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Mathematics
Flying high
Calculating the amount of energy needed to launch a rocket into space.
In this activity learners will make use of the theme of the future of flight to calculate the amount of energy needed to launch a space rocket. They will discuss the meaning of the term escape velocity and then perform calculations based on the Space X and Saturn V rockets.
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
Remote Operations Challenge
A set of printable resources and guidance notes giving teachers and technicians the basic ingredients to run their very own IET Faraday® DIY Challenge Day. This cross-curricular activity day brings science, design and technology, engineering and maths (STEM) together in an engaging way.
The context of the challenge
Engineering has always been of great importance to the health industry. Machines, equipment, techniques and procedures are developing at a great pace and rely on engineering research and development.
The field of bioengineering – the application of engineering principles to address challenges in the fields of biology and medicine, is advancing rapidly. As medical knowledge, techniques and expertise get more sophisticated, the needs to perform remote operations, to levels of minute accuracy, are becoming more and more necessary and common.
The Remote Operations challenge is based on the IET Faraday® Challenge Day of the same name from our 2010/11 IET Faraday® Challenge Day season.
Students work in teams to design and make a prototype device that can simulate a heart and kidney transplant, but must be operated remotely. Objects representing the human heart (tennis ball) and a kidney (ping-pong ball) must be picked up and accurately placed in their appropriate holes in an MDF/cardboard cutout of a human torso.
Designed for six teams of six students (36 students in total) aged 12 – 13 years (year 8, 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.
**What’s included? **
The complete set of downloadable materials includes:
Teachers pack
A list of the practical materials needed, presenters’ notes highlighting key areas and reinforcing key themes throughout the day, some handy hints on how to deliver the day … plus printable Faradays currency and student certificates.
Student booklet
Available as an editable MSWord document to allow the booklet to be adapted to meets the needs of your students and your school.
Introductory PowerPoint presentation
A step-by-step guide for your students throughout the day, with supporting notes for the delivery of the presentation, including links to the related film clips. Film clips
Informative clips about remote medicine and robotic surgery, plus examples of possible solutions to the challenge.
To view the additional related videos, please visit the IET Education website.
Mission to Mars - DIY challenge day
A set of printable resources and guidance notes giving teachers and technicians the basic ingredients to run their very own IET Faraday® DIY Challenge Day. This cross-curricular activity day brings science, design and technology, engineering and maths (STEM) together in an engaging way.
The context of the challenge
Humans have been exploring the Earth for many years, travelling abroad for holidays, organising explorations to the top of mountains, to the poles of the Earth and to the bottom of oceans.
What happens when this spirit of expedition is turned to the skies?
Activity info and teachers’ notes
The Mission to Mars challenge is based on the IET Faraday® Challenge Day of the same name from our 2013/14 IET Faraday® Challenge Day season.
Students are the engineer specialists recruited by ‘Make it 2 Mars’ to establish a human settlement on the planet Mars by 2023. Students will design and construct a rocket which will transport supplies via Earth orbit to the astronauts on Mars, as well as building a system to transport their rocket to the launch site for testing.
Designed for six teams of six students (36 students in total) aged 12 – 13 years (year 8, 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.
What’s included?
The complete set of downloadable materials includes:
Teachers pack
A list of the practical materials needed, presenters’ notes highlighting key areas and reinforcing key themes throughout the day, some handy hints on how to deliver the day . . . plus printable Faradays currency and student certificates.
Student booklet
Available as an editable MSWord document to allow the booklet to be adapted to meets the needs of your students and your school.
Introductory PowerPoint presentation
A step-by-step guide for your students throughout the day, with supporting notes for the delivery of the presentation, including links to the related film clips.
Download the free activity sheet below!
All online resources are free to download, and the student booklet and PowerPoint presentation are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
If you are running one of our IET Faraday® DIY Challenge Day please do share your experience with us via our feedback form and case study template here. If you are unfamiliar with how to run a IET Faraday® DIY Challenge Day have a look at our 6 start-up videos here where we take you through the days, how they should run and what they entail.
And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
Emergency Communications Challenge
IET Faraday® DIY Challenge Day
A set of printable resources and guidance notes giving teachers and technicians the basic ingredients to run their very own IET Faraday® DIY Challenge Day. This cross-curricular activity day brings science, design and technology, engineering and maths (STEM) together in an engaging way.
The context of the challenge
Ease of communication is part of our life, we pick up the phone, turn on the radio, TV or internet to get news and information. Wifi networks work by radio signals. Your phone, TV and radio signals are transmitted by masts we hardly notice. But when all of these are knocked out by natural events how do we communicate?
