**In this fun activity for kids, students will construct a miniature catapult capable of firing a marshmallow! ** This exercise will allow students to develop practical skills using a saw and a glue gun and their communication skills as they work as part of a team. This activity could be used in Key Stage 2 as a straightforward design and technology project. It could also be integrated with history and drama. This activity will take approximately 100-180 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required For the marshmallow holders: Copies of the marshmallow catapults holder (handout) printed on card Scissors Glue sticks For the catapult structures: Square section softwood: 8 x 8 x 590 mm, 6 pieces per team plus spares Saws Vices, bench hooks, mitre boxes or similar devices to secure the wood when cutting Glue guns (one per team) 2 elastic bands per team (one small, one large) plus spares For testing: A bag of marshmallows Optional: Copies of the marshmallow catapults structures (handout) printed on paper Sandpaper Baseboards or A3/A4 pieces of cardboard for use as baseboards when using glue guns The engineering context Did you know that the word ‘engineer’ was initially used to describe people responsible for building siege weapons in ancient times? During the sieges of towns and castles, it was customary for skilled experts to construct catapults to breach defences and demoralise the defenders. Among the various catapult types, one was known as the ‘onager’, named after a wild donkey renowned for its fierce kick. The individuals responsible for building this particular catapult were referred to as ‘onager-neers’, a term that eventually evolved into engineers. Catapults need to have a structure which is both strong and stiff. Otherwise, the forces they experience when used can cause them to break. A catapult made from square shapes can be made significantly more rigid and less likely to collapse by adding reinforcement to form triangles. The principle is still widely used in civil engineering for structures ranging from cranes to aircraft structures and the roofs of buildings. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to understand that triangles can be used to reinforce structures, they will be able to safely operate a saw to cut wood, safely use a glue gun, and they will be able to design and make a structure. 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 each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

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

Building a bridge from spaghetti Working in teams, participants have 45 minutes and 15 pieces of spaghetti to build a bridge. How to make a bridge? Teamwork with spaghetti! After this time, the structures are put to the test to see which is the strongest by hanging an increasing load from each bridge until it fails. Bridges are structures that are designed to support a load, such as the cars and lorries that need to cross above a river. The structure of a bridge has a significant affect upon its strength and its stiffness. A bridge made from square shapes can be made significantly more rigid and less likely to collapse by adding reinforcement to form triangles. This principle is widely used in civil engineering. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links This activity could be used in Key Stage 2 as a stand-alone design and technology or maths activity, as a focused task to develop skills in the use of the glue gun, or as part of a structures project investigating bridges. This hands-on STEM playing and learning resource is science and maths for KS2. Tools/resources required 1-2 packets of spaghetti Glue guns (one per team) Optional: Baseboards or A3/A4 pieces of cardboard for use as baseboards when using glue guns Download the activity sheets for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download and are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Understand sustainability issues in engineering and how these are applied when designing a product This is one of a set of resources produced in conjunction with the engineering company Arconic. The resources are designed to support teaching of key engineering concepts at both KS3 and KS4, including the new GCSE in Engineering. This resource focuses on designing a sustainably powered aircraft for the future. In this activity, learners will design a sustainably powered aircraft of the future. They will learn about the alternatives to using petrochemicals to power aircrafts. It will build understanding of sustainability issues in engineering and how these are applied when designing a product. This activity will also encourage students to get creative as they design a sustainable, but aesthetically pleasing aircraft. This could be used as a one-off main lesson activity, as part of a wider unit of work focusing on sources of energy and sustainability issues in engineering or as part of a scheme on aircraft design using the resources developed in association with Arconic. It is intended that learners complete this activity as individuals. Some prior understanding of sustainability issues and energy generation methods may be advantageous. Tools/resources required Projector/Whiteboard Basic drawing equipment CAD software (if producing final design using CAD) The engineering context Sustainable design and the use of finite and non-finite resources is required learning as part of both the new Design and Technology and Engineering 9-1 GCSE courses. The knowledge gained can also be used when selecting sources of energy for future product and system designs. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will know that oil is a non-renewable, finite resource, they will be able to understand and apply sustainable alternatives to petrochemicals for powering aircraft and they will be able to communicate design ideas using sketches, notes and annotations. Download the activity sheets for free! All activity sheets, worksheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Learn how to make the base of a moving vehicle from card Build a car with axles that moves! Budding inventors engineer the base and body for a model car made from card with wheels and axles. This is a fun practical activity for participants to make a simple 3D shape from a 2D net. The KS1 DT activity then introduces axles and wheels to enable the car to move. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity, pupils will make the base of a moving vehicle to understand how cars are designed and how axles work to allow cars to move. Download the free resources! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download and are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. Tools/resources required Copies of the car base handout, printed on card, 1 per pupil (plus spares) Axles, 2 per pupil – for example, wooden skewers Plastic tubing – this can be short sections cut from drinking straws Wheels, 4 per pupil Scissors Glue sticks Optional: Sticky tape or double-sided sticky tape Hole punches (ideally single hole punches) Coloured pencils Pre-made model of the base, for demonstration (this could be made large size, for example by printing out on A3 card) Download the activity sheets 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 And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Design an experiment to test how long it takes a vehicle to move down a slope In this series of activities, pupils will learn about nets and wheels and axles. They will combine these technologies to make the base and body for a vehicle made from card, finishing by evaluating the performance of the assembled vehicle. This activity evaluates the performance of the vehicle previously manufactured by the pupils. It involves recording the time taken by each vehicle to go down a slope. This can be converted into the speed of the vehicle. It could be used at Key Stage 1 or 2 to develop an understanding of the use of testing and numeracy skills. 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 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

