Bring engineering into your primary school

Whether you're looking for resources or enrichment activities, there are plenty of ways you can inspire your pupils with the world and wonder of engineering.

Getting started

What is engineering?

Find out more about the diverse world of engineering and how you can introduce engineering in your school.

What is engineering?

Engineering Habits of Mind

Find out more about Engineering Habits of Mind and how you can use this approach across the curriculum.

Habits of Mind resources

Tinkering

Tinkering provides a basis for making and exploring, often through trial and improvement.

Tinkering resources

Topics for engineering projects

Energy

Learn all about forces, electricity, energy change and sustainability by building your own wind turbine.

Helping people

Explore how engineers help improve the lives of people in the developing world through a range of global issues.

Homes and houses

Investigate different kinds of shelters and think about problems that designers and engineers may have when building them.

Polar exploration

Using the context of polar exploration, inspire pupils with these hands-on activities.

Space exploration

Explore the different ways engineers help explore space, whether it's designing spacecraft, spacesuits or homes on Mars.

Structures

Explore lesson plans, activities and ideas to support engineering through the topic of structures.

Transport

Design and make cars, bikes, gliders, boats and rockets, whilst linking to design and technology, science and literacy.

Books as hooks into engineering

Books for budding engineers

Books are a fantastic way to inspire children with engineering. This list, created by UCL, highlights their favourite engineering stories.

Browse books

Three Little Pigs

Investigate materials for making houses, then design and make structures based on this popular children’s story.

Read the story

The Tin Snail

Explore forces and mechanisms and gain a deeper understanding of the process engineers go through when they are making something new.

Read the story

Additional support and inspiration

Primary Design and Technology Resources

We also have a curated collection of primary Design and Technology resources, providing a useful starting point for teachers in planning and delivering D&T lessons.

Resources to give you further inspiration

Browse our collection of free resources which will support you in bringing engineering into the primary classroom.

Design challenges, competitions and events

Find out about a range of competitions, events and opportunities which use engineering to enrich learning.

Invite an engineer into the classroom

Invite a STEM Ambassador into your school and hear first-hand how rewarding a career in engineering can be.

Experience the world of engineering for yourself

Described as professionally life-changing, ENTHUSE Placements provide a unique opportunity for education staff to experience life in a modern industry or a leading university.

pupils in a classroom testing a marble run made out of cardboard

Engineering resources for your STEM Club

STEM Clubs can ignite an interest in STEM subjects and provide a platform to extend young people's learning. Whether you already run a club or are looking to set one up, discover a range of resources and guidance to support you.