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Physics
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Input, process and output
In this activity students will make a simple infrared circuit to develop their understanding of this technology.
Our “Time for a Game” worksheet introduces students to infrared technologies, using the technology behind the Nintendo Wii as a real-life example.
Through building and testing an infrared circuit, students will learn to identify which components are inputs and outputs, a critical skill that deepens their understanding of how electronic systems function and enables them to design more complex circuits in the future.
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 science and design and technology (DT). This can be effectively taught within systems and control, or electronic products approaches within design and technology, or through science with an emphasis on energy, electricity and forces.
Activity: Build and test an infrared circuit
Students will work in pairs to construct the circuit outlined in the “Time for a Game” worksheet. After building their circuits, they will test their functionality under different conditions and answer key questions about their design. This hands-on approach will allow students to identify the input and output components of the circuit, understand its performance in various lighting conditions, and consider how these factors would influence the design of a Wii controller.
The engineering context
By building and testing an infrared circuit, students will gain a practical understanding of the engineering process, from conceptualization to testing. Furthermore, this activity will inspire students to consider a career in engineering, as they experience firsthand the creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving that this field entails.
Suggested learning outcomes
Students will develop a working prototype of an electronic circuit, gaining practical experience in the process. They will learn to identify inputs and outputs in a circuit and test its performance under different conditions. Furthermore, they will have the opportunity to apply their findings to hypothetical design situations, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This activity will teach students the ability to explain how their research findings could affect their design ideas, enhancing their communication skills and technological literacy.
Download our activity sheet for free!
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download 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.
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Communications infrastructure
This activity makes students aware that when they watch TV, or use the phone, there is a huge expensive communications infrastructure that needs to be paid for and maintained.
Living in a highly technological world, where access to information and entertainment is at our fingertips, the Inform and Entertain Me topic is a gateway to engage and introduce students to the principles and technology that form the basis for communication devices that are used in our everyday lives.
It’s one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in science and design & technology (D&T).
Activity: Learning about the infrastructure technology that keeps phones, computers and WiFi working
This activity gives students an understanding of the technological infrastructure that lets mobile phones and other communication devices connect to one another.
Students will first view our infrastructure presentation, which explains the various components needed for communication networks (e.g., cell towers, base stations, cables, etc.). They will then investigate online how mobile phone networks and other communications systems work.
Students must create either a flow chart or a diagram that shows how these networks operate, explaining the key steps involved in the process.
Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan on infrastructure.
The engineering context
We need a robust infrastructure network if we’re to connect people and businesses regardless of their location. Engineers must work to ensure fast and dependable data transmission for our TV, radio and internet signals – much of which drives the entertainment that we all enjoy. It also underpins communication and data transfer for much of our essential services besides giving us a comfortable standard of living.
Suggested learning outcomes
In this activity, students will learn about artificial and geostationary satellites and their uses. They’ll make decisions about the use of modern communications technology based on social, environmental, and economic factors.
Download our activity sheet and related teaching resources
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
Download our classroom lesson plan and presentation and please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.
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Make an infrared game
In this activity, students will design a fun infrared ‘tag’ game.
It ideally needs to be preceded by our input, process and output activity as students must draw on their earlier work for designing the game.
It’s one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in engineering and design & technology (D&T).
Activity: Designing an infrared ‘tag’ game
Students will design a new version of the classic tag game using their electronics knowledge to create a fun interactive experience.
Learners will review our design brief to design a novelty “tag” game using emitter and detector circuits (which have been tested previously in input, process and output) to indicate when a player is “tagged”. The game needs to be easy to use and playable both indoors and outdoors.
As a class, students will review the key requirements of the brief and discuss these in pairs. They will then draw their design ideas with annotations. From their ideas, they’ll select one design for modelling using 3D CAD software. Finally, they should present their idea to the class for feedback on how it can be improved.
Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan on designing a fun infrared tag game.
The engineering context
Infrared technology has been used in the design of all sorts of fun devices, from TV remote controls to Wii remotes, mobile devices, and laser tag games. By understanding how this technology works, learners can start their journey to potential careers in computer games engineering.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to analyse a design brief. They’ll also be able to explain how research findings affect design ides as well as be able to generate ideas for a product. Finally, they’ll be able to produce a 3D CAD model of a design idea.
Download our activity sheet and related teaching resources
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
Download our classroom lesson plan and presentation and please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.
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Humans vs. robots
Consider ethical and moral issues around new technology
This engaging activity allows students to consider the social, ethical and moral issues associated with the development of new technology. The activity offers strong opportunities for cross-curricular work with PSHE, PSE, PSD.
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 science and design and technology (DT).
