Water pushes upwards with a force called ‘upthrust’. (You can feel this if you try to push a light object such as a balloon or aeroboard under water). The shape of a ‘boat’ affects the weight (passengers/cargo) it can hold. The more water that the boat displaces the more it will float and therefore the more weight...

Design for a better world is a design challenge for students aged 11-14 years. It offers students the opportunity to:

• Learn about the global goals for sustainable development.
• Access a range of global contexts including water and sanitation, food security and climate action in which to...

Magnetism is a key scientific phenomenon. Utilising this has allowed designers to create new and innovative products, such as fully working MAGLEV trains and hoverboards.

This resource focusses on designing a hoverboard that works using magnetism and magnetic field.

Designers must consider how people will interact with their products and systems. The use of ergonomics and anthropometric data allows them to make sure their products are comfortable and efficient to use.

This resource focusses on how ergonomics and anthropometric data can be used to design a product.

Inspired by the Born to Engineer video from Mathew Holloway, this resource uses the Crumble controller, setting students a design challenge that sees them create their own umbilical controlled buggy that can navigate small spaces. Although specific to the Crumble controller, this resource could be used as a design...

This resource requires students to consider the challenges of designing and developing a new sports venue. To make this challenge more manageable, it has been divided into four separate challenges: the site, the structure, the court and the environment. As well as researching and developing ideas, the challenge is...

Aimed at primary level, this pack investigates the science in everyday life. They investigate a range of topics including: irreversible reactions involved in cooking, the density of liquids, microorganisms, properties of materials and electricity. Designed to demonstrate key ideas and concepts and to spark an...

The drone resource box is aimed at key stage 3 or key stage 4 students and could be used as a six-session curriculum resource or a drop down activity day. The resource explores how drones work and how they can be used for civilian, humanitarian and commercial purposes. Each session will be based around a different...

Aimed at primary level, the twelve activities within this pack explore forces and solids, liquids and gases in the context of a birthday party for Albert Einstein. Designed to demonstrate key ideas and concepts and to spark an interest in science, they could be used in class or within a science week or club. The...

Electricity is an analogy that provides a way of helping students develop a real understanding of simple electric circuits. This interactive resource is provided by the Association for Science Education (ASE).

Aspects...

This interactive online game from Siemens introduces students to the opportunities and challenges presented by different energy technologies. Students are required to implement an energy system that meets the demand to run a farm whilst minimising the cost and environmental impact. 

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This activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), helps students to:

• understand that materials can be designed and made to specific characteristics and purposes
• be able to identify the...

This activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), focuses on understanding the concept of modular design and the casting process. The resource is designed to allow students to:

• describe the...

This activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), explores engineered materials in more detail, looking at a range of new or smart materials in industry. The resource is designed to allow students to: • understand that materials can be designed and made to specific characteristics and...