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
• ...

In this design challenge from the National STEM Learning Centre and Network, students make a linear actuator. The lead screw linear actuator uses a motor driven screw thread to move a threaded slider along its length. Limit switches turn off the motor when the slider...

In this design challenge from the National STEM Learning Centre and Network, students construct a lever that is moved by muscle wire. This is a conductor that contracts when an electric current is passed through it. The wire movement controls a lever.

In this design challenge from the National STEM Learning Centre and Network, students make a rotating arm actuator. This uses a geared dc motor to turn a friction fit arm. Two cams can be set at different angles to operate limit switches to control the movement of the...

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...

In this multi-lesson project pupils design and code a computer game. It uses a rainforest theme but can be adapted to any topic, with learners of varying age or ability.

The project includes:

• Decomposition of the elements of a game
• Designing the game
• Creating assets for the...

Inspired by the theme of the Victorians, this activity supports the teaching of design and technology in context by looking at the key events that defined the Victorian era, and how they have influenced engineering developments and society today.

In this classroom activity learners will learn about the...

In this activity learners will make use of the theme of Halloween to make a flapping bat decoration. They will learn how to make a simple mechanism before testing and observing how it works.

This activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach about basic marking out, testing and model making...

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...

This resource from the IET helps pupils learn about 2D and 3D shapes, as well as faces, edges and vertices, whilst creating their own homemade Christmas trees. The resources provided include full lesson guidance as well as a wordsearch to reinforce understanding of key vocabulary.

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. 

In this lesson, pupils will focus on the Anderton boat lift, which was restored by a multi-company collaboration including...

In this project learners will learn about flight and making a successful paper aeroplane. They will make their own launching mechanism to propel their plane further than they could throw it. Finally, they will test their launchers and observe how they work.

This activity could be used as a main lesson...

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 is one of a series of resources developed by the Institution of Engineering and Technology inspired by the achievements of the ancient Egyptians. It uses...