Activity: Consider ethical and moral issues around new technology
Students will be divided into groups and given a scenario: the creation of the world’s first entirely autonomous robot surgeon. Some groups, representing the engineers, scientists, and doctors who designed the robot, will argue for the continuation of the project. Other groups, representing patients’ groups and doctors’ unions, will argue against further development due to perceived risks. Using a newspaper article and worksheet as guides, students will formulate robust arguments for their assigned viewpoints. They’ll then pair up and debate the issue, striving to reach a mutually agreed way forward.
The engineering context
This activity demonstrates how engineers must grapple with not only the technical challenges of designing new technology but also its societal implications. It highlights the importance of considering varying viewpoints and ethical concerns when developing new technologies.
Suggested learning outcomes
Through this activity, students will gain a deep understanding of what remote surgery entails and the social, ethical, and moral implications of such technological advances. They’ll also learn to appreciate that different groups may have varying perspectives on scientific and technological progress. By engaging in structured debates, students will enhance their analytical skills, learn to articulate their viewpoints persuasively, and develop the ability to negotiate and compromise.
Download our activity sheet for free!
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download (including film clips!), and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation
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Heating through the ages
Consider history of energy sources and their pros and cons
This lesson plan is designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the changing use and types of energy sources over time. It’s an engaging resource that delves into how and why the variety of energy sources used domestically have evolved, offering a broader context for understanding the development of new types of energy sources and the factors propelling these changes.
Taking a journey through history, learners will see the evolution of energy sources, from primitive times to the present day. They’ll consider the advantages and disadvantages of different energy types and how technology and societal needs have influenced their adoption. This exploration will provide them with a foundation to understand the importance of new energy sources and the complexities involved in their development.
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 science, maths and design and technology (DT).
Activity: Considering the history of different types of energy sources and their pros and cons
In this activity, students will create a timeline showcasing the development and implementation of a specific energy source. They’ll start by brainstorming different types of energy sources used throughout history, then discuss how these sources are used in homes. Each team will research their allocated energy source, noting key points in its development, what made it popular, and factors that made it less desirable.
The engineering context
Every new energy source represents a triumph of engineering – a solution to a problem, an improvement on what came before. This activity will show students how engineers have shaped our energy landscape throughout history. By understanding the challenges and triumphs in developing new energy sources, students will gain a deeper appreciation for the field of engineering and may be inspired to become the problem solvers of the future.
Suggested learning outcomes
By participating in this activity, students will gain the ability to illustrate how mankind’s energy sources have evolved over time. They’ll understand the factors that necessitated and facilitated the change in our energy sources, and why some alternative sources were adopted faster than others. This comprehensive understanding will enable them to appreciate the complexities of developing new energy sources, and the economic and environmental considerations involved.
Download our 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.
Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation
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Heating effect of infra-red
In this activity students will consider the heating effects of infrared energy, and how this is used in a range of products. They will then develop an experiment to measure the heat output from different devices.
It’s one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in science (specifically physics) and design & technology (D&T).
Activity: Considering the heating effects of infrared energy and how this is used in a range of products
At the start of the activity students will brainstorm different ways energy appears in the home and what colour they associate with heat. In pairs, students will then discuss the ultimate fate of most energy (becoming heat) and why devices like TVs and computers get warm.
They’ll view our Cooking Devices presentation to identify the energy used to heat food. They’ll also examine appliances that produce infrared heat before designing an experiment to measure how much heat different devices produce.
Results must be recorded using our Results Table worksheet so that they can be analysed in terms of which devices heat most effectively. Students will then be asked a series of questions which reflect on how infrared energy is connected to the temperature changes.
Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan on infrared energy.
The engineering context
Understanding the principles of infrared heat can lead engineers to create and improve devices that warm objects directly, unlike convection heating which heats the air around an object.
Suggested learning outcomes
At the end of this lesson students will know how light and infrared travels as a wave. They’ll also understand the electromagnetic spectrum and its applications., as well as convection and the link between frequency and wavelength.
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
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Electromagnetic spectrum
Compare different types of electromagnetic waves
The electromagnetic spectrum is a fundamental part of our universe, influencing everything from the warmth of sunlight to the functionality of our electronics.
This activity delves into different types of electromagnetic waves and their everyday applications. It ties into key concepts like the electromagnetic spectrum, infra-red, wave, and frequency.
By investigating the technology used in the Nintendo Wii and designing an interactive ‘tag’ game, students will enjoy a hands-on, practical approach to learning.
As part of the ‘Time for a game’ scheme of work, this activity provides an electronics systems context for students to explore infrared technologies. Other activities include Inputs and outputs of design and Binary numbers.
This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3. It has been designed to support the delivery of key topics within mathematics and design and technology (DT).
Activity: Compare different types of electromagnetic waves
This is an engaging activity in which students investigate the technology used in the Nintendo Wii, exploring infrared communication. They can then apply this knowledge and understanding into the design of an interactive ‘tag’ game.