Measuring sizes of hands and presenting data Designers must consider how people will interact with their products and systems. The use of ergonomics and anthropometric data allows them to make sure their products are comfortable and efficient to use. This resource focuses on ergonomics in GCSE DT and the use of anthropometric data. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links An engaging KS4 activity in which students will collect data relating to the hand sizes of different people for use in designing a shopping bag carrier. It will build knowledge and understanding of how ergonomics and anthropometric data and anthropometric measurements are gathered for use in product design. 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. Linking to key exam boards such as GCSE DT providers AQA and Edexcel. 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

Testing the operation of pulley systems and calculating their mechanical advantage This GCSE maths resource looks at how pulleys work and is fully-curriculum linked. Download the resource for free to teach KS4 pulleys to your class. What are the advantages of a pulley system? Mechanical systems allow us to perform tasks that would otherwise be very difficult, enabling us to lift objects that would otherwise be far too heavy to move. For example, cranes on building sites that move heavy materials. This GCSE mathematics resource focuses on testing pulley systems and calculating their mechanical advantage. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links An engaging activity in which students will will test and calculate the mechanical advantage of three different examples of simple pulley systems designed to lift loads. It will build knowledge and understanding of how pulley systems work, along with improving related numeracy skills. 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

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

An activity for GCSE students to design a levitating hoverboard that works using magnetism 1980s films predicted that by 2015 people using hoverboards would be a very common sight, but only now is the technology finally reaching the point where it can become a reality. Students will combine their creative prowess with scientific principles as they tackle the challenge of designing a functional hoverboard that defies gravity through the power of magnetism. This hands-on experience will not only push the boundaries of students’ creativity but also empower them to apply scientific theory in a tangible and captivating way. Activity introduction This activity is one of a series of free resources designed to support the delivery of the new 9-1 GCSEs in Design & Technology, and Engineering. Each resource covers a key topic from one or more of the specifications for these subjects. This resource focuses on designing a hoverboard that uses magnetism and magnetic fields. Students will need to design a hoverboard for teenagers that can move forward without touching the ground. The product should use a suitable method of keeping the board in the air, such as magnetism. Learners should draw on their scientific knowledge of magnetism and magnetic fields and focus on applying this in an engineering/design context. Magnetism is a fundamental scientific phenomenon. Utilising this has allowed designers to create new and innovative products, such as fully working MAGLEV trains and hoverboards. The engineering context Utilising scientific principles for product design constitutes a significant component within the new GCSE curriculum for Design & Technology and Engineering. The insights acquired from this approach can also be harnessed while leveraging magnetic forces and other associated scientific phenomena to bolster the conceptualisation of upcoming products. Suggested learning outcomes Upon completion of this task, students will have the capacity to create a functional levitating hoverboard by applying scientific principles to product design. Additionally, they will be able to effectively convey design concepts using sketches, written notes, and annotations. Download our activity sheets for free! The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Make a working prototype of a treadle pump that is designed to help people living in remote villages source water. Learners will create a functional and fully operational prototype of a treadle pump designed to lift water from wells in this task. This project aims to enhance their ability to effectively design products that address social needs. It will also improve their manufacturing skills and capacity to choose suitable materials, tools, and equipment. This activity can be utilised as the final part of a