In this activity students explore why a water clock was the world's first programmable system. Programmable systems are by no means a modern invention. Many regard the first to be Ktesibios's water clock, which was invented approximately 2250 years ago.

The aim of this activity is that students apply what...

The Great British Space Dinner Challenge contains nine lessons:

Lesson 1: All Aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Sets the scene with a brief introduction the ISS and the Great British Space Dinner Challenge. Students develop a brochure about the ISS suitable for...

In this lesson aimed at lower primary, children find out about the uses of light bulbs, other than providing light. Children work scientifically observing, comparing and contrasting the features of different light bulbs and sorting them into groups according to similarities and differences. They then work as ‘light...

This paper from the May 2016 Using STEM Research Conference investigates the ways in which real world contexts can be used in D&T lessons, from local projects such as community gardening to global concerns such as climate change.

Author: Kay Stables

This lesson plan and classroom presentation explores some of the skills and knowledge needed to work in the field of biomechanical engineering. Combining knowledge from Biology, Design and Technology and Engineering, it asks students to investigate the design and development of a prosthetic arm. 

The...

Using the context of the well known story of the Three Little Pigs, pupils are introduced to the concept of the materials life cycle. A presentation aids learning about different building materials and how waste is created but can also be reduced. In the activity, pupils are invited to design recycled house ideas...

 In this lesson students will gain an understanding of  the properties of both hardwood and softwood timbers. Completion of a card match up task will demonstrate their understanding which forms useful revision notes for the examination. They will learn the names of different hardwoods & softwoods and their...

This activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), requires students to compete to make the strongest electromagnetic tool holder for a surgeon's robotic arm.

It is intended that students will be...

Inspired by the Born to Engineer video from Kim Cave-Ayland, an engineer whose work is helping to create a safe, low polluting power source that could change our energy future, this resource supports students to work with data on UK energy consumption, exploring how energy generation is managed and what type of...

In this activity, learners will use a vacuum former to manufacture a suitable casing for a programmable product. It...

This activity looks at water consumption on a local and global scale. Students learn about the main water contaminants and various methods of purification and the role of engineers and their approach to design challenges. The resource aims to inspire an interest in water conservation and to introduce students to...

In this activity, students investigate what is meant by fuel poverty. This could be used as a starter activity in mathematics or design and technology, with a focus on economic reasons for the development of sustainable power sources. Using the slides as stimulus...