Download our activity overview and PowerPoint presentation for a detailed lesson plan for teaching students how to compare different types of electromagnetic waves.
The engineering context
Learning about the electromagnetic spectrum introduces them to principles critical to electrical and telecommunications engineering, such as understanding wave behaviour and frequencies.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will gain a solid understanding of how light and infrared travel as waves. They will comprehend the electromagnetic spectrum and its applications, as well as understand the link between frequency and wavelength. Furthermore, this activity nurtures critical thinking and independent investigation skills, providing a broader understanding of communication methods and technologies.
Download our activity sheet and related teaching resources
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.
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Design an information system
Design an information display system for disabled people
The importance of smart sensors in our daily routines is growing significantly. The Smart Sensor Communications topic focuses on what smart sensors are, how they are being used today and how they can be innovative in the future.
This engaging and thought-provoking activity introduces secondary school students to methods of looking at specific problems. To use the research and knowledge gained to find solutions to a problem, and to allow students to explore these solutions, however improbable they may seem.
Students should design an information display system for use in their school which can be used by those with disabilities. For an example of a system diagram use the ‘Systems diagram’ handout.
Students will communicate their solutions using annotated sketches. They should try and identify the Inputs and Outputs that are necessary.
Furnish the students with both information sheets, and explain that any solution should be considered, no matter how crazy or improbable it seems. They will need to produce annotated sketches of a number of solutions – emphasise that these need to be clear so that others can understand. For each solution, a block diagram should be produced showing the Input-Process-Output for the design.
How long will this activity take?
This activity will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
Tools/resources required
Woollen gloves
Blindfolds
Ear defenders
Graphical equipment
The engineering context
Engineers play a crucial role in the development and implementation of smart sensors in various industries. Smart sensors are sensors that can process and analyse data, allowing them to make decisions without human intervention. Engineers are responsible for designing and integrating these sensors into systems, ensuring that they function correctly and provide accurate and reliable data. They also play a vital role in the development of innovative ways to use smart sensors to improve various processes, including healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and many others. With the increasing demand for smarter and more efficient systems, engineers will continue to play a critical role in the advancement of smart sensor technology.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will be able to identify problems for a specific task, use various methods to research a problem and explore solutions.
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.
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
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Sustainable dancefloors: Fun STEM activity
Learn about dance floors that generate electricity and consider how output is linked to activity
The engineers behind the Watt Nightclub in Rotterdam turn the energy created by clubbers on the dance-floor into power for the lighting. There’s even a giant battery to monitor the energy and encourage the crowd to dance even more. Doing your bit for the environment doesn’t have to be boring!
This engaging STEM activity is perfect for KS3 students and gives them the opportunity to develop their understanding of graphs in an engineering context. Students will learn about dance floors that generate electricity and consider how output is linked to activity. There are a number of slides within the presentation that show different graphs and students are invited to develop their own descriptions to explain their shape.
Discuss as a class what the amount of electricity is dependent upon (for example, the number of dancers, how energetically they dance). Also discuss how these variables can change, e.g., they can increase steadily, decrease steadily, or vary over time.
Some students may raise the issue of the type of music being played. Popular, lively tracks are likely to get everyone on the floor, all dancing energetically, whereas a slower and/or less popular track immediately following will reduce the energy output (as people dance less energetically and/or a number of people go to get a drink, etc.).
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this free resource students will have an understanding of linear functions in practical problems and they will be able to construct linear functions from real-life problems and plot their corresponding graphs. They will also be able to discuss and interpret graphs modelling real-life situations.
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 the activity sheets for free!
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation.
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Build a simple communications device
Students build a communications device and develop a protocol to communicate with each other
This is an engaging and practical activity in which students will work in small teams to investigate the necessity of developing standards and protocols for communication using a basic electrical circuit.
Their objective is to build a basic communication device and establish communication between teams. Each team should receive a copy of the ‘Building the Communicator’ handout and proceed to assemble their circuits.
This activity is a great way to introduce students to the history and practical use of telecommunication while also engaging their creativity and problem-solving skills.
How long will this activity take?
This activity will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
Tools/resources required
Per team:
One non-latching push to make switch
Connecting leads
One light bulb (3V approx) and holder
One 3V power supply (best to use cells so that bulbs do not blow)
Supply of crocodile clips
The engineering context
Telemedicine engineers are professionals who specialise in designing, developing, and implementing technological solutions for remote medical care. They utilise their expertise in engineering, software development, and medical equipment to create systems that enable patients to receive medical care remotely. Telemedicine engineers also work closely with healthcare providers to understand their needs and develop solutions that address their challenges.
