STEM activities at home

Download the Ball Run worksheet (updated)

Teams will design and build their own Ball Run, and put their final creation to the test. Creativity and stability will be key factors. This activity encourages problem solving, perseverance, cooperation and spatial thinking.

Watch how to create a Ball Run

• Elastic Bands
• Bulldog Clips
• Wooden Dowels
• Paper Straws
• Cotton Reels
• White Tac

Download the Bridge Bonanza worksheet

Teams will design and create their own bridges using lollipop sticks, bulldog clips and pegs. The goal is to see who’s bridge can withstand the most weight before collapsing. Altering length and position of materials will be key in this make.

The world record for this is an astounding 909kg!

Watch how to design the Bridge Bonanza

If you don’t have a toolkit, download the worksheet and below is the list of resources you can buy online:

• Coloured Jumbo Lollipop Sticks
• Elastic Bands
• Bulldog Clips
• Clothes Pegs
• White Tac

Download the CD Racer worksheet

Students will work on their own, or in a team to design and build a CD Racer out of everyday items. The activity teaches Sir Isaac Newton' s laws of motion and theory in a fun and practical way that spans across Key Stages 1-4.

Watch how to create a CD Racer

• Glue
• Elastic Bands
• CDs
• Washer
• Rubber Strip
• Pencil
• Paperclip

Download the Catapult worksheet

By combining Maths, Engineering and Science skills, teams will design and build their own Catapult’s and battle it out to see who can launch an object the farthest.

Watch how to design a Catapult

If you don’t have a toolkit, download the worksheet and below is the list of resources you can buy online:

• Coloured Jumbo Lollipop Sticks
• Elastic Bands
• White Tac
• Ping Pong Ball

Download the Cork Launcher worksheet

The Cork Launcher activity introduces students to the science behind projectiles in motion. Using everyday materials students will create an alternative type of catapult that works like a slingshot.

Watch how to build your own Cork Launcher

• Paper Cups
• Coloured Paper
• Elastic Bands
• Masking Tape
• Scissors
• Cardboard Tube
• Plastic Bottle

Download the Flying Dragon worksheet (updated)

The Flying Dragon project is a creative engineering activity that challenges students to build a moving, crank-driven model of a flying dragon.

Watch how to build your own Flying Dragon 

Watch how to build your own Flying Dragon

• Coloured Paper
• Scissors
• Card (if recycling can’t be found)
• White Tac
• Glue Gun
• Zip Ties
• Craft Wire
• Pliers
• Hole Punch

Download the Hydraulic Propagator worksheet

The Propagator project introduces students to hydraulic systems and their inner workings. Using a few household items and craft materials, students will work in teams, or with help from an adult, to design and build a propagator with a basic hydraulic system that will help them care for their seedlings.

Watch how to create a Hydraulic Propagator

If you don’t have a toolkit, download the worksheet and below is the list of resources you can buy online:

• Wooden Dowels
• Tubing
• Syringe
• Zip Ties
• Seeds
• Elastic Bands

Download the Lighthouse worksheet

Students are tasked to build the tallest, working lighthouse they can using just AA batteries, a bulb &bulb holder, scrap paper, foil and tape. The activity teaches the basics behind designing a free-standing structure and explores the electronics that make lighthouses possible.

Watch how to create a working lighthouse

• Bulb
• Bulb Holder
• Masking Tape
• Aluminium Foil
• A4 Paper
• AA Batteries

Download the Lunar Rover worksheet

Teams are challenged to build a functioning rubber band car following the build template provided, or creatively design and build their very own. The rover that travels the furthest distance wins!

Students will learn about potential and kinetic energy, whilst also considering the relationship between mass, force and torque, and the effect they will have on their final design.

Watch how to create a Lunar Rover

If you don’t have a toolkit, download the worksheet and below is the list of resources you can buy online:

• Coloured Jumbo Lollipop Sticks
• Elastic Bands
• White Tac
• Wooden Dowels
• Clothes Pegs
• Wheels

Download the Mechanical Hand worksheet

Students will look at the biomechanical make-up of the human hand and create their own mechanical hand using everyday materials to mimic the movement of joint structure and tendons.

Watch how to create a Mechanical Hand

• Cardboard
• Glue Gun & Sticks
• String
• Elastic
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Zip Tie

Download the Tower worksheet

Students are challenged to design, build and produce a freestanding tower structure
that is stable enough to support a weight for 10 seconds. Following the engineering design cycle, students will work in teams using limited supplies including lollipop sticks, elastic bands, pegs, bulldog clips and white tac to create their towers.

Watch how to build a Tower

• Coloured Jumbo Lollipop Sticks
• Elastic Bands
• Bulldog Clips
• Wooden Dowels
• Clothes Pegs
• Paper Straws
• Cotton Reels
• White Tac

Download the Water Turbine worksheet >

We use the energy of falling and flowing water to produce power- from water wheels used to grind grain to modern hydroelectric dams to power cities. Using everyday materials, design and prototype your very own water turbine with the help of IMechE’s free educational resources.

Watch how to build a Water Turbine

If you don’t have a toolkit, download the worksheet and below is the list of resources you can buy online:

• Cotton Reel
• Strong
• Tape
• Wooden Dowels
• Modelling Clay
• Funnel
• Cardboard Disc - Recycle from home
• 3 Litre Plastic Drinks Bottle - Recycle from home

Download the Water Turbine Teacher Notes  >

Reward the winners of your workshop with a certificate of excellence

• Download the certificate