four-lesson unit, following the activities “Investigating Problems Faced by People in Remote Areas,” “Methods of Obtaining Water,” and “Card Modelling of a Treadle Pump.” Alternatively, it can be used as a standalone main lesson to provide comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. How long will this activity take? This activity will take approximately 60-120 minutes to complete. Download the activity sheet below for a full lesson plan. The engineering context Integrating social issues into the design process holds significant importance in all GCSE Design and Technology 9-1 courses, as well as the GCSE Engineering 9-1 course. Students are obligated to learn about this crucial aspect. Furthermore, they must also learn about carefully selecting and utilising materials, tools, and equipment to create prototypes. The knowledge acquired through these courses can extend beyond the classroom, finding practical applications in the future when designing and producing products to meet the social needs of individuals and communities. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to manufacture a working prototype of a treadle pump for people living in a remote village, they will be able to select appropriate materials, tools and equipment for the activity, and they will be able to understand the use and application of wasting, joining, forming and finishing techniques. 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

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

Craft solutions for clean water and make a proto-type of an idea What is a treadle pump and how does it work? This is one of a series of resources designed to support the delivery of DT at secondary, using Design & Technology and Engineering. Each resource covers a key topic from one or more of the specifications for these subjects. This resource focuses on the social problems and challenges faced by people living in remote parts of the world, and allows students to craft solutions to these issues. Millions of people live in remote parts of the world. They face many challenges, such as limited access to electricity and difficulties in sourcing food and water. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity, secondary learners will investigate some of the problems faced by people living in remote areas, and how they might be solved. It will build their knowledge of social issues and how this affects the design of products and systems. The DT KS4 activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Download the activity sheets for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Design a treadle pump This is one of a series of GCSE DT resources designed to support teachers to deliver high-quality, inspiring lessons. Each resource covers a key topic from one or more of the specifications for these subjects. This resource focuses on designing ideas to solve the problem of water supply faced by people living in remote villages. One challenge that many people living in dry, remote areas face is the sourcing of water to irrigate crops and therefore grow food. A treadle pump can be used to make this much easier and far less time consuming. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links How does a water pump work? In this activity, learners will produce design ideas for a treadle pump that can raise water from wells. It will develop their ability to design products that meet a social need. It will also develop their skills in the drawing techniques used by designers and engineers to communicate their ideas. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Download the activity sheets for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

An engaging activity in which students will analyse and investigate how hoverboards work. They will consider the science and technology behind how they are able to levitate, the main features of each design and what that could be improved.

Primary classroom poster exploring the process involved in iterative design. To order your completely free posted pack, please visit the IET Education website.

Primary classroom poster summarising the FIRST LEGO League Discovery programme. Download this single poster or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.

Primary classroom poster enabling your students to discover more about light and how it travels. Download the single poster here or order the full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.

Primary classroom poster giving a closer look at exploded views and how you can draw them for yourself. Download the single poster or order a full set of posters for free form the IET Education website.

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