Telemedicine engineers play a critical role in expanding access to healthcare for patients in remote areas. They contribute to the development of cutting-edge technology that allows medical practitioners to deliver high-quality care to patients from a distance.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will be able to build a simple electrical circuit, design a code for easy transmission of messages between two teams and explain why global protocols are required.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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Wearable antennas
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
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Prosthetic devices
The development of new materials with incredible properties is changing the way we live. From LCD TVs to super light airliners, these materials have quickly found their way into pretty much all of the modern technology around us. One area where modern materials have made a huge impact is in the development of prosthetic devices. Some of these devices are beginning to outperform ‘natural’ body parts.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links to KS3 science materials
Using the short video ‘Bionic Limbs’, this activity is a quick, engaging introduction to a KS3 science materials lesson looking at the properties of modern materials. It encourages students to think about how technology is changing our society by generating their own ideas for prosthetic devices that they think will be realistic in the near future. There are takeaways for KS4 biology and KS3 product design.
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Download the activity sheet and quiz 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.
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Analogue and digital
From founding communications, such as the fire beacon, to being able to communicate with space, there is no denying that developments in communication have advanced at a rapid speed. This topic presents students with communications of the past, present and future, helping them to understand the principles that form the basis for these developments.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
An engaging activity introducing students to the differences between analogue and digital communication. An analogue signal can be rendered useless by small amounts of interference, whereas a digital signal remains coherent.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Download the activity sheets for free!
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
![IETEducation](https://d2w4qhtqw2dbsq.cloudfront.net/profile_live/3108890/small.jpg)
Aerodynamics timeline
In this lesson, students will learn about the development of aerodynamics through history.
It’s an engaging starter activity where students will be introduced to the concepts behind aerodynamic design, including how simple shapes can be tested in a wind tunnel and through water.
Learners will explore the basic principles of aerodynamics by looking at familiar products (such as cars) that have been designed for speed. As part of the lesson, students will examine how these products have evolved and how aerodynamic principles have influenced these developments. They’ll be asked to identify common features across different products and understand how these features all contribute to speed.
This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in science or design and technology (DT).
Activity: Learning about the history of aerodynamics
This activity will ask students to research images of a selection of cars and aeroplanes from the 20th and 21st centuries (without looking at exactly when they were made). Students will then try to arrange these images in chronological order and explain their decision-making process based on the aerodynamics of each vehicle.
Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan for teaching students about the history of aerodynamics.
The engineering context
From making the fastest Formula One car, to designing more fuel-efficient aeroplanes, aerodynamics is a fundamental skill for mechanical engineers. By exploring the evolution of cars and airplanes, students will develop an appreciation for how advancements in aerodynamics technology have shaped the look and design of many cars and aeroplanes over the years.
Suggested learning outcomes
Students will be able to identify trends in the development of aeroplanes and cars. They will gain an understanding of what influenced these developments and be able to explain the role of aerodynamics as part of this.
Download our classroom lesson plan and presentation for free.
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.
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Aerodynamics in action
Through this fun and engaging STEM activity, learners will understand how aerodynamic and streamlined shapes are used in our day to day lives and the design, technology, and engineering principles behind them.
This is a free resource aimed at secondary school children. Students will have the opportunity to learn about aerodynamic forces and aerodynamic design and how these design principles enhance speed and efficiency in a product. A brilliant engineering activity for kids.
Students will start to understand the basic principles of aerodynamics by looking at familiar products that have been designed with ‘speed’ in mind and through identifying features common to these products.
Later, they could start to explore the requirements of aerodynamic design through testing simple shapes in a wind tunnel and through water. The activity focuses on students acquiring an understanding of aerodynamics through testing, experimenting, and developing.
This activity is designed to be taught through science and design and technology simultaneously, as a cross-curricular project. However, it can also be tackled independently from each subject.
What do the images have in common? Why have they been designed in that shape? Could they be split into themed groups?
As an extension students could be asked to consider the social/economic and technological benefits (and drawbacks) of each example. This will give some reasoning behind the development of the final design and illustrate how there are many different factors affecting the design.
The engineering context
Aerodynamics refers to the way air moves around things. Anything that moves through the air reacts to aerodynamics. Aerodynamics acts on aeroplanes, rockets, kites and even cars!
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will be able to identify areas where aerodynamics is used in real life and they will be able to describe the social/economic and technological effect of the work.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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Mobile phone technology
The science behind communication technology
From founding communications, such as the fire beacon, to being able to communicate with space, there is no denying that developments in communication have advanced at a rapid speed. This topic presents students with communications of the past, present and future, helping them to understand the principles that form the basis for these developments.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
An engaging activity introducing students to the science behind communication technology, giving them an understanding of some of the vocabulary and concepts used.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Download the activity sheets for free!
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation