradle using magnets that repel each other Newton’s cradle uses swinging spheres to show how the conservation of momentum and the conservation of energy works. The device was named after Sir Isaac Newton and designed by French scientist Edme Mariotte. This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within science and design and technology. This resource focuses on producing a magnetic Newton’s cradle that uses magnets which repel each other instead of the usual metal spheres. This is a great way for students to learn all about magnets and could be used as a one-off activity or as part of a wider unit of work focusing on magnets and magnetism. It can also be used in conjunction with other IET Education resources, developed alongside the School of Engineering at Cardiff University. This activity will take approximately 65-90 minutes. Tools/resources required Circular magnets with holes in the middle (with N and S poles) 150 mm lengths of dowel 75 mm lengths dowel 100 – 120 mm long pieces of string (6 per unit being built) Masking tape Example of a ‘regular’ Newton’s cradle. Scissors Hot glue guns, if appropriate Magnetic forces Magnets are made from materials such as iron and nickel and they have a north pole and a south pole. When the north pole of a magnet is placed near the south pole of another magnet, they will attract each other. When two poles that are the same are placed near each other, they will repel each other. For example, north to north and south to south. The engineering context Engineers need to know the properties of magnets, which materials are magnetic and which materials are non-magnetic. This knowledge could be used when identifying and creating potential solutions to future engineering problems. For example, when developing green transport solutions. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to describe magnets as having two poles – north and south, they will understand that magnets either attract or repel each other and they will be able to make and test a ‘magnetic’ Newton’s cradle. Download the free How to make a magnetic Newton’s cradle 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

Making a device to measure wind speed In this science project, students will construct a Robinson Anemometer using common household materials. Once built, students can use it to measure wind speed either inside with domestic items or outside with the natural environment. This activity can serve as a stand-alone project or as a component of a broader unit on weather or measurement. It is intended for upper Key Stage 2 learners (years 5 and 6). This resource is part of a collection of free STEM resources created to aid in the teaching of the primary national curriculum, especially in the areas of science and design and technology. The purpose of this activity is to aid in teaching key concepts through the construction of a homemade anemometer. Parts and components required: Polystyrene balls, 25 - 40 mm diameter, 1 per anemometer Wood/bamboo skewers, 3 per anemometer Putty (such as Blutack or Whitetak) OR modelling clay (such as clay, Plasticine or Playdough). EITHER 6 paper cups OR 4 paper cups and a plastic water bottle with a sports cap Sticky tape Tools and equipment required: Fans, hair-dryers or other sources of moving air Stop watches Commercial anemometer (for extension activity) The Robinson Anemometer The Robinson Anemometer is a type of cup anemometer, an instrument used for measuring wind speed. It was invented by John Thomas Romney Robinson in 1846 and is named after him. The Robinson Anemometer consists of four hemispherical cups mounted at the end of horizontal arms, which are attached to a vertical shaft. As the cups rotate due to the force of the wind, the speed of the wind can be calculated based on the rate of rotation. The Robinson Anemometer is still widely used today and is considered one of the most accurate and reliable types of anemometers. The engineering context Engineers need to be able to measure the forces that will act on the things they need to design. They need to understand how these measurements are made so that they can be confident that their designs will meet the requirements in practical situations. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will have an understanding of what is meant by wind, they will be able to construct a simple mechanical device and they will be able to understand that the linear movement of air can be measured by the rotation of an anemometer. 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

This fun STEM resource focuses on making shadow puppets while nurturing an understanding of the relationship between light and shadow. We’ve created this shadow puppet experiment to support the teaching of key topics within design and technology (D&T) and science as part of the primary national curriculum at key stage 2 (KS2). This resource focuses on making shadow puppets and developing supporting knowledge about the relationship between light and shadow. This could be used as a one-off activity in D&T or science or linked with the IET primary activity ‘How does the light from a torch change with distance?’, which involves measuring how the distribution of light varies with distance from the light source. It could also be used in conjunction with learning in literacy – for example, creating puppets to perform a story being studied. Activity: Making shadow puppets Learners will make a shadow puppet using card, craft sticks and sticky tape. This not only makes learning about shadow puppets fun but also fosters creativity and storytelling skills among learners at the KS2 level. Tools/supplies needed: Card (photocopies of handouts, if used) Masking tape Craft sticks Tracing paper (for screen) Large boxes (for extension activity) Scissors Torches The Engineering Context Engineers often have to consider how light behaves when designing products for practical applications. For instance, the positioning of windows and artificial lighting in buildings, or the power and placement of lights and mirrors in vehicles, are all influenced by an understanding of light and shadow. This activity will give learners an insight into these considerations. Suggested learning outcomes Light is a type of electromagnetic radiation. Visible light is the range of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be seen with a human eye. Light’s brightness, or intensity, is typically measured as the power per unit area. Any object that blocks the path of light causes a shadow. This activity therefore offers a blend of scientific learning, practical skills, and creative expression, making it a comprehensive educational experience. Specifically, children will learn that blocking the path of light causes a shadow, and they’ll be able to use scissors to make a graphic product. Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Learn how to make a homemade single stringed musical instrument in this fun STEM activity for kids This fun STEM activity for kids will show you how to make a homemade musical instrument from card and can be done at home or at school! This is one of a set of free resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within science and design and technology. This resource focuses on the construction, investigation and testing of a single stringed instrument. In this activity learners will construct a card model of a single stringed instrument. They will test how it works, demonstrating how the tension of the string affects the pitch of the notes produced. This could be used as a one-off activity or as part of a wider unit of work focusing on how sound is produced and heard by the human ear. It could also be used to develop modelling and prototyping skills. Download our activity sheet below for a step-by-step guide on how to construct your homemade instrument. As an optional extension students could evaluate the model they have built and suggest improvements that could be made to it. They could also make a manufactured prototype of a single stringed instrument using woods, metals and/or plastics. Alternatively, they could investigate and research the use of pivots and how these work in mechanical systems. This activity will take approximately 40 – 60 minutes. Tools/resources required Parts and materials: Pieces of card Hollow card boxes Paper fasteners Elastic bands Tools and equipment: Scissors Hole punches The engineering context Engineers need to be able to understand how sound is produced and heard by the human ear. This knowledge could be used when designing musical instruments or products that produce different sounds, such as games for children. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will have an understanding of how sound is produced from a stringed instrument. They will also have an understanding of how changing the tightness/tension of a string alters the pitch of the notes produced. Finally, they will be able to construct and test a model of a single stringed instrument. 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 https://education.theiet.org/primary/teaching-resources/make-a-homemade-musical-instrument/