This 'concept card' from the Barefoot collection explains 'computational thinking': *What it is *Why it is important *What it looks like in the primary curriculum *How to find out more It supports teacher understanding to improve their teaching of the Barefoot activities.

This edition of the Computing at School newsletter focuses broadly on computing in primary schools, and contains articles covering:

*The new National Curriculum Programme of Study for Computing

*Designing a new computing curriculum in your school; adapting previous curriculum models

*Computing...

Using the AI debate kit,  students explore the benefits and risks that AI poses to individuals and society, now and in the future. What decisions should be made by AI? What data is needed to support these decisions? Does AI pose a threat to our own intelligence or bolster it?

The different ‘rounds’ of the...

This computing resource for primary schools introduces the concept of decomposition through dance. Using combinations of hand-jive, clapping or tutting, the lesson demonstrates how complex sequences of instructions (algorithms) can be broken down into smaller chunks. The children are challenged to look for patterns...

This collection of lesson activity and enrichment day resources links computing to other curriculum areas in creative ways. Unplugged as well as on-screen activities are provided, featuring contributions from various organisations. Some activities require additional paid resources whilst most make use of free...

ENTHUSE Partnership funding enables groups of four to eight schools and colleges to work together, with support from STEM Learning on a two-year intensive programme to raise aspiration and achievement in STEM subjects. Each Partnership can access up to £20,000 worth of support, including face-to-face CPD, in-school...

These resources link to elements of the geography, while supporting aspects of science, maths and computing. Using early astronaut photographs, and more recent satellite images, they provide opportunities to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using each method for remote sensing. The main activity is based...

These resources use real satellite data from different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to provide an introduction to scientific image processing techniques. They link to elements of GCSE science specifications as well as supporting aspects of the curriculum for...

The European Space Agency have provided a range of purposeful and engaging activities to support learners across the Primary stage. These activities cover the Science, Maths, Design Technology, Computing and Topic curriculums through activities linked to life on Earth, our atmosphere and solar system and some even...

In this activity, students examine changes to forests in cross-border regions of Africa and Borneo using Google Earth Pro to help identify features shown in satellite images and make measurements. The context allows students to explore the factors which put pressure on forested areas, and what is being done to...

This activity introduces the idea of remote observation by asking children to match photographs such as lakes, mountains and cities taken from the ground with early astronaut photographs. Children then compare the images from the ground with the astronaut picture of the same place. This activity is also suitable...

This resource provides a lesson plan and all the related materials to teach children about the principles of building and programming robots. It relates the components of a robot to the equivalents in humans for example relating human senses to the robots sensors, muscles to motors and brain to computer and program...

This collection of STEM clubs teaching materials are designed to help students discover how communities can put measures into place to make sure people and properties are safe, and look at how the IoT can bring additional benefits to this safety.

This sample, taken from a teacher guide, makes use of Lego NXT programmable kits to create musical instruments. Controllable devices are built that can ‘play’ percussion instruments such as a xylophone and a drum; other ideas include making a trumpet using NXT touch sensors for buttons, or controlling tone using...

The National STEM Learning Centre and Network supports the teaching and learning of science, design and technology, computing, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in schools and colleges throughout the United Kingdom, from primary level to post-16.