Craft, Design, Engineering & Graphics

EDT (Engineering Development Trust)   

EDT delivers over 40,000 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) experiences each year, for young people aged 9 -21 across the UK.   Available to support STEM activity days for pupils and families (costs:  from £5 per pupil; £450 for a family day)

Useful Links:  Website

Year of Engineering 

2018 is/was the Year of Engineering, however, this website contains links to resources you can use any time.

Useful Links:  Website

Instructables  

“The best way to learn something is to do it!  Instructables has a ton of awesome projects for your classroom, and supports teachers and students by providing free Premium Memberships.”  Clear, easy to follow instructions for hundreds of STEM and Art related projectrs.

Useful Links:  Website

Royal Academy of Engineering     

“The Academy works with partners to encourage more young people to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects in schools, FE colleges and universities, where the Academy enriches outcomes by bringing real-world engineering practice into the student experience. The Academy is working to encourage more people, especially young women and people from a wider range of backgrounds, to work as engineering technicians, graduate engineers and engineering researchers.

Useful Links:  Website

Makedo 

Makedo is a cardboard construction system that allows you to construct small and big and HUGE projects out of recycled cardboard.  It consists of specially designed screws along with their screwdriver, safesaw and mini-tool.  If you have access to a 3D printer you can download files to print hinges, brackets and other additional parts.  An individual set costs around €12 – supply your own cardboard!

Useful Links:  Website       Video      Gallery

Tomorrow’s Engineers  

“The Tomorrow’s Engineers programme, led by the engineering community, provides a platform for employers to work effectively with schools to inspire more young people to consider a careers in engineering.”  They provide downloadable resources including careers information and teaching packs.  The content is aimed at 11-14 year olds, but the activities could be easily be completed by upper primary with some adaptation or support.

Useful Links:  Website      Careers Resources       Activity Resources

Cambridge Brainbox  number-39114_640two-39115_640three-39116_640

A  source of easy to use kits to create Mechano like models and electronic circuits.  The electronic kits are possibly the easiest to use that I’ve seen, with simple to snap together elements.  This allows pupils to focus on designing and experimenting rather than fiddling with wires and tiny screws.  Packs are supported with teachers notes and activities.  Perhaps mainly linked to Sciences curriculum, it has potential to support the Design and Engineering benchmarks.  Another very similar brand is Snap Circuits.

Useful Links:    Website   You Tube

Serif Craft Artist two-39115_640three-39116_640

Part craft projects, part desktop publishing, part photo editing!  It’s a fun software to use, and with lots of ready to use downloads available, which is aimed at the home or professional paper crafter.

Useful Links:   Webpage    You Tube

Tinkercad  two-39115_640three-39116_640

Not to be confused with Tynker (the coding site), this is simple to use 3D design and print software. Set up a free account online then share with pupils.

Useful Links:  Website   You Tube   Online Support       Step-by-Step Lessons      Getting Started In Tinkercad pdf

3D Builder  two-39115_640three-39116_640

View, capture, personalize, and print 3D models.

Useful Links:  User Guide   You Tube

K’nex Challenge letter-39873_640-2two-39115_640three-39116_640

Glasgow Science Festival has been organising the K’nex challenge in the West of Scotland since 2002, with a relaunch of the contest as ‘Glasgow Science Festival – Creating Engineers’ in 2012. Open to primary 5 and 6 pupils across the west of Scotland the contest gives pupils a chance to demonstrate their creative design skills by solving engineering challenges using the construction toy K’Nex.

Useful Links:   Website

James Dyson Foundation  letter-39873_640-2

Access great resources to help bring design and engineering into your classroom.  There are a range of Quick Challenges with easy to follow challenge cards, or you can borrow one of their FREE Ideas or Engineering Boxes for a few weeks (they arrange delivery and pick-up).  They also have a ‘Hit the Mark’ link which I assume provides information on how their resources can help you deliver the curriculum, but at time of writing it doesn’t seem to want to load – maybe you’ll have better luck.

Useful Links:   Website

STEM Learning   letter-39873_640-2

Thousands of curriculum-linked, quality-assured STEM teaching resources alongside materials produced by the STEM teaching community themselves.

Useful Links:  Website

STEM First letter-39873_640-2

While they are based in Lancashire to support schools in Lancashire and Cumbria, their resources section is still a good place to find links to useful online resources.

Useful Links:  Website

STEM Central   letter-39873_640-2

Situated within Education Scotland’s National Improvement Hub, this online resource supports learning and teaching relating to sciences, technologies, engineering and mathematics (STEM).  You’ll find some very good Learning Journeys and Resoures which you can download, plus a range of videos to use with your class.

Useful Links:  Website

Young Engineers & Science Clubs Scotland 

“YESC has played a leading role in growing interest and sparking enthusiasm in STEM subjects.  The Clubs are geared towards Primary and Secondary school pupils who are interested in STEM subjects, and want to find out more about what engineers and scientists do. Pupils test their problem-solving skills on a number of themed investigations and work alongside their teachers, real engineers and scientists to feed their curiosity and fire their imagination. Clubs are led by school staff and links with STEM Ambassadors are encouraged.  Towards the end of the school session, Clubs are invited to compete for the coveted title of “Club of the Year” at the annual Celebration of Engineering and Science event held in Glasgow in June each year.  We also run CPD training courses for teachers, whilst our regular events and competitions provide networking opportunities and sharing of best practice, continually engaging with our members to promote the range of exciting career opportunities in STEM.”   Lots of good support resources for STEM clubs including some funding opportunities.

Useful Links:  Website      Brochure      Promotional Video

Makey Makey 

“Makey Makey GO allows today’s tinkerers, dreamers, and makers the mobility to invent anytime, anywhere. Makey Makey GO enables you to invent on the go – and change the world – with the snap of an alligator clip, transforming everyday objects into Internet touchpads.”

Useful Links:  Makey Makey Website      Makey Makey Classic Demo Video     Makey Makey GO Demo Video       Educational Ideas and Lesson Plans

The Universe of Engineering

“Our aim is to provide a Universe of Engineering for schools through which all children can reach their potential. Teacher training courses, masters level research, skills, competencies, project based learning, competitions, exhibitions, al help to ensure deep learning, impact and career awareness.”  Here you find access to the Early Years, Primary and Secondary Engineers programmes to develop teachers skills, as well as the Institution programmes for use in the classroom.

Useful Links:  Website      Early Years Engineer        Primary Engineer      Institution of Primary Engineers        Secondary Engineer      Institution of Secondary Engineers

Dumfries House 

Dumfries House, the stunning and recently renovated 18th century country house near Cummnock, has an amazing educational programme to support STEM education.   As well as educational visits of the house itself, there are six different training centres located on the estate providing learning experiences in:  engineering; traditional and craft skills; hospitality and catering; gardening and food production; art and drawing; and, a residential ourdoor centre.  With programmes suitable for both primary and secondary pupils they are worth a visit.

Useful Links:   Website      Schools Flyer

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