Resources

Engineering in the movies

  • TEACHER GUIDE

Introduction

From the early days of cinema to the latest blockbusters, movies have the power to amaze, inspire and entertain with incredible storylines, memorable characters and fantastic special effects.

Engineering in the Movies lets pupils explore the creative and practical side of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in films while introducing the important role of engineers in the industry.

Through 12 engaging activities, pupils will see how topics from their subject lessons can be applied in real-world engineering. This resource provides hands-on thematic education opportunities for pupils interested in the magical world of movies that can be taught in the classroom as an enrichment programme.

A teachers guide is available by clicking the download PDF button in the banner above.

One of our 46 teacher coordinators has put together a set of handy videos providing guidance on how to plan and use each of the activities. Watch his introductory video below. A link for the corresponding video to each activity can be found in the activities table.

Video guide

Video Image

Activities

There are 12 activities to complete. They can be used in sequence, or picked to suit the needs of the class and the resources available.

Each activity is straightforward, fun and achievable in the classroom. A selection of materials used in each activity are included in the resource box. A full curriculum map is shown below so you can see which activities match your group, aims, time and resource available.

You can download each individual activity sheet from the links below.

Activities and curriculum links for England.

No. ACTIVITY SUBJECT and KEY STAGE National curriculum disciplines Video guide
1 Puzzling
parallax		 KS3 Science

KS3 Maths		 Experimental skills and investigations; analysis and evaluation.

Geometry  - position and direction, statistics; measurement.		 Puzzling parallax guide
2 Magic
drum		 KS2/3 Design & Technology  Develop creative, technical and practical expertise; design and make high-quality functional products; test, evaluate and refine