Growing seedlings in compostable home-made paper containers 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 resource focuses on plants and how they grow. Learners will make a compostable plant container, plant and grow a seed. Plants are an important part of our natural environment. We can use our science knowledge to better understand them and hence the environment around us! Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links In this activity learners will make a compostable plant box and then plant and grow a seed that can later be grown outside. This activity could be used as a main lesson activity, to teach learners how to plant seeds and care for their growth. They will also gain an understanding of what seeds need to grow i.e. sunlight, soil and water. It could be used as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focussing on the use of science to understand the natural environment. It could also be used to develop initial understanding of nets (making 3D forms from 2D shapes), contributing to learning in maths. It could also be used to start a discussion on the environment, as the container is biodegradable, whilst many traditional plant pots are made from polymers (which in turn are made from non-renewable oil), which take hundreds of years to decompose. 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 free activity sheet 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

In this fun science activity for kids, learners will be shown the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees, in terms of their foliage and changes across the seasons. The difference will be reinforced by comparison with behaviours relating to the wearing of clothing. This exercise could also include the creation of a ‘class tree’ where learners write their names on leaves and attach them to a paper representation of a tree on a noticeboard. 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 focuses on understanding the difference between different types of trees. This activity could be used as a main lesson activity. It could also be used as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on the use of science to understand the natural environment. This activity will take approximately 30 – 50 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Projector Noticeboard with ‘tree’ structure assembled from strips of brown sugar paper Paper for learner leaves Safety scissors (unless leaves are pre-cut) What is the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees? Deciduous trees lose their leaves in autumn. Evergreen trees, on the other hand, keep their needles (or pines) all year. Deciduous and evergreen are the terms used in the national curriculum, but some learners may find hardwood and softwood easier. Hardwoods come from deciduous trees and softwoods come from evergreen/coniferous trees. These terms are just types of wood and not the properties of the wood – hardwoods are not necessarily hard (balsa is soft enough that it can be marked using a thumbnail) and softwoods are not necessarily soft (parana pine is used to make wooden stairs). Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to state the differences between a deciduous and an evergreen tree and they will be able to describe how a deciduous tree changes with the seasons. Download the free The Difference Between Deciduous and Evergreen Trees 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

Using the effects of air pressure to defy gravity Gravity is defied in this super simple gravity-free water experiment. Children use the effects of air pressure to make it look as though there is zero gravity in an upside-down glass of water. Get your children to fill a glass with water, place a piece of card over it and turn it upside down. Discuss how gravity works, why gravity is important, and how the water stays in the glass. Gravity discovery is exciting and using a hands-on experiment with minimal equipment will make a gravity discovery lesson the highlight of their day. Tools/resources required Drinking glass Access to a sink and/or water Small pieces of thick card (preferably coated/shiny) to cover the glass This activity could be used as a starter or main activity to introduce the effects of gravity and air pressure, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on different types of forces. Use the content for gravity discovery and to think about why gravity is important, how gravity works and most importantly spark a life-long science interest with your class and children. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

This fun science activity for kids will teach students how deciduous trees change across the seasons. Students will then have the opportunity to track and record how an individual tree changes over the period of a year. In this activity learners will be shown how a deciduous tree changes across the seasons, then either as a class or individually recording how an individual tree changes over the school year. This activity is inspired by Greek mythology. A dryad is a mythical Greek creature, often associated with forests. They are said to be female nymphs who inhabit trees or woods and protect them from harm. Dryads have been featured in many stories throughout history, and they often symbolize the beauty and power of nature. This activity could be introduced as part of a main lesson activity at the start of the new year. It could then be followed up on a weekly (or periodic) basis over the year, with learners building up a record of how the identified tree within the school grounds changes over time. This could be used either to create a diary, a logbook, or it could form the basis for a classroom display. This is a long-term activity which can run for the duration of the school year. Following an initial introduction, individual learners or table groupings could be responsible for completing the diary on a weekly basis. If carried out by individuals, different learners could be allocated the responsibility each week, progressing through the class register. An appropriate tree within the school grounds needs to be identified. Ideally a tree visible from the classroom would be used. As applicable by local requirements, risk assessments may need to be carried out if the learners need to go outside the school building to carry out this activity. For continuity it is advantageous to have a set position from which the picture or observations are made. Tools/resources required Projector Copies of the How do deciduous trees change handout Digital cameras (if required) with access to suitable printing facilities The engineering context Environmental engineers are tasked with improving the quality of the natural environment around them. The more they understand about this, the better they can do their jobs. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to describe how a deciduous tree changes with the seasons. 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 drums and earmuffs from different materials, to test the amount of noise they make and dampen In this engaging STEM activity learners will develop their knowledge and understanding of sound. They will learn how to make a homemade drum using different materials and test how each material affects the sound. They will learn how to make a homemade set of earmuffs using different materials and test how well each material dampens the sound. Musical instruments bring joy and entertainment to millions of people in the world every day, but do you know how they work? Let’s find out! 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 focuses on making a DIY drum and set of earmuffs, using different materials to investigate their effects on sounds. This activity could be carried out as individuals or in small groups, used as a main lesson activity to develop knowledge and understanding of how sound works, or as part of a wider scheme of learning focusing on sound and musical instruments. An optional extension could be for students to decorate the drum and earmuffs to personalise them and add visual appeal. This exercise will take approximately 70 – 90 minutes. Tools/resources required Container, bowl or bucket for the drum body Different materials for the drum skin, such as plastic bags, tissue paper, normal paper and assorted fabrics Drumsticks (pieces of wood or pencils could be used instead) Strips of card Scissors Different materials for the earmuffs, such as cotton wool, cardboard, foam or polystyrene PVA glue, glue sticks and/or sticky tape The engineering context Sound engineers try to ensure that music is recorded in a way that produces good results for the listener. It is extremely important that they understand how sound is both created and dampened, and which materials work well for this. An understanding of how sound is both created and dampened is vital to the development of products for the music industry. For example, musical instruments, earphones, speakers, and portable music players. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this fun STEM project students will be able to make a drum and test the amount of noise made and a set of earmuffs that test how well they dampen sound. Finally, they will be able to investigate the effects of different materials on sound. 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.

See how words change when reflected in a mirror We use mirrors everyday to see what we look like. Car drivers use them to see cars behind them, to help them drive and park safely. However, is the image we see the same as if we were to look from the direction of the mirror? Through this fun STEM activity, students will gain an understanding of how light reflects off mirrors. By utilising reverse writing, students will observe how words transform when reflected in a mirror. This exercise provides an opportunity for students to practice reverse writing and make notes. This resource is part of a series of free STEM resources developed to aid in teaching the primary national curriculum, specifically targeting key topics in maths and science. The focus of this activity is on the reflection of light off mirrors and other reflective surfaces, and the use of reverse writing to observe the phenomenon. This activity can be used as a starter or main activity to introduce light and build on experiences to explain how light travels. It can be carried out individually or in small groups. This activity demonstrates how light travels in straight lines. Students will first write their name and see it reflected in different directions, which will create learner discussion. Students will then place the mirror on the right-hand side of the paper, which will allow the writing to be read correctly. The teacher may wish to demonstrate the first steps, then allow the learners to reverse write with the mirror placed on the right-hand side. This will allow students to see their writing develop the correct way around. Note that when writing in reverse, learners must reverse the letters, not just put them in reverse order. When the learners are more confident reverse writing, they can be tasked with writing messages to their friends. Tools/resources required Small mirrors Paper The engineering context Engineers need to have a good understanding of how light travels and is reflected off surfaces. This is vital when engineers design rear-view mirrors for cars, periscopes for submarines and giant telescopes to look at the stars. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will be able to understand what happens when light is reflected off a mirror and they will be able to reverse write and read it in a mirror. 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

Examine water droplets by making rain We often complain about rain when it gets us wet, but do you know what causes it to fall? In this activity learners perform a fun yet simple experiment to investigate the water cycle. Spray shaving foam on top of a glass of water to create a ‘cloud’, add food colouring to represent water droplets, and watch as the cloud fills up, producing ‘rain’. Discuss findings as a class. Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links This activity could be used as a starter or main activity to introduce the causes of rain, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focussing on seasonal changes and the weather. This is one of a set of resources developed to support the delivery of key topics within maths and science and the teaching of the primary national curriculum. Tools/resources required Drinking glasses Access to a sink and/or source of water Shaving foam Food colouring Pipettes Download 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 do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.

Using paper and a CD to create rainbow reflection patterns This activity could be used as a starter or main activity to introduce the concept of reflection, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on how light behaves. 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. Activity overview In this activity learners will use a torch and a CD to create ‘rainbow’ reflection patterns on a piece of paper. They will learn about how light reflects off objects, the colours that make up white light and how these are separated when a torch is shone onto a CD. Working in the dark can be potentially dangerous, so ensure all risk assessments are in place and learners are not moving around the room whilst the lights are switched off. Learners should see different colours reflect off the CD and onto the paper to create a rainbow effect. They could move the torch around to create different patterns of colour. The white light from the torch is made up of seven different colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet). These are split into their separate colours by the CD and reflected onto the paper stuck to the wall, thus creating a rainbow effect! This is a quick and easy rainbow experiment that will take approximately 15-30 minutes. Tools/resources required A3 paper or thin card Torches Compact discs (CDs) Masking tape Access to room that can be made dark The engineering context An understanding of light and reflection are vital to the development of photography, lighting, and security equipment. For example, cameras, smart lighting systems, and alarm sensors. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity students will know that white light is made up of seven different colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet), they will have an understanding of how light reflects off objects and they will be able to use a torch, paper and CD to create rainbow reflection patterns. Download the Easy rainbow experiment activity sheets for free! All activity sheets, worksheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Learn how to describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials In this activity, participants evaluate several everyday products, identifying the properties they need and the materials that would be suitable to make form. What are the properties that products need to be able to fulfil their required function: hard, soft, strong, weak, flexible, bendy, recyclable? What are the reasons why specific types of materials are used to make products? Understanding this will sow the seeds for learners to become informed consumers. As a class, consider a range of materials and discuss what properties are typically important. For example: Which bag is best for carrying heavy shopping: plastic or fabric? Which bowl would be best for a baby: glass or plastic? Which chair would be best for the outdoors: cardboard or plastic? 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 resource focuses on the evaluation of everyday products and what materials they are made from. Download the free activity sheets! 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 Several actual products that the learners can hold and discuss 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 classroom learning 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

Creative writing activity to use poetry skills and complete the fun activity sheet. The poem for primary school children focuses on Santa Claus and the magic of following your ambition to think about how you can use your skills and work in a job you love. When I am big, I want to be… First, read the poem, then add your own final verse/s. When you are completing the poems try and write in a similar style and use descriptive language. 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. Oh ho ho, and please do share your finished poems with us @IETeducation! #SantaLovesSTEM. If you enjoy activities like this, why not try to write a poem about space or the ocean too.

Learn how to make Rudolph fly like a rocket with our festive science experiment. This quick and simple science experiment will teach students about the result of the chemical reaction between an alkali (bicarbonate of soda) and an acid (white wine vinegar) when you try and trap the gas that is produced. Top tip: do this one outside, as it can be messy. What equipment will you need? A plastic camera film canister, bicarbonate of soda (or an effervescent tablet), white wine vinegar, paper, scissors colouring pencils, a red nose, sticky tape How to do it? Step 1 Cut out a piece of paper so that it is tall and wide enough to wrap around your plastic canister. Step 2 On the paper, draw your very own Rudolph and colour it in. Step 3 Stick the red nose on Rudolph. Step 4 Take the lid off your plastic canister and turn it upside down so the open end is face down on the table. Step 5 Wrap the picture around the plastic canister and stick it in place. Step 6 Turn the canister the other way up so the opening faces upwards (Rudolph should now be upside down). Step 7 Fill the canister halfway with white wine vinegar. Now this is where you need to be super speedy: Step 8 Drop an effervescent tablet into the canister, put the lid on tightly, then turn it upside down (Rudolph will now be the right way up). Wait for him to blast off! Watch the video from Marvellous Marthy and download the free activity sheet to join in the fun this Christmas! 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. Oh ho ho, and please do share your experiment highlights with us @IETeducation! #SantaLovesSTEM.

Build a simple snowball catapult capable of firing cotton wool balls in this festive activity for kids. By the end of this activity, you will be able to: Engineer a catapult that harnesses potential energy and then releases it quickly, transferring that potential energy into movement as the snowball is fired into the distance. How long will this activity take? This activity will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. To extend your catapult design skills and understanding of levers, try the Build a popsicle stick catapult activity. What equipment will you need? 9 x lollipop sticks, 2 x elastic bands, cotton wool balls How to do it Step 1 Stack 5 of the lollipop sticks on top of one another. Step 2 Place the 6th lollipop stick across the stack of 5 sticks in the shape of a cross. Step 3 Place the remaining 3 sticks on top of the ‘cross’ stick, like the first 5 lollipop sticks. Step 4 Wrap the elastic bands tightly around the thick stack of lollipop sticks at either end. Step 5 Pull a piece of cotton wool from your cotton wool ball and roll it around to make a snowball. Step 6 Place the snowball on the longest end of the ‘cross’ stick, and press down on the shorter end using one hand. Step 7 Using the other hand, press back on the snowball and then fire! Watch Marvellous Marthy and download the free activity sheet today! 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. Oh ho ho, and please do share your experiment highlights with us @IETeducation! #SantaLovesSTEM.

Climate change and electricity? Investigate types of circuit with buzzers and lights to experiment and find out which is best for our planet. In this science activity for Key Stage 2, students will investigate different types of circuits to determine the most sustainable ones. They will then build their own Christmas lights by making a circuit with LED bulbs and crocodile leads. This is an engaging experiment that will encourage students to have fun with science! Students will first compare series circuits against parallel circuits. A series circuit is a configuration where components are connected one after another in a single path, creating a single flow of current. In contrast, a parallel circuit is a setup where components are linked across multiple paths, allowing current to split and flow through each component independently. Following this, students will replace the battery pack in their circuit with a solar panel. Students should consider the following questions: Are the LEDs as bright as with the battery pack? How does the weather affect the brightness of the LEDs? Can you add as many LEDs to your parallel circuit as you can with the battery pack? Solar power is a renewable energy source that is much better for our environment. In this activity, we use solar panels, which transfer solar energy into electrical energy and light energy without storing it. Solar panels aren’t useful for Christmas lights as it would mean that they would only work during the day if the solar panel were in direct sunlight. In order to use our Christmas lights at night, we would need to add a storage cell, such as a rechargeable battery, which could store the energy until we turn on the lights in the evening. We would still need to ensure that the solar panel is in direct sunlight during the day, though, to ensure our lights come on every evening. Next time you buy your Christmas lights, think about what you could do differently to help protect our environment, particularly Santa’s North Pole! Equipment required A 2 x AA battery pack and batteries A 3V solar panel At least eight crocodile leads At least 4 LEDs (Different colours if possible) 5V bulb to show the difference in light emitted Download the free Build your own Christmas lights 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. Oh ho ho, and please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation.

Play our card activity about animals that hibernate over the winter Play a fun, science flashcard game to learn about the different animals that hibernate over winter, where they hibernate, what they eat and how long they hibernate for. Although you might think a hibernating animal is just having a very long sleep, there’s actually some very clever stuff going on inside its body. Its body temperature, heart rate and breathing rate all drop, so that the animal uses less energy. It’s a game for two or more players. For an extra activity, we have included a crossword puzzle that uses words from the game to promote sticky learning. A free activity sheet and card templates are available to download. And please do share your learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETeducation.

Learn how to create a captivating retro lava lamp in this fun Christmas STEM activity for kids. Have a go at our mixtures and density experiment to create fun colour bubbles and explore science. Equipment you will need A jar Half a jar of sunflower oil Water Red food colouring Bicarbonate of soda or an effervescent tablet And a torch The engineering context Understanding the way different materials work and the properties they all hold is vital in creating and developing solutions to our world’s problems. Engineers are interested in the world around them and use these different materials as the basis of every solution they create. Watch the IET video with ‘Science with Bexy’ and download the activity sheet for free! All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable so that you can tailor them to your students and your schools’ needs. The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, helpful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Oh ho ho, please share your experiment highlights with us @IETeducation! #SantaLovesSTEM.

In this fun Christmas STEM activity, students will make their own slime – the gooey slippery stuff that’s fun to pull and stretch. This experiment will dive into the science behind this sticky stuff and encourage students to have fun with science. Download the activity sheet below or watch our video for step-by-step instructions. If you’re up for an extra activity, try our snow sparkle slime word search where you look for words used in the experiment. 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 a classroom lesson plan for free. And please do share your learning highlights and final creations with us on social media @IETeducation #SantaLovesSTEM

Making a model of a hydraulic boat lift using syringes This is one of a series of resources produced in association with Fairfield Control Systems that are designed to allow learners to use the theme of waterways to develop their knowledge and skills in Design & Technology, Engineering and Science. This resource is based on the Anderton boat lift and the use of hydraulic systems. The teacher will first discuss what is meant by a hydraulic system and how they are used in engineering applications such as cranes and brakes. The teacher will then demonstrate the steps shown in the presentation to make the model boat lift. Learners will then carry out the activity and produce their own models before showing their boat lift models to peers and asking what could be improved. This activity can be simplified (particularly for less able students) by pre-cutting the templates and corrugated cardboard to size. An exemplar model could be used to illustrate what the final boat life should look like. Print out the handout for learners to cut out and use the templates. As an extension students could investigate how much the boat lift can lift. This activity is designed to take between 45-70 minutes to complete. Tools/resources required Corrugated cardboard sheets 10 ml syringes Cable ties (Size: 20 cm length) 3 mm clear plastic tube Water and measuring jugs Food dye Pencils Sticky tack Adhesive Masking tape, sticky tape or hot glue gun (optional) Craft knife and cutting mat (teacher only) The engineering context The waterways (including their protection, maintenance and control) is an excellent context to explore opportunities that working in the engineering industry presents. For example, constructing locks, building narrowboats or making and maintaining boat lifts. Engineers often make models of working systems to test how they function. For example, a crane designer will make models of different crane designs to see which structures can provide the best support and which designs can lift the heaviest object. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this free resource students will be able to know the difference between pneumatic and hydraulic systems; know that 3D shapes can be constructed using templates; and be able to make a model of a simple boat lift model using syringes. 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.

In this exciting STEM activity, you will be given a variety of objects made from different materials. You will weigh each object and then measure its volume by immersing it in water. You will then use this information to calculate the density of each object. Activity to discover mass, volume and density This activity could be used as a main lesson to teach learners how to collect data through measurement and use number skills in a practical context. It could also be used as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning, focusing on using maths and science to understand the properties of materials. How do you calculate density? Density = Mass / Volume What is the James Webb Space Telescope? The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the largest and most powerful telescope ever to be launched into space. It is a monumental leap in space exploration, building on the legacy of the Hubble Space Telescope. The JWST is the next great space science observatory, with a primary mission to unravel the mysteries of the universe. It will address lingering questions and achieve groundbreaking revelations across all fields of astronomy. The JWST is equipped with a suite of cutting-edge instruments that will allow it to study the universe in unprecedented detail. These instruments will help us better understand the Solar System, the formation of stars and planets, and the evolution of galaxies. The JWST is a revolutionary telescope that will blaze new trails in exploration. It is already making headlines with its first images, and it is sure to continue to amaze us for years to come. Suggested learning outcomes By the end of this activity, students will be able to compare materials based on their density, and they will be able to measure the volume of water and the weight of an object. Students will also learn how to calculate density, and they will be able to communicate measurements using appropriate SI units. The engineering context Space Engineers must have a good understanding of density when they load cargo onto a spacecraft. They need to know the density of the materials they are loading to ensure the rockets have enough power to allow the spacecraft to lift off. 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