This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within science and design and technology. This resource focusses on identifying and sketching design ideas for innovative products that make use of magnets...

It takes a lot of rare natural resources and energy to make a mobile phone, laptop or computer, the modern technology we use every day. That is why many scientists would like to take inspiration from Mother Nature to help us to make more environmentally-friendly machines in the future.

This Catalyst article...

This Nuffield Advanced Physics Unit was designed to be directly about engineering
problems and their solution. The authors pointed out that ‘reluctance’, like feedback in Unit 6, is a concept of more use to an engineer than to a physicist. The authors said that...

From the Institute of Physics, this resource provides extensive teacher guidance and suggested classroom activities to support the teaching of:

* Setting up electrical loops
* Electrical working in loops
* Designed devices switch pathways
* Efficiency and calculations

Each topic is...

The Science Processes and Concepts Exploration (SPACE) project research report on Electricity was published in 1991 by Liverpool University Press. The SPACE research was conducted at two centres: at the University of Liverpool and King’s College, London, with Wynne...

The first activity in this resource gives pupils the opportunity to demonstrate working scientifically by designing and testing a chair for a pilot with limited time, budget and resources. This activity will support pupils understanding that engineers have to design, test and redesign in order to get things right,...

This resource from Physicists in Primary Schools (PIPS) supports the teaching of magnets at Key Stage Two. A presentation introduces class investigations on magnetic materials and on the forces of attraction and repulsion using bar magnets. It demonstrates how to make a compass and looks at the Earths’ magnetic...

Six groups of practical activities produced by the Institute of Physics (IOP), for students to explore key concepts of electricity and magnetism.

Accompanied by the Teachers' and technicians' guide for both the...

This activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), requires students to design a magnetic tool holder for a robot surgeon.

It is intended that students will:
• Appreciate the potential of...

Produced by the Institute of Physics, this learning episode uses demonstrations, experiments and questions to help students learn about electromagnetic fields. These consider their strength and direction.

The activities include:
• demonstrating the field around a permanent magnet
• field...

Magnetism is a key scientific phenomenon. Utilising this has allowed designers to create new and innovative products, such as fully working MAGLEV trains and hoverboards.

This resource focusses on designing a hoverboard that works using magnetism and magnetic field.