These resources explores how engineers have used their knowledge of waves to improve lives.  The activities include:

• Using the reflection of light to create a floating image
• Investigating the best material for thermal resistance (insulation) in a survival suit

Curriculum links...

These technical briefs focus on manufacturing on a small-scale. It is an important livelihood for many people in the developing world and businesses are usually run by a family or a small group within the same community.

Technical briefs are documents produced by Practical Action which are freely available...

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:

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In this STEMNET resource, Assistant Head Teacher Matthew Evans describes activities undertaken in his specialist Technology College to support STEM subject teaching. The school runs many STEM Clubs and has worked with STEM Ambassadors for nearly 15 years.

Matthew works closely with the STEM Ambassadors and...

This STEMNET resource describes the background and career of STEM Ambassador Andrew Keen, a graduate engineer.

Andrew studied Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing before gaining a placement with an aerospace design company. Following a Masters of Engineering degree in Materials and further work...

This STEMNET resource describes the background and career of STEM Ambassador Felix Schubert, a mechanical engineer.

Felix works for MSE Consultants Ltd, an engineering consultancy which specialises in natural gas compression projects for the oil and gas industry. He enjoys that fact that he can change his...

This resource looks at designing a treadle pump.

Suggested learning outcomes include:

• To be able to design a treadle pump for people living in a remote village.
• To understand how social issues impact on the design of a product....

In this DIY Faraday Challenge, students are asked to work in teams to design and construct the rocket which will transport supplies via Earth orbit to the astronauts on Mars. They are also required to build a system to transport the rocket to the...

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.
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This STEMNET resource describes the background and career of STEM Ambassador David Bennett, a design engineer at a nuclear power station.

David's role is to ensure that any modifications made to the nuclear power plant improve safety and efficiency. He started work after gaining a degree in Mechanical...

Help encourage your child's STEM skills, passion and talent with this parents' guide to engineering careers.

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...

This STEMNET resource describes the background and career of STEM Ambassador Danny Finn, a piping stress engineer.

Danny works for a company that build facilities to liquify natural gas before its transportation. His specialism is in determining whether pipe work will survive its required operating lifetime...

Ella is an expert in the mechanical design and operation of the NOC's Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV's) She ensures new technology designed integrates on the AUV's and operates the AUV whilst at sea.

Ella read Mechanical Engineering at Cambridge, graduating with both Bachelors and Master's degrees. She...

Catherine holds a PhD in Robotics and a BSc Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science. She studied A-levels in Physics, Maths, and Computing with an AS-level in Electronics.

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