Students are the engineer rescue team based in the town of Alpha which has been relatively unaffected by the extreme weather. As the engineer rescue team in town Alpha, students will design and build a prototype device that will need to send coded messages to town Beta, and create a code to send a message from Alpha across the mountains for decoding in Beta. There is little time to lose, with a (simulated) helicopter arriving in a matter of hours to transport half of the rescue team to town Beta to set up the system for testing.
Designed for six teams of six students (36 students in total) aged 12 – 13 years (year 8, 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.
What’s included?
The complete set of downloadable materials includes:
Teachers pack
A list of the practical materials needed, presenters’ notes highlighting key areas and reinforcing key themes throughout the day, some handy hints on how to deliver the day… plus printable Faradays currency and student certificates.
Student booklet
Available as an editable MSWord document to allow the booklet to be adapted to meets the needs of your students and your school.
Introductory PowerPoint presentation
A step-by-step guide for your students throughout the day, with supporting notes for the delivery of the presentation, including links to the related film clips.
**Remember, it’s all free! **
All online resources (including film clips!) are free to download, and the student booklet and PowerPoint presentation are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
If you are running one of our IET Faraday® DIY Challenge Day please do share your experience with us via our feedback form and case study template here. If you are unfamiliar with how to run a IET Faraday® DIY Challenge Day have a look at our 6 start-up videos here where we take you through the days, how they should run and what they entail.
And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
IET Faraday® DIY Challenge Day - IHEEM (Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management)
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 IHEEM challenge is based on the IET Faraday® Challenge of the same name from our 2021/22 season of IET Faraday® Challenge Days.
Students are given an engineering brief (found in the student booklet) to help IHEEM to design a prototype which could be used in a children’s hospital to make a stay in hospital more comfortable and relaxing for young patients and their families, carers and friends. 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.
What’s included?
The complete set of downloadable materials includes:
Teachers’ pack
A list of the practical materials needed, presenters’ notes highlighting key areas and reinforcing key themes throughout the day, some handy hints on how to deliver the day . . . plus printable Faradays currency and student certificates.
Student booklet
Available as an editable MSWord document to allow the booklet to be adapted to meets the needs of your students and your school.
PowerPoint presentation
A step-by-step guide for your students throughout the day, with supporting notes for the delivery of the presentation.
Film clip
Full briefing video introducing the challenge to your students.
All online resources are free to download, and the student booklet and PowerPoint presentation are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
And please do remember to share your activity highlights with us @IETeducation
Motorsport data analysis
Get ready to apply mathematical skills to interpret data, analyse graphs, and uncover the secrets behind the success of motor racing teams.
By the end of this activity, learners will gain a deeper appreciation for mathematics and its real-world applications while also developing your data analysis and graph interpretation abilities.
The printable worksheet contains a GCSE maths lesson plan for secondary school teachers or parents. The presentation includes the relevant graph for this activity and corresponding questions designed for students’ engagement. Allow the students some time to read the task and consider the questions. You can give the students a paper copy of the graph.
Students will need to interpret and read the graph to answer the questions. They must consider what the information displayed in the graph can tell them about the motor race.
For the final task, students must find 107% of 1hr 20min. One approach would be to convert the time to minutes before finding 107%.
Once students have worked out how long the car has left, they will need to use this information to calculate the distance remaining.
Discussion points
Encourage discussion about the answers to the bullet points. Compare the different assumptions they have made and their approaches, particularly with the final task.
Extending the problem
You could ask the students to make a commentary to accompany the graph or examine relevant GCSE questions. Consider using graphs that show more than one vehicle and introduce overtaking and other features.
Potential GCSE content
This activity will cover interpreting graphs and data, speed/distance/time and estimating.
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
Is it worth converting to LPG? Fuel efficiency
Use mathematical calculations to decide whether it is worth switching to an alternative fuel
Can data be used to determine whether it is worth converting to LPG?
This activity will encourage students to use their problem-solving skills. Understanding what information is needed and how to use the information is a key part of problem solving.
Download our free fuel consumption worksheet below to take part in this engaging activity. This is a great way for GCSE students to learn about fuel efficiency and develop their problem-solving skills.
Students should to read the problem on the first slide of the presentation. Let them think about what criteria they can use to decide whether it’s worth converting to LPG. They should take into account the annual mileage, price of petrol or LPG at the local station and size of the car in question.
