This Catalyst article is about a micro-hydroelectric power station on a river in Yorkshire. As oil prices soar and global warming threatens, the need for affordable green solutions to the energy crisis is ever increasing. Giant hydroelectric power stations, such as the Three Gorges Dam in China, will help to fulfil...

In this practical activity, students investigate the salinity of three different water samples using a multimeter. Students first calibrate their salination probe and test the salinity of their solutions. Students can be asked to suggest how errors might have appeared...

These technical briefs focus on low cost approaches to accessing clean water and sanitation. This is vital to health and well being and low costs are particularly important to poorer communities in the developing world.

Technical briefs are documents produced by Practical Action which are freely available to...

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...

Water for the World was developed jointly by Engineers Without Borders UK (EWB) and Arup, a global firm of engineering consultants and specialists. There are three resources, investigating issues of water scarcity, sourcing and supply and showing how engineers can help to solve problems. Although initially designed...

These resources from the Institution of Engineering and Technology, produced in association with Fairfield Control Systems, explore the theme of waterways.

A Catalyst article looking at renewable energy. To tackle climate change and all the challenges imposed by the need to find alternative and reliable energy sources, there is one major resource that has remained untapped until now: wave power. This article describes the size of this resource and presents the leading...

Ways of Living, from the SISCON...

This Catalyst article investigates how polymer materials can be designed and printed with electrical properties that allow them to be used in wearable electronic devices. The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science...

This challenge is an opportunity for students to explore, experiment and innovate whilst designing a specialised wetsuit for paratriathletes who need specialised equipment to allow them to compete. Whilst the development in technology of prosthetic limbs, racing wheelchairs and handcycles has been substantial, no...

This activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), provides an opportunity to assess students understanding of remote surgery.

It is intended that students will:
• Understand what remote...

This resource, from Siemens, looks at how a sustainable city should meet the needs of the present without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Urban sustainability is the idea that a city can be organised without excessive reliance on the surrounding countryside and be able to...

This activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), allows students to develop understanding of two conceptual approaches to environmental issues - the linear economy and the circular economy - in the context of the design and operation of a new...

The work that engineers do affects billions of people. It is creative and hands-on. It is about solving problems, designing things and improving things. As an engineer, you could tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems - from dealing with cyber security and maintaining clean water and energy supplies 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...