Nuffield Design and Technology has developed a specific type of learning activity called a resource task. These short, practical activities are designed to teach capabilities in an engaging way.

*Strategy resource...

In this activity from the Institution of Engineering and technology (IET), students investigate the photovoltaic effect by designing and making a solar power night-light circuit. This could form the basis of a design and make assignment project in design and technology...

Tunnelworks is a series of teaching and learning resources linking mathematics and science to the Thames Tideway Tunnel project, a major new sewer that will help protect the River Thames from increasing pollution. Background to the project is given in the ...

In this cross curricular activity, children learn about light and shadows by creating shadow puppets which tell the story of a myth or legend. Teacher’s notes provide a step by step guide to creating the shadow puppets, showing how to create moving parts; it also shows how to set up a shadow theatre to tell the...

Students consider how materials need to be tested for their suitability for a specific job before engineers in construction projects can choose them. The tasks will ask the students to think about what properties need to be considered, how these might be scientifically...

This challenge asks teams of students to plan a major sporting event in their local area. The resource provides an opportunity for students to explore their ideas in a creative environment. Teams can define their own goals and priorities, but may want to focus on three main areas of planning an event:

•...

From the Centre for Science Education, the RA3 project aims to bring parents together with their children and teachers to explore the worlds of science and technology.

These activities use 'mechanical kangaroo' or 'mechanical horse' model robot kits. These kits allow children and parents to explore...

Investigating simple linkages using card models.

A mechanism is a device that changes movement in some way. Linkages are a type of mechanism. There are different types of linkage, each of which change movement in different ways.

This could be used in Key Stage 2 as a stand-alone activity or as an...

This resource investigates modelling and constructing pulley systems designed to lift loads.

Suggested learning outcomes include:

• To be able to recognise and describe the main parts of a pulley system.
• To understand how a pulley system can reduce the effort needed to lift a load.
...

In this activity students learn about:

- the type of movement generated using a slider and a lever

- how a slider and lever allow movement

- how to cut and assemble simple mechanisms using card and scissors

This activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), allows students to compare old and new technologies (railway five-pointer telegraph against the SMS message) to experience how significant the advances in technology have been. The nature of...

Perseverance is a NASA rover that landed on Mars, in February 2021.  The rover is searching for past evidence for life on Mars and collecting samples to be returned to Earth with a planned sample return mission, from NASA and the European Space Agency, ESA.  

This resource activity pack supports the video...

In this SATIS Revisited resource, students examine data, perform a risk assessment, and see how risks are sometimes reported in the media.

This unit focuses on the consumer and considers whether or not we should be concerned about any pesticide residues that may be found on fruit and vegetables. In the first...

In this activity, from the Institution of Engineering and technology, students work in groups to investigate how Piezoelectric materials can be used in a variety of different ways. For the development element of the project, students propose an innovative application...

In this topic, from the Association for Science Education, students learn about the many products obtained from local plants. The topic is designed to allow classes in schools across the world to exchange information about the ways in which their lives depend on plants. The topic also provides opportunities for...