In this full scheme of work, designed for a series of two-hour double-lessons, students develop a Mars Rover for NASA based on a standard VEX design. They learn about the components of a robotics system including control units and data communications, and work through a design process towards a prototype. The VEX...

In this activity students evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using biological control to halt the invasion of common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia. This is an invasive plant which is spreading across Europe. Because of illness caused by its allergenic pollen and competition with crops, it costs...

A quick audit for teachers to use to consider their own social and emotional skills.

This interactive excel file has separate sheets which deal with inverse proportion where the functions are linear, quadratic and square root. Each sheet begins with a statement of the proportional relationship and values so that the constant can be calculated and the...

Students find out about the Airbus company and its structure. To begin their prior knowledge of aircraft is considered through their ability to name parts of an aeroplane. They find out where airbus is based around the world and the type of work it undertakes. Airbus’ employee numbers and how they contribute to the...

In this resource students investigate the company Apple. To begin they are shown a short clip about Apple as a company and its history. They find out where Apple is based around the world and the type of work it undertakes. The structure of Apple and how it works with many other companies to produce it products is...

In this resource students investigate the company Dyson. To begin they are shown a short clip about how Dyson carry out the testing of their products. They find out where Dyson is based around the world and the type of work it undertakes. The structure of Dyson and how it has shifted production from the UK to Asia...

This starter activity can be used as an introduction to reverse engineering. Using the presentation Earphones and Headphones, students are asked to identify the product and its function. They consider the following questions:

These activities provide students with an understanding of the importance of fitness for purpose when designing new products. Students learn how to effectively dismantle and investigate an engineered product to determine its function/purpose.

One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. An enjoyable and reliable practical activity allowing students to compare factors affecting photosynthesis. Possible investigations could include the rate of photosynthesis in sun and shade plants,...

In this practical, students investigate the effects of different levels of minerals (nitrates, phosphates and potassium) on the growth of radishes. Students sow radish seed in ‘soil’ containing different levels of 3 minerals - nitrates, phosphates and potassium. These minerals are present inside N:P:K fertiliser...

One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. An intriguing way to demonstrate gravitropism in action over the course of a lesson. Using black film canisters, a freshly cut seedling stalk (hypocotyl...