This report from Ofsted looks at low level classroom disruption. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI) raised concerns about low-level disruption in schools in his Annual Report 2012/13. As a consequence, guidance to inspectors was tightened to place greater emphasis on this issue in routine inspections. In addition...

Looking to discuss the big, contestable questions in STEM? This collection of resources from The Economist Educational Foundation supports students to understand how the scientific and technological processes of the modern world are intertwined with political decisions and ethical calculations. They help develop...

The 'big ideas' section of the Fixpert's resource focuses on big ideas. It introduces students to designing as an approach to problem solving and to designing for the real world and real problems. In particular, students are encouraged to consider different users and their needs, along with ergonomics and human-...

These activities, aimed at primary children, link to aspects of design and technology and literacy. Children follow recipes to make a variety of food for birds including pine cone lardy seed feeders, suet nut log and edible pictures.

This activity is part of the...

Aimed at primary, this resource provides activities which support aspects of literacy, art and D&T in the context of the identification of birds. Children follow instructions to colour, cut and fold templates to make ‘bird snappers’ for thirteen different birds.

The resource also includes a blank poster...

A resource which covers core theory for GCSE Design and Technology: understanding what biodegradable plastics are and their purpose for reducing plastic waste....

Aimed at primary level, this pack contains a range of different activities based on the theme of Earth. The activities cover a mixture of topics including: identifying plants and animals, habitats and food webs. Designed for use in class or as part of a science week or club, they promote investigative work and...

A Catalyst article describing how new materials can be designed by studying natural materials and how they work. In particular the development of Velcro, military fabric, swimwear and waterproofing is looked at. These products were developed by scientific study of natural products such as plant burrs, pinecones,...

This resource looks at how biomimicry enables engineers to take ideas from the natural world to develop new products and designs. The specific example of gecko tape is used to illustrate this. Students play a game of pairs where they need to match technology with the animal or plant which inspired its development....

Part two of a series of five lessons covering biomimicry students will develop strategies to produce creative design ideas using nature and natural forms as inspiration. Students will understand through designer examples (Alessi) how companies take inspiration using morphing as a strategy. A series of activities...

Part five of a series of five lessons covering biomimicry students will re-cap previous lessons learning on biomimicry. They will work in small groups and in a short time period complete a design challenge of producing a scaled model of an item of furniture using a provided image board. Students will be provided...

Part four of a series of five lessons covering biomimicry students will develop an understanding of how biomimicry has inspired architecture through shape and form. Throughout the lesson resource students will develop memory skills from studying images and being able to recreate them quickly as a free line sketch....

Part three of a series of five lessons covering biomimicry students will develop an understanding of how biomimicry has inspired textile design from modern products to those throughout art and design history. Students will learn how fabrics and textiles have been inspired by nature through theory, images and videos...

This resource was developed by a STEM Ambassador, working with St Bonaventure’s School. It looks at how the natural world has inspired design. Student research and developed ideas for their biomimicry-based modes of transport, and modelled them.
Students then presented their ideas and models, explaining how...