In this activity students design and model a 3D robot arm. Robot arms are an example of a programmable system. They are used in a wide variety of industrial applications, ranging from loading machines to assembling cars, welding parts together and spray painting products. They are also used in applications such as...

This lesson develops the concept of modelling linear and exponential growth. In particular students will enhance their understanding of:

• Translating between descriptive, algebraic, tabular, and graphical representation of the functions.
• Recognizing how and why a quantity changes per unit...

This is a problem solving lesson, designed to help you assess how well students are able to:

• Interpret a situation and represent the variables mathematically.
• Select appropriate mathematical methods.
• Interpret and evaluate the data generated.

The problem is set in the...

This resource requires problem solving using skills in both applying geometrical concepts and modelling a situation using functions.

Students investigate rolling cups of different shapes and dimensions. They use ideas of similarity to link together the wider diameter with narrow diameter, slant length, and...

This is a problem solving lesson, designed to help you assess how well students are able to:

This lesson unit is intended to help you assess how well students are able to:

• Interpret a situation and represent the constraints and variables mathematically
• Select appropriate mathematical...

From the Integrating Mathematical Problem Solving project by Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI), this activity shows that derivatives can help to manage risk. The market in derivatives has grown enormously in recent years. On average, speculators break even. The mathematical ideas covered are:
•...

This problem solving resource is intended to help students compare two linear functions as approximations to the relationship between Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature and consider under what circumstances each of the approximations may be reasonable.

The two methods given are

 ‘To convert from...

This resource uses the context of the British Challenge for the America's Cup to explore composite and nano materials.  The video uses the challenge to build the highest performing racing yacht as an introduction to composite materials and how they are designed to improve their properties for a specific use.  This...

This resources  provides a space themed introduction to the topic of E-textiles. It looks at some of the technologies used, provides examples of products that are made possible by E-textiles and provides some hands-on examples of how you can bring E0textiles into your classroom.

This resources provides students with an introduction to the topic of modern materials. It provides an overview of what modern materials are and why we might use them for different products. The specific materials included are:

• Nanotechnologies
• Liquid crystal displays
• Graphene
...

This resource explores the topic of advanced metals, including titanium and metal foams. It provides examples of how the metals are used in engineering and space, explores the properties of the materials and suggests investigation activities that students can use to gain a greater understanding of the topic.

Biomimicry is based on the idea that we can take inspiration from nature when solving problems in design and engineering.  Biopolymers are polymers made from natural sources. This resource provides a great introduction to biomimicry and biopolymers. It provides examples of biomimicry and biopolymers and suggests...

A coated metal has a coating applied to the surface to enhance or change its functional or aesthetic properties. This resources explores the topic of coated metals, specifically anodising, galvanising, powder coating, dip coating, electroplating. 

From the Charles Darwin Trust, these materials help children to understand about life cycles, food chains, interdependence and adaptation. Children look at the growth of cabbages and the life cycles of two insects, the cabbage white butterfly and the Ichneumon wasp. Children see how these life cycles are...

Produced by the Charles Darwin Trust, these materials will help children to observe and understand their natural environment. In doing so, they will develop their skills of observation, communication and interpretation.

The activities help children to:
* Recognise how Darwin looked at the natural...