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.

Understanding levers and forces This STEM activity aims to develop children’s understanding of levers, specifically the seesaw class lever, one of the simplest forms of machine used to change the magnitude or direction of a force. Making a small seesaw model is a fun-filled way to introduce children to the concepts of levers and forces. By making simple levers, learners will grasp how the effort applied to a lever affects the load. This hands-on project not only sparks their curiosity but also encourages active learning. We’ve created this seesaw scale activity to support the teaching of key topics within design and technology (D&T), maths, and science as part of the primary national curriculum at key stage 2 (KS2). You can use it as a one-off activity or link it with a measurement activity in food technology. Activity: Making the lever Learners will make a simple lever assembly from a binder clip, ruler, two paper cups and sticky tape. Children will also be asked to use a lever to work out the force required to move a load. Learners will compare results and explain their findings. Depending on available resources, this activity could be carried out individually or in small teams. Tools/supplies needed: Rulers Large binder clips Paper cups Sticky tape Weights such as steel nuts, small weights from science or marbles The engineering context Engineers use their understanding of how the effort applied to a lever affects the load in designing a wide range of products. From weighing scales to control pedals in cars, nutcrackers, wheelbarrows, bottle openers, and scissors, levers find their application across various industries. By understanding the seesaw lever class, learners will gain a fundamental insight into the principles that govern these everyday objects. Suggested learning outcomes Through this activity, learners will gain the ability to identify the parts of a lever and understand how the effort applied to a lever affects the load. They’ll also understand the principle of balance in a seesaw lever and how distance from the fulcrum impacts the effort needed to move a load. This will equip them with the foundational knowledge about levers, a key component in KS2 science, and provide a practical context for understanding mathematical concepts like multiplication and equality. Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources 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 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

Secondary classroom poster highlighting some of the areas in which the human body can be improved with technology. Download the single poster or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.

Secondary classroom poster calculating mechanical and electrical power. Order a free set of secondary posters from the IET Website.

Secondary classroom poster illustrating the concepts of current and resistance, their measurements and affecting factors. Download the single poster or order a full set from the IET Education website.

Secondary classroom poster exploring the green solutions for future travel. Download or order a full set of posters for free from the IET Education website.

A maths-based challenge for KS3 to calculate the journey times and carbon footprint of different methods of travel As well as testing students’ mathematical abilities, this activity highlights the issue of sustainable travel and the effects of some modes of transport on the environment. This could be used as a one-off main lesson activity to use maths skills in context, or as part of a scheme of work on sustainability, to build knowledge and understanding of climate change and ways of reducing it. Activity introduction This activity is one of a series of resources designed in conjunction with Network Rail to develop understanding and skills in key maths, science, and engineering concepts. The carbon footprint data in the presentation is derived from passenger-specific figures published by BEIS/Defra Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors 2019. Transportation speeds are approximations based on typical values obtained from commonly used search engines. Any statistical or speed-related data used in this activity serves its sole purpose within the activity and may not accurately mirror current real-world conditions. Variability might arise due to seasonal changes, environmental conditions, or legal constraints. When utilising the activity sheet, students can construct tables for each journey, showcasing their findings (as depicted on the sheet). For air travel, a buffer of 3 hours should be allotted to account for check-in, security procedures, and boarding at airports. To add an additional layer of complexity, transit times to airports and railway stations could be incorporated. The presentation includes supplementary slides for those who prefer kilometres instead of miles. The engineering context Engineers must understand how products impact the environment; This pertains not only to modes of transportation but also encompasses the production of new items. They can use this knowledge to balance the environmental impact with the function carried out by the product. Engineers can also develop new or improved Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to solve a contextual problem using division and multiplication, and they will understand how to calculate journey times and the carbon footprint for alternative modes of transport. 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. You can download our step-by-step instructions below as either a classroom lesson plan or PowerPoint presentation. Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Making structures from card and assembling these into baskets In this hands-on STEM activity for kids, students will learn about 3D structures within a graphics projects. The project will involve using templates to help them cut out the parts for an Easter bunny basket. This fun exercise is aimed at primary school children and could be used as a main lesson activity, to teach learners about simple structures made from separate parts. This is one of a set of free resources designed to allow learners to use Easter themes to develop their knowledge and skills in Design and Technology and Mathematics. This resource focuses on building an Easter bunny-shaped basket. The teacher will first print the activity sheet, which can be downloaded below, onto thin card and distribute to the learners. Learners can then follow these steps to build their own DIY Easter bunny basket. Once learners have completed each step for themselves, the teacher can explain how nets are used to make objects and how separate parts are used to make a larger structure. Learners will share their completed bunny baskets with the class. What do you think went well? What could be improved? This activity will take approximately 50 – 80 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Glue sticks Card Scissors Cotton wool (for the bunny tails) The engineering context Engineers use nets and card to allow them to make scale 3D models of buildings and other structures, as well as packaging for products. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this STEM challenge learners will be able to understand how structures are made using separate parts and they will be able to make and assemble a bunny basket structure from card parts. Download the free Build an Easter Bunny Basket activity sheet below! Also includes a bonus wordsearch to enhance sticky learning. 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.

Making an Easter bunny puppet with moving arms and legs In this activity students will learn about simple mechanisms using linkages made from paper products. Learners will have an opportunity to use a template to help them cut out the parts for a cardboard Easter bouncing bunny. This fun STEM challenge aimed at primary school children could be used as a main lesson activity, to teach learners about linkages. This is one of a set of resources designed to allow learners to use Easter themes to develop their knowledge and skills in Design and Technology and Mathematics. This resource focuses on building a card structure, which uses linkages to make the limbs of a bunny move. Follow this step-by-step guide to make your own Easter bouncing bunny. Learners will complete each step for themselves. Once everyone has made their bouncing bunny, the teacher will discuss the results of the activity with learners. The teacher will also explain how linkages are used to make objects move. Download the free activity sheet for more detailed instructions, teachers notes and for optional extension work. Also includes a fun bonus activity to enhance sticky learning. This exercise will take approximately 50 – 80 minutes. Tools/resources required Glue sticks Card or cardboard Scissors String Brass fasteners Pencils Erasers/sticky tack Elastic bands The engineering context Engineers must have a good understanding of mechanisms. Mechanisms are used in every machine that has moving parts, from trains, cars, and washing machines to a space rocket. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students should be able to understand how to use a linkage to create movement and they will be able to make and assemble a bouncing bunny with moving arms and legs. 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.

Learn about 3D structures and make a bunny pop up card in this fun Easter STEM activity for kids In this fun STEM activity for kids, students will learn about graphic products and use templates to help them cut out the parts for a homemade Easter card. This activity is aimed at primary school children and could be used as a main lesson activity, to teach learners about the use of templates. This is one of a set of resources designed to allow students to use Easter themes to develop their knowledge and skills in Design and Technology and Mathematics. This resource focuses on making a graphics project, in this case an Easter pop-up bunny card. The teacher will first print the activity sheet, which can be downloaded below, onto thin card and distribute to the learners. Learners can then follow these steps to make their own homemade Easter bunny pop-up card. Once learners have completed each step for themselves, the teacher can explain why templates are used to make objects and how separate parts are used to make a larger structure. Learners will share their completed Easter pop-up cards with the class. What do you think went well? What could be improved? This activity will take approximately 50 – 80 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Glue sticks Card (various colours) Scissors Coloured paper The engineering context Engineers use nets and card to allow them to make scale 3D models of buildings and other structures, as well as packaging for products. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this Easter STEM challenge learners will be able to make and assemble an Easter pop-up card from separate parts. Download the free Make an amazing Easter pop up card activity sheet. Also included is a bonus wordsearch to enhance sticky learning. 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.

Creating a working prototype of a food temperature probe This activity tasks students with using the micro:bit to develop a prototype for a food temperature probe that will warn people when their food is too cold. It’s an ideal lesson for introducing students to programming, allowing them to develop their skills, make use of programmable components and even embed intelligence into a product’s design. This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in design and technology (DT) or computing lessons. It can be taught as a main lesson activity with Programmable systems as a starter activity, and Product integration as an extension activity. Activity: Creating a working prototype of a food temperature probe The activity starts with students being briefed on the importance of food being prepared or cooked to the correct temperature. Too cold and it could cause food poisoning, too hot and it could burn. Learners will then be asked to use this knowledge to develop a temperature monitoring system using the BBC micro:bit. The engineering context Being able to accurately monitor temperature is important within several industries including food, healthcare, electronics, energy, defence and chemical manufacturing. Engineers must therefore design systems that can not only easily monitor temperature but also automatically trigger warnings (such as alarms) or safety mechanisms (such as cooling systems) to regulate temperature. Suggested learning outcomes Learners will be able to understand a block systems diagram of the food temperature probe system. They’ll be able to successfully program the BBC micro:bit so that the system meets the design criteria, being able to choose appropriate inputs and output device for the system they’ve designed. 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.

In this entrepreneurial role-play activity, students will research and create a pitch to sell a remote surgery system. 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). Activity: Researching and pitching the technology for a remote surgery system This activity tasks students with an exciting entrepreneurial challenge. Students must role play being a senior engineer who has been tasked with creating a compelling video pitch to sell your custom remote surgery systems to the Faratron Medical Institute. The system includes a surgeon interface, a communications link, and a patient interface. The Faratron Medical Institute wants answers to critical technical concerns: Students will review a list of several technical questions from the institute and prepare a video response that addresses at least three of these questions, demonstrating technical solutions and building confidence in remote surgery system. Students can use visuals, props, or a direct presentation style. Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan on our entrepreneurial challenge. The engineering context Engineers often need to be able to explain how their innovations work in order to gain backing for their projects, or even to secure funding to build their designs. Entrepreneurial skills can also inspire engineers to invent new things and set up their own start-up companies – which can often lead to exciting breakthroughs in the world of technology. Suggested learning outcomes Students will learn how to use research to approach problem solving. They’ll develop their communication skills while learning about how different engineering fields converge to solve complex medical problems. Download our activity sheet and related teaching resources 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 video 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.

Learning about how wireless technology can used for personal health care In this activity students will discover how wireless electronic systems can be used to improve health care. This topic investigates the driving technology behind body centric communications. Students will explore current health applications of wireless health care devices and learn about the possibilities for the future as well as the ethical issues surrounding these advancements. 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) and science. Activity: Learning about how wireless technology can used for personal health care Students will firstly work through our Pacemaker case study, where they must explain why someone with a pacemaker needs to be cautious around certain sources of radiofrequency energy. They will then draw a labelled diagram of a heart, pacemaker, and connecting wire (BCA), with annotations explaining how the pacemaker helps with heart problems. Students will then review our Body Centric Antenna (BCA) case study where a BCA increases the speed at which data can be made available to health professionals. After reading the case study, students must produce then a short leaflet that explains the potential health benefits of BCAs. Download our activity overview for an introductory lesson plan on wearable healthcare technology for free! The engineering context Body centric communications have abundant applications in personal healthcare, smart homes, personal entertainment, identification systems, space exploration and the military. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will understand that an electronic decision-making system consists of an input, a processor, and an output. They will also know that changes in physical factors will result in an energy transfer in a transducer (i.e., a transducer can be used as a sensor). Finally, they will be introduced to some of the social uses of electronic systems in health care. Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your class’s and your schools’ needs. You can download our classroom lesson plan for free! Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation

Design a future programmable system to meet user needs As technology progresses, programmable systems are being increasingly utilised at home and in industry. What will the programmable systems of the future be like and how will we use them? In this activity, students apply what they have learnt about the uses and designs of programmable systems to invent their own to meet a specific user need. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links An engaging activity in which students look to the future and consider what they have learnt so far about programmable systems to design their own that meets a user need. 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

**Learn about ancient Egypt and discover how to make a snake bracelet inspired by ancient Egyptian jewellery ** This activity for kids will teach students how to make a snake bracelet inspired by ancient Egyptian jewellery. This activity will encourage students to design and create, as well as teach them historical facts about ancient Egypt. Resources and activity sheets are provided to help teachers support their students. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity learners will make an example of a bracelet inspired by ancient Egyptian jewellery using air drying clay. There are related activities that involve making an alternative form of bracelet and necklaces. 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 learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETeducation or send them via email to IETEducation@theiet.org to be featured in our online gallery. Downloadable content Make an Egyptian snake bracelet activity Make an Egyptian snake bracelet presentation Tools/resources required Air drying clay Sequins 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.

Make a Chinese zodiac animal wheel to learn about cutting and assembling a simple graphic product. In this activity learners will learn about cutting and assembling a simple graphic product. Learners will use a template to cut out the circle templates for the Chinese zodiac animal wheel and also learn about the twelve zodiac animals. In the Chinese zodiac, each year is represented by an animal with a different personality. Why not find out more about this tradition and a Chinese zodiac animal wheel from a template? Download the activity sheets for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download and are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. Tools/resources required Thin card Scissors Pencils Sticky tack Paper fasteners The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. And please do share your learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETeducation

Use modern technologies to enhance flight. In this activity learners will make use of the theme of the future of flight to design a wearable cockpit that makes use of new and modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), which have the potential to completely change how pilots interact with and control their aircraft. Produce a specification for their design requirements and a mind map of ideas. They will then produce sketches of their initial ideas before producing a completed final design. 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. And please do share your learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETeducation

Consider colour sequences and measurements while making paper chains for Christmas Paper chains are super easy to make and a great way to decorate a room or Christmas Tree. In this Christmas STEM activity, students are going to try to make the longest chain possible with three pieces of paper. Students will consider the different sequences that are all around them, whilst thinking about colour patterns and number sequences. 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 do share your learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETeducation #SantaLovesSTEM

A set of printable resources and guidance notes giving teachers and technicians the basic ingredients to run their very own Faraday Challenge Day. This cross-curricular activity day brings science, design and technology, engineering and maths together in an engaging way. The James Webb Space Telescope challenge is based on the Faraday Challenge of the same name from our 2018/19 season of Faraday Challenge Days. Students are given an engineering brief from Tim Peake (found in the student booklet) where he invites the students to assist the engineering mission of the James Webb Space Telescope team. They will need to demonstrate that they have the engineering skills required to engineer and construct a working prototype of their design and pitch their products to the judges. Designed for six teams of six students (36 students in total) aged 12-13 years (year 8 England, and equivalent), the challenge encourages the development of students’ problem solving, team working and communication skills. This activity day can be tailored to the needs of your school and your students by adapting the PowerPoint presentation and the editable student booklet. Can your students help make a difference as a Faraday James Webb Space Telescope engineer?

This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons. It is very important that food is prepared or cooked to the correct temperature. Too cold and it could cause food poisoning, too hot and it could burn. A temperature probe can be used to check that the temperature of food is at the right level. In this unit of learning, learners will use the BBC micro:bit to develop a prototype for a food temperature probe that will warn people when their food is too cold. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity, learners will recall and extend their understanding of programmable systems. 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