They should consider the amount of money saved by converting vs the cost of the conversion. Some students may want to examine the time it would take to recover the cost of converting the car. They also need to be aware that “a car uses 10% more LPG than petrol when driving the same distance.”
Discussion points
Encourage discussion about which type of car saves most and get them to think about why this is. Remember they all do the same annual mileage! If students don’t consider recovering the cost of conversion, then prompt them at some point.
Extending the problem
It is possible to use the spreadsheet to produce a graph showing how the savings vary with annual mileage. Students could investigate the fluctuations in LPG and petrol prices over time to see if this would influence their decision.
Potential GCSE content covered
In this activity learners will use and apply calculations, use compound measures, calculate the percentage of an amount and consider the application of algebra to spreadsheets.
What is LPG?
LPG is a by-product of crude oil extraction and the refining process. Many people who consider LPG as an alternative to petrol do so because they believe that the combustion of propane results in lower carbon dioxide emissions. In terms of fuel costs, LPG costs a little more than half the price of petrol or diesel, but fuel economy is about 20-25% lower. Therefore, the overall running costs of an LPG car is approximately a third less than a petrol only car – but only once you’ve recovered the cost of the conversion.
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
Counting stars using estimation
Decide on a systematic way to estimate the number of objects in an image
In this engaging STEM activity, designed for secondary school students, learners will take images from the Hubble telescope and use them to estimate the number of stars contained in those images.
Activity: Counting stars using estimation
The first slide in the presentation below introduces students to the context of the challenge and pushes them to think about how mathematics can be used to solve a real-life problem.
The second slide asks the students to estimate the number of stars in the image. A Geogebra file “counting stars” which subdivides the enlarged image into smaller grids for sampling has been supplied.
Students will need to find a systematic way of estimating the number of objects in the enlarged image.
One approach is to subdivide the enlarged image into smaller sections, count some of these and work out the mean. This mean can then be taken as the number of objects per subsection and multiplied by the number of subsections to get an estimate of the number of objects in the enlarged image.
To obtain an estimate for the number of stars in the original image, this figure then needs to be multiplied by the number of enlarged images in the original image.
Students will need to consider when to round off and what degree of accuracy is appropriate.
Discussion points
Comparing the different estimates obtained by the students would be interesting. Looking at the differences in their estimates for the number of objects in the enlarged image first and then observing how this transferred to the differences in the original image.
Extending the problem
This method is used in a wide variety of contexts, from estimating the number of hairs on someone’s head to auditing the number of insects in an enclosure at a zoo.
This activity could be extended by looking at capture/recapture as a method of estimating animal populations.
Potential GCSE content covered
In this activity students will cover mean average, rounding and accuracy and reasoning from calculations.
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
Model boat maths challenge for GCSE
Calculate the distance a model boat will travel across water
Two friends are on opposite banks of a river which is 30m wide. One of them has a model boat and plans to send it across the river to the other. The boat has a small motor which moves it forward. Once the boat is in the water, it cannot be steered. Can your students calculate the distance that the model boat will need to travel across the water?
This fun maths challenge will teach students about forces and motion and is perfect for GCSE students!
Activity: Model boat maths challenge for GCSE
The students can work individually or in pairs. Download the teacher presentation below and allow the students some time to read the task on the first slide, then show them slide 2.
Students will need to find the distance downstream from the starting point. A generalised approach to such problems should be introduced along with slide 2.
Leave the students to work on the task and then compare approaches and answers. A GeoGebra file has been supplied to help with the discussion.
Problem Solving
The students can tackle the problem in a number of ways. Some may choose to look at the path of the boat at 1 second intervals, possibly plotting the path on a graph. This is the way the GeoGebra file works. Others may use trigonometry to find the angle the boat travels and then use this with the 30m width of the river to find the distance downstream.
Another approach would be to use a scale drawing.
Pythagoras theorem or trigonometry can be used to find the displacement of the boat from its original position.
The GeoGebra file may be useful to students who wish to gather some results for the general approach or to check their answers.
Discussion Points
This activity could provide an opportunity to introduce vectors and possible resultant force, making a connection with Physics.
Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches would provide students with the opportunity to consolidate their learning.
Extending the problem
It could also be possible, with some students, to consider how to point the boat upstream, so that it ends up at the point directly opposite the start.
Potential GCSE content covered
In this activity students will cover graphs, Pythagoras theorem and vectors.
