Looking to discuss the big, contestable questions in STEM? This collection of resources from The Economist Educational Foundation supports students to understand how the scientific and technological processes of the modern world are intertwined with political decisions and ethical calculations. They help develop...

The 'big ideas' section of the Fixpert's resource focuses on big ideas. It introduces students to designing as an approach to problem solving and to designing for the real world and real problems. In particular, students are encouraged to consider different users and their needs, along with ergonomics and human-...

A Catalyst article describing how new materials can be designed by studying natural materials and how they work. In particular the development of Velcro, military fabric, swimwear and waterproofing is looked at. These products were developed by scientific study of natural products such as plant burrs, pinecones,...

The Biomimicry 3.8 Institute is a not-for-profit organisation which promotes the transfer of ideas, designs, and strategies from biology to sustainable design. The Biomimicry 3.8 Institute’s programmes aim to broaden and deepen teachers’ knowledge of biomimicry and facilitate the integration of biomimicry into the...

This resource was developed by a STEM Ambassador, working with St Bonaventure’s School. It looks at how the natural world has inspired design. Student research and developed ideas for their biomimicry-based modes of transport, and modelled them.
Students then presented their ideas and models, explaining how...

A collection of resources to support teaching the principles of biomimicry in design and engineering.

This activity from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is a quick, engaging introduction to a lesson looking at the properties of modern materials. It encourages students to think about how technology is changing our society.

From the National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC), these two podcasts explore a range of applications and issues in the biorenewables sector. They are primarily aimed at a commercial audience but may be of use to teachers who want to gain a better understanding of plant-derived materials or, when used in part, as...

This short film from the Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP) is one of a series of clips which were produced to demonstrate the properties and use of a range of smart materials.

Black light pigments are microencapsulated materials that are specifically formulated to absorb UV radiation at the near-...

This resource introduces the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project (@BlackSeaMAP), a three-year...

This video and classroom task explores how the crew of the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project (@BlackSeaMAP...

In this activity, from the Institution of Engineering and technology (IET), students investigate a use of electronic systems to improve health care.

They study a case where a Body Centric Antenna (BCA) increases the...

Body centric communications is any communication on, within or around the body using wireless technology. In this film, engineers give examples of the applications of this technology, including wireless devices which monitor blood glucose and communicate directly with a device which can administer insulin. This...

Body centric communications have abundant applications in personal healthcare, smart homes, personal entertainment, identification systems, space exploration and military. This scheme of work, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), investigates the driving technology behind body centric...