The second lesson using Blockly in upper primary within the Rapid router game-like environment. This activity introduces conditional repeat statements that loop until a condition is met. Videos are included that explain to children why conditionals are useful. Also included are worksheets, assessment forms, model...

A cross-curricular programming activity, using loops in Scratch to draw patterns. Learners first design an algorithm to draw a simple 2D shape, and then use the 'repeat' block to generate artwork. It is advised that children have some prior experience of programming in Scratch. Experimentation and debugging is...

Cryptographic techniques enable information to be shared with other people, yet still maintain a surprisingly high level of privacy. This activity illustrates a situation where information is shared, and yet none of it is revealed: a group of students will calculate their average age without anyone having to reveal...

This unplugged computing activity from the Barefoot Computing project teaches basic algorithms through thinking about classroom rules. Using the idea of 'fair sharing', it covers sequences and basic do-while loops, and asks children to perform basic debugging. Suitable for children in early primary settings, it...

In this activity SEND pupils will develop their skills of abstraction and learn to select only the important information. Pupils will identify the ingredients they need to make a cake and create a shopping list. This activity can also be adapted using the PowerPoint to develop an understanding of algorithms and can...

This report is the outcome of a project initiated by the Royal Society in August 2010. The project was prompted by a high degree of concern about aspects of the provision of education in Computing in UK schools. The project was guided by an Advisory Group that brought together individuals and representatives with a...

Siemens have created a number of high-quality engaging online interactive games and activities for pupils of all ages covering many aspects of the STEM curriculum.  Topics range from cybersecurity to carbon emissions; programming to dressing a site worker in appropriate personal protective clothing. Many of the...

This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit.

In this activity pupils will make use of the BBC micro:bit to design and create a programmable system that can control the temperature and soil moisture levels in a ‘smart’ greenhouse. They will analyse a design brief and design...

This activity introduces children to simulations - modelling or acting out real-world, or maybe imaginary, situations. Linking to the teaching of space, it asks what factors need to be considered when simulating the solar system. Out of these, the children then decide what the most important things to include in...

The relationship between energy and states of matter is sometimes difficult for students to comprehend. This activity helps to reinforce the notion that, when energy is added to a system, the molecules themselves do not change but their motion and relative positions do change.

While the model is a...

In this activity SEND pupils develop their understanding of the computing curriculum by identifying that objects have similarities, finding patterns in groups of objects and sorting them accordingly and explaining the similarities between groups of objects. Pupils are given the opportunity to sort objects according...

There’s sound and music all around us! This programme has pupils exploring the science of music and sound, creating music and instruments with a range of found objects, and even finding music in unlikely places.

The activities are introduced with a quick objective and a preparation guide. Individuals or...

This activity from the CS4FN team at QMUL is a metaphorical introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and the difficulties of working at the command line.

The whole-class activity uses a game called spit-not-so. The winner of the game is the first to choose, from a...

This resource contains ten instant maths ideas using spreadsheets to solve mathematical problems. Mathematical topics explored include: * solving equations to complete a think of a number puzzle * completion of magic squares * exploring different sequences * the ‘Rich Aunt’ problem * an exploration of cubic graphs...

This document from the Department of Education looks at how teachers at schools in the White Horse Federation lead by example to encourage good behaviour and academic achievement. The resource explores strategies including teacher induction on behaviour, language skills and celebrating diversity, as part of the...