Make supports students to invent and explore multiple possibilities, testing them openly and often, and learning quickly before making well-informed decisions about the right ideas to develop.

This stage involves:  

• Brainstorming multiple ideas
• Filtering and selecting ideas
• ...

From Solar Spark, this simple activity allows students to make a spectrometer using a card box and a compact disc. The compact disc acts as a diffraction grating and splits the light being observed into its constituent wavelengths. This gives the colours of the rainbow when viewing white light. This type of...

In this activity from the IET, pupils create a Christmas paper lantern in the shape of a star to hold an LED battery. Pupils can either use the net/template provided or develop their ...

This activity looks at how to identify and draw facial expressions which are related to feelings. By exploring Treacher Collins Syndrome, a genetic disorder which affects the face, children can discuss how someone’s facial characteristics might affect their ability to...

This is one of a series of resources from the Institution of Engineering and Technology, produced in association with Fairfield Control Systems, exploring the theme of waterways.  This resource involves designing and making a programmable electronic system to control a flood barrier.

Because of climate...

In this activity from the IET, pupils learn about conductors and insulators of electricity, ionic and covalent bonds, as well as closed circuits, whilst creating their own playdough electrical circuits.  The resource also includes a wordsearch to reinforce vocabulary and support assessment of understanding.

This activity makes use of the theme of World War 2 to explore how FM radio was used by the Allied forces during the war.

Learners will assemble a circuit that acts as an FM radio receiver and then test their circuit to see how well it works.

This is a challenging activity that involves assembling a...

This is one of a series of resources designed to allow learners to use the theme of the men’s football World Cup to develop their knowledge and skills in design and technology and engineering. This resource focuses on making and testing a moisture sensor that referees can use to check the playability of the pitch...

In this resource from the IET, pupils learn about materials, density and waterproofing, whilst creating their own Christmas snow globes from empty jam jars and biodegradable glitter. The resources provided include full lesson guidance and a...

In this activity, students are asked to design an infra-red ‘tag’ game which incorporates emitter and detector circuits. The detector needs to be attachable to clothing and indicate when you have been ‘tagged’ by another player. The development of their ideas should...

Sustainable design is fast becoming a matter of global...

If a bridge needs to cross a river without obstructing river traffic, it can be built with an opening section. Tower Bridge is a world famous example of a bascule bridge that can open when necessary.

Lesson Objectives

• The student could understand how hydraulic and pneumatic systems for...

This resource provides ten hours of independent project work in which students design and make a kinetoscope -  a strip of paper containing drawings on the inside of a drum- like cylinder, which spins to create a moving image.  Students will need to consider:

• What the drum will be made from, and how big it...

Written by the IET, this resource allows students to explore the theme of Diwali, whilst applying a range of skills. A diya is an oil lamp that represents the triumph of light over dark, and good over evil. Diyas are traditionally made from clay or mud, with a cotton wick dipped in ghee to celebrate Diwali, the...

In this activity, students make a nail into an electromagnet. They then investigate whether increasing the number of coils of wire, or the thickness or length of the mail, affects the strength of the electromagnet.