In celebration of its founder, Fritz Schumacher’s centenary year Practical Action have created Small Is...Challenge. Schumacher’s philosophy was based on the idea that even a small change can have a big impact on people’s lives. The challenge for students is to look at technologies from the last 100 years and...

Through energy use, each UK home creates around six tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. Much of this is the result of electricity generation. In this activity, from the Centre for Science Education and the Comino Foundation, students look into the advantages and disadvantages of the Smart Meter – an innovative device...

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.

Smart grease is a particularly sticky and viscous gel with almost magical shear characteristics. It can be used in prototype...

This collection of smart materials resources supports students to learn about Quantum Tunnelling Composite, shape memory alloys, polymorph, microencapsulation, photochromic dyes, thermochromic dyes and E-textiles. The collection provides a classroom presentation, teacher notes, student worksheets, student revision...

This resource includes examples of real technologies which can be used as inspiration to children from age 7 to 16. Following on from the challenges that Tim Peake and his clothing will face in space, these case studies include background information for teachers, supporting Powerpoint slides, and example...

This series of short films from the Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP) was produced to demonstrate the properties, and use, of a range of smart materials.

Smart materials are materials that have one or more properties that can be significantly changed in a controlled fashion by external stimuli, such as...

The role of smart sensors in our everyday lives is becoming increasingly fundamental. The Smart Sensors topic focuses on what smart sensors are, how they are being used today and how they can be innovative in the future. We are surrounded by systems that convey information but there are questions about whether...

This activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), introduces students to how sensors can be used in smart applications of electronic systems.

The resource is designed so that students will know...

This activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), introduces students to how sensors can be used in smart applications of electronic systems.

The resource is designed so that students will know...

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.

'Smart wire' is a shape memory alloy (SMA) which changes its length with a useful pulling force when a small current is passed...

In this practical lesson from the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), students complete a number of different tests on a selection of materials and identify each one from its particular properties. The tests include Eureka cans, electrical circuits and other...

A selection of smart conservation STEM activities combining design and technology, biology, geography and zoology for creating a technology enabled habitat for a zoo.

This SMART conservation STEM activity combines design and technology, biology, geography and zoology to creating a technology enabled habitat for a zoo. The activity explores how technology can help animals survive and thrive in captivity,encouraging your pupils to garner greater respect for animals and their...