Maths and Engineering
A collection of resources to support the teaching of maths in Engineering
IET Education Resources
The IET Faraday programme has been developed by the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Europe’s largest professional organisation in the field. The aim is to introduce a new generation to the sheer excitement of science, technology and engineering.
These resources include cross-curricular classroom activities with accompanying film clips and downloadable supporting files such as presentations and handouts which can be tailored to students' needs.
The IET Faraday materials give a real insight into what it is like to be a scientist, technologist or engineer working at the cutting edge of technology. They investigate the problems that engineers face and the technologies behind their solutions and cover a variety of exciting areas.
Engineers Without Borders UK (EWB)
This collection is produced by Engineers Without Borders UK, an international development organisation that aims to remove barriers to development through engineering. It contains resources which challenge children to discuss big issues facing the modern world and the challenges this poses for engineers trying to find solutions to these global problems.
These active workshops are a mix of presentations, quizzes, games and hands-on experience and are intended to encourage critical thinking. They highlight issues such as global water scarcity, the challenges people face when sourcing water, maintaining a water supply in developing countries, shelter deprivation and the role of the engineers in solving these problems.
There are four age-specific modules, each aimed at the appropriate level of technical understanding and learning style. Although initially designed as part of an outreach programme, each resource pack consists of a presentation, extensive teachers' notes and all classroom materials for running the activities.
MEI Engineering Applications of Mathematics
This collection of six engineering resources produced by Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI) for the Royal Academy of Engineering cover a range of practical applications of mathematics in an engineering context. A wide variety of mathematical topics are covered including vectors, scalar products, integration, plotting graphs, graphs of exponential functions, reading and interpreting data, logarithms, surface area, volume, percentages, fractions and scale drawing.
More engineering resources can be accessed via the MEI's Integral virtual learning environment.
Engineering a Better World
The aim of this collection of resources, from the Centre for Science Education and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, is to enhance the school experience of students and teachers of STEM subjects. The resources were devised by a group of teachers and educationalists from the North of England with the support of Yorkshire Forward and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
The collection includes eight case studies together with a 15-minute video showing the project in action in a school. Each case study is presented as a series of lessons covering science, maths and technology with a set of smaller activities called 'Extras' which are broadly cross-curricular and can be used with any of the subject disciplines. The resources are supported by an in-service training pack.
The Case Studies
• A Bridge Too Many
• Building Incubators
• Mechathlon
• Mini Robot Wars
• Medical Emergencies
• Solar Detectives
• Protecting Your Head
• F1 Challenge
Advanced Diploma in Engineering Resources
This collection contains a range of resources produced by organisations such as the Royal Academy of Engineering and with the support of industrial partners including npower, Thales and Laing O'Rourke. Each of the resources helps to look at aspects of engineering in real-life contexts. Materials will be useful for supporting learners in preparation for the Advanced Diploma in Engineering and also advanced level mathematics.
Just some of the topics include:
• Monitoring vibration levels in a steam turbine
• Aircraft navigation
• Mathematics of simple beam deflection in bridges and buildings
The Royal Academy of Engineering
The Royal Academy of Engineering oversees a number of projects to enhance and enrich the teaching of engineering. This collection contains case studies and details of activities which can be used to encourage pupils to take part in engineering study.
The collection includes:
• Mathematics for Engineering Exemplars: These exemplars give activities which contextualise mathematics in engineering projects for Post-16 students. The activities support the Additional and Specialist Learning (ASL) unit of the Advanced Diploma in Engineering.
• London Engineering Project Case Studies: These case studies describe 14 projects set up with the aim of engaging and inspiring young people in STEM subjects, with an emphasis on engineering. The projects included activity days for students led by STEM Ambassadors, careers advice for teachers, reports on best practice and events designed to encourage under-represented groups, especially girls.