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
Flowcharts for shapes
Create a flowchart which identifies the properties of different shapes
Flowcharts show the order in which a series of events is to be carried out. They are used for lots of purposes including; programming microcontrollers with instructions, mapping processes and sorting.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
An engaging activity in which students will make a flowchart to sort various shapes and ensure that each shape finishes in a unique place at the end of the flowchart.
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
Mathematical measuring - lengths of leaves
The natural environment – measuring leaves
Trees and their leaves are an important part of our natural environment. We can use our maths and science knowledge to better understand them and hence the environment around us!
In this activity each participant chooses a tree to collect six leaves from. Once the whole class has collected their leaves, return to the classroom to measure the lengths and widths of six leaves from a single tree. Place this data in a table and then calculate the mean average length and width of the leaves from the tree.
As a class discuss the meaning of these values. What do they tell us about the size of the leaves on each tree sampled?
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
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 maths and science.
This activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach learners how to collect data and calculate the mean value of a data set. It could also be used as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on the use of maths and science to understand the natural environment.
Tools/resources required
Access to an outside area with trees and leaves
Rulers and/or tape measures
Calculators
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.
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
Create a map of local flora and fauna
Gather information about local flora and fauna and create a map with coordinates showing the location of plants and animals
In this engaging activity for KS2, students will work in groups to collect information about the flora and fauna in their area. They will then create a map that displays the location of these plants and animals using coordinates.
This is one of a set of free STEM resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within maths and science. This resource combines understanding of the natural world with maths skills, to create a map and guidebook of the local flora and fauna.
A fun and practical exercise in which students will take real measurements of the area and use grid paper to create a scale representation. Additionally, students will incorporate digital photographs or drawings of the flora and fauna to create informational pages for the guidebook.
For optimal results, it is advisable to conduct this activity in small groups. Selecting a suitable location is crucial, which could be the school grounds, nearby park, or other accessible area such as a local forest.
It may be best if only one team member produces the map, and the other focus on measurement and describing the observed flora and fauna. The flora and fauna could include plants, trees, observed birds and wildlife and insects.
This activity will take approximately 80-120 minutes to complete.
Tools/resources required
Access to an appropriate outside area with flora and fauna
Pencils
Rulers
Clipboards
Digital cameras
Grid sheets to map the local area
Tape measures
Chalk
Glue sticks or sticky tape
The engineering context
Environmental engineers across the globe engage in the mapping of flora and fauna to monitor changes in the natural world. Their research spans a variety of areas, including the impact of deforestation in the Amazon, the effects of climate change in the Polar regions, and the consequences of flooding in Asia.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will be able to draw a map, they will be able to plot the positions using coordinates and they will be able to create, identify, and describe flora and fauna. Additionally, they will be able to use SI units for lengths/distances and they will be able to measure an area and scale it onto a map.
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
Tally chart activity
In this interactive and engaging activity, students will create a tally chart to collect data and discover the most popular colours in the class. Get ready to observe, count, and tally as you learn more about your classmates’ colour preferences. By the end of this activity, you will not only have a beautiful visual representation of your classes’ favourite colours, but you will also develop your data collection and analysis skills.
Activity
This activity is one of a set of free STEM resources developed to support teaching the primary national curriculum and key topics within maths and science.
In this activity, learners will produce a tally chart of favourite colours in a class. They will split into groups and go around to the other learners in the class, recording their favourite colours in their chart. They will then add up the totals and discuss their results.
This activity could be used as a main lesson to develop knowledge and understanding of recording and displaying data methods or as part of a wider scheme of learning focusing on statistics. It could also be used as a starting point for learning based on the use of colour in Design & Technology.
How long will this activity take?
This activity will take approximately 40-60 minutes to complete.
Why do we use tally charts?
Tally charts are used to collect and organise data visually. They provide a quick and efficient way to record and count occurrences or responses. Tally charts help simplify data collection, making it easier to analyse and interpret information and identify patterns or trends.
The engineering context
Transport engineers use tally charts to record how many vehicles, and of what types, pass through road junctions or along busy roads; this helps them to plan the timings of traffic lights and identify routes where changes are needed.
Engineers need an understanding of colour when producing aesthetically pleasing solutions for clients.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will be able to construct a tally chart to record and analyse data about their favourite colours.
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
Magic Square puzzles
This engaging magic square puzzle activity for KS1 delves into the realm of number arrangements and challenges students to uncover the magic hidden within these intriguing square grids.
This activity is one of a set of free STEM resources developed to support teaching the primary national curriculum and key topics within maths and science. This resource focuses on developing the ability to add numbers using Magic Square grids.
