In this resource from the DfE Standards Unit, students practise differentiating quadratic functions and finding the values of a function and its derivative at specific points. They will distinguish between f (x) and f ′(x), relate values of f (x) and f ′(x) to the graph of y = f (x) and reflect on and discuss these...

This resource from the Nuffield Foundation provides a set of 24 cards which students use to match graphs with descriptions of the real situations they represent. The slideshow includes the same graphs with added titles and labels. This can be used in a class discussion about the shapes of the graphs, the variables...

This resource develops the concept of exploring variables in everyday situations. In addition, students work on finding unknown values from known values, finding relationships between pairs of unknowns, expressing relationships in the form of tables and graphs, and rearranging formulas. The central theme of the...

This resource introduces sustainability and how life on Earth depends upon our environment for resources such as food, water, and raw materials. Pupils learn about the materials life cycle, where raw materials come from, how to reduce waste and how raw materials may be used and recycled. The activities encourage...

This Nuffield Pathways Through Science module covered solutions and a variety of systems in which one material is finely dispersed in another (colloids) as well as the properties and uses of glass, ceramics, metals and polymers. The module provided opportunities to...

This resource, aimed at primary learners, provides several activity sheets which support the teaching of everyday materials and their uses. The sheets, which could be used in class or for homework, look at identifying materials common objects are made from and discussing their uses, natural and manufactured...

This Nuffield Primary Science Teachers’ Guide for teaching the Materials topic, to students aged 7-12, is divided into five chapters:

*Chapter 1: Introduction - covering useful strategies, the SPACE approach and links to the National Curriculum

*Chapter 2: Planning - using the resources to plan topics...

This activity asks students to plan and carry out an investigation to test the suitability of materials to absorb or insulate sound and to identify what other variables need to be considered when choosing a material to use in a building. Students also consider whether a...

Students consider how materials need to be tested for their suitability for a specific job before engineers in construction projects can choose them. The tasks will ask the students to think about what properties need to be considered, how these might be scientifically...

In this activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), students design an outfit that could be worn whilst participating in a sport. With a strong emphasis on developing creative thinking when generating ideas, the activity requires students to...

These activities provide students with an understanding of the importance of fitness for purpose when designing new products. Students learn how to effectively dismantle and investigate an engineered product to determine its function/purpose.

Inspired by the Born to Engineer video from Sam Fraser, an engineer who combines his love for engineering with a passion for football, this resource supports students to increase their understanding of materials engineering, including materials testing, design and material properties (Hooke’s Law, shear,...

This Nuffield Primary Science Teachers’ Guide for teaching the Materials topic, to students aged 5-7, is divided into three chapters:

*Chapter 1: Planning - showing how to use the resources to plan a topic and, in the...

This resource from Claire Publications contains ideas which aim to develop children's knowledge and understanding of mathematics by involving them in a wide variety of enjoyable and stimulating problem solving activities. The authors believe that the only purpose in learning mathematics is to solve problems and...

This book of challenges for more able students from the National Numeracy Strategy contains puzzles and problems. These are accessible to a wide range of students. There are four separate files covering ...