Tooltip
These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.
Lean Machines
This engaging and well thought out resource from Siemens contains a series of lessons which can be used to teach pupils about the principles of ‘lean’ manufacturing and ‘just in time’ production. Once pupils understand these concepts they can try the Lean Machines interactive game which allows them to explore the characteristics of a MINI car production system and challenges them to make it more efficient.
The resources include three lessons covering the following areas which need to be taught in advance of playing the game:
- how a functional area can be planned in terms of making it fit for purpose using the context of a kitchen. Pupils look at how a kitchen should be designed to perform a range of functions and then explore ideas about its design to make it more efficient.
- how a product, in this case a torch, is assembled and how this process might be made more efficient and effective using 'lean' manufacturing principles
- The context of the torch is used again to study 'just in time' production, including its advantages and disadvantages.
In the game pupils score points by building cars to meet orders, using the workforce efficiently and controlling the amount of parts in stock.
Show health and safety information
Please be aware that resources have been published on the website in the form that they were originally supplied. This means that procedures reflect general practice and standards applicable at the time resources were produced and cannot be assumed to be acceptable today. Website users are fully responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is in accordance with current regulations related to health and safety and that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out.
Downloads
Show downloads
Download all files as a .zip2.98 MB
Information on the permitted use of this resource is covered by the Category Three Content section in STEM Learning’s Terms and conditions.