This activity could be used as a starter or main activity to introduce maths problem solving using addition. Learners could complete it in pairs or small groups. Although this activity is designed to be carried out in a playground (which has the advantages of scale and allows chalk to be removed), it could equally be done on paper in a classroom.
How long will this activity take?
This activity will take approximately 35-60 minutes to complete. Download the worksheets below for a handy step-by-step guide and lesson plan.
What are magic squares?
Magic squares are intriguing mathematical arrangements of numbers within a square grid, where the sum of the numbers in each row, column, and diagonal is the same. Each number is unique within the square, and the challenge lies in finding the right arrangement to achieve the magical property. Magic squares have a long history dating back to ancient times and have captivated mathematicians and enthusiasts alike. They possess symmetrical and symmetrically complementary patterns, adding to their aesthetic appeal. Magic squares can vary in size, from 3x3 grids to larger ones, presenting a wide range of complexity and opportunities for exploration within recreational mathematics.
The engineering context
Engineers need to solve several puzzling problems when designing products. For example, chemical engineers must determine the amount and combination of ingredients required to create tasty and effective toothpaste.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will be able to solve Magic Square problems using addition, they will be able to add small numbers by mental arithmetic, and they will be able to create Magic Square grids of varying sizes and difficulty.
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
Practical probability
In this engaging activity, students will investigate the likelihood of selecting different fruits based on the number of each type in the bag, and they will examine the concept of probability, exploring how it relates to ‘chance’.
Through observation and careful analysis, learners will gain a solid understanding of probability and its application in real-world scenarios, developing their ability to make educated predictions, estimate outcomes and making informed decisions.
This activity is one of a set of STEM resources developed to support teaching the primary national curriculum and the delivery of key topics within maths and science. This resource focuses on probability.
This activity serves as an excellent main lesson to introduce learners to the fundamental concepts of probability. As they delve into the calculations and reasoning involved, learners will sharpen their probability skills and enhance their grasp of numerical concepts such as ratios and proportions.
By the end of this activity, participants will emerge with a strengthened ability to work out and comprehend probabilities while reinforcing their overall number skills. So, get ready to dive into probability, where every fruit-filled selection unveils a fascinating lesson in chance and uncertainty.
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes approximately 30-40 minutes to complete. Download our fun probability experiment worksheet below to begin.
The engineering context
Probability is important to engineers as it examines the likelihood of an event happening so that risks can be reduced. For example, a rail engineer will test the train tracks for a new high-speed train to reduce the probability of failure.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will be able to calculate the probability of picking an item of fruit from a bag.
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
Times table bingo
**In this thrilling times table bingo game, we combine the excitement of bingo with the challenge of mastering multiplication. **
Students race against the clock to quickly identify the correct number on the bingo cards as the teacher calls out different multiplication problems to solve. They need to be prepared to think fast and strategise to complete lines and patterns or even achieve a full-house victory! Whether a beginner or a times table whiz, this game is an entertaining way to reinforce time tables knowledge.
Activity
This activity is one of a series of accessible STEM resources to support teaching the primary national curriculum and key topics within maths and science.
In this activity, learners will solve a series of multiplication problems read out by the teacher. They will use these answers to play bingo, aiming to complete their given card with their responses; this will improve and reinforce learners’ multiplication skills in a fun and engaging context.
Learners could play in small teams, pairs or as individuals. Students who win each round of the game could win a prize as a reward and an incentive to other learners.
This multiplication bingo game could be used as a starter activity covering learning from a previous lesson, a plenary exercise reinforcing learning that has just occurred, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on multiplication and division.
How long will this activity take?
This activity will take approximately 25-40 minutes to complete. Download the free handouts below for step-by-step guides and printable bingo cards.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will be able to multiply numbers together using the 2-, 5- and 10-times tables, they will be able to solve multiplication problems using mental arithmetic, and they will be able to use correct mathematical statements and terminology relating to multiplication problems.
The engineering context
Engineers must use mathematics knowledge and skills regularly as part of their job. For example, calculating the strength of a material, the speed of a vehicle, the sizes of products or quantities of parts needed.
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
Salute - KS1 maths card game
Get ready to engage their mathematical skills in this fast-paced and interactive math card game.
This game of Salute will challenge addition abilities, help improve number recognition, and enhance critical thinking skills. It promotes quick thinking, decision-making, and collaboration, making it a perfect activity to strengthen mathematical foundations while having fun.
This activity could be used as a starter activity covering learning from the previous lesson, a plenary activity reinforcing learning that has just taken place, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on addition and subtraction.
The rules
Form groups of three and get ready for an engaging activity. Here’s how it works:
Players 1 and 2 each select a numbered card from a pile and hold it against their forehead, facing outward. Make sure they cannot see their own number.
Player 3 adds the two numbers together and announces the total.
Players 1 and 2 use their deduction skills to guess the numbers on their cards based on the total announced by Player 3.
Rotate the roles, with each player taking turns as Player 1, Player 2, and Player 3, and repeat the game.
This entertaining game will challenge your observation and mental calculation abilities while providing a fun opportunity to collaborate and strategise with your group members.
For added competition, a time limit could be set on how long learners have to answer each question.
The game can be played until all learners have had a go in the different roles or as many times as required.
How long will this activity take?
This activity will take approximately 25-40 minutes to complete. Download our free, printable numbered cards below to begin. The numbers 1-20 are provided in line with the KS1 curriculum, but if extra challenge is required, these can be added to.
The engineering context
Engineers must regularly use mathematics knowledge and skills as part of their everyday job. For example, adding up how many parts are needed to build an aeroplane, calculating how strong a bridge needs to be or working out how much material is required to make the surgical gown for a hospital.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will be able to read the numbers 1-20, solve addition problems using the numbers 1-20, and they will be able to add one and two-digit numbers up to 20.
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
Easy cookie recipe - KS1 maths: Scaling and ratios
This resource focuses on developing the understanding of ratio, fractions and scaling, by scaling up ingredients in a recipe. It could also be linked to learning in food technology, to demonstrate a practical application of maths.
In this activity, students will embark on a delicious culinary adventure as they learn to expand an easy cookie recipe to create larger batches. Scaling up a recipe requires careful calculation and understanding of ingredient proportions and ratios, making it a perfect opportunity to enhance mathematical skills while indulging in the sweet rewards of baking.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will be able to solve a scaling-up problem involving a recipe using maths skills.
The engineering context
Food engineers are employed in food processing, machinery, packaging, and ingredient manufacturing. When a new food product, e.g., a breakfast cereal, has been developed, they may have to plan to scale up the production to make thousands of boxes of it each day.
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 baking highlights with us @IETeducation
Measuring time - KS1 maths
In this engaging experiment, students will learn how to measure time by recording the time it takes to complete a walking race where the winner is the last person to cross the line, not the first!
This resource is part of a series created to support the primary national curriculum. Its purpose is to aid in teaching essential topics in mathematics and science.
Activity
In this particular activity, students will participate in a slow walking race and measure the time it takes to complete it. Working in small teams, they will use stopwatches to time each other and record the data. The collected results will be organised and discussed as a class, using terms such as faster, slower, and quicker.
This activity serves as a central lesson to teach students how to gather data through measurement and apply their numerical skills in a practical setting. It can also be utilised as one of several activities within a broader learning framework emphasising using mathematics and science to comprehend time measurement.
This activity is suitable for groups of 4 or more participants and can be conducted in various settings such as the classroom, hall, or outdoors.
The distance for the slow walk race can be adjusted to accommodate the available space, with a recommended length of 5 meters. It is ideal to mark the start and finish lines using tape or any suitable material within the available space.
Before starting the activity, ensure that the learners understand how to properly operate the stopwatches, including starting, stopping, and resetting functions. The teacher should provide a demonstration in advance to ensure clarity.
How long will this activity take?
This activity will take approximately 40-60 minutes to complete. Download the activity sheet below for a step-by-step lesson plan.
The engineering context
Accurate timing plays a crucial role for robotics engineers. They must determine the speed range at which two-legged robots can walk without losing balance. These engineers design robots to assist astronauts in space missions and perform demanding tasks like heavy lifting in factory settings.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will be able to measure the time it takes to finish a race, they will be able to sort and compare time data, and they will be able to use the terms faster/slower to describe the time result of the race.
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
Treasure hunt
In this activity learners will look at different methods to find position and direction on a map. They will learn how to use coordinates and bearings using angle and distance. They will work with a pirate treasure map and a series of worksheets to work out where the treasure is. Differentiated worksheets allow the learners to progress from using simple coordinates and vector coordinates to polar coordinates using bearings with angles and distances.
This activity could be used as a main lesson activity, to teach learners how to use coordinates and angles. Further number skills may be used to work out map scale and distances.
Download our activity sheet and other related resources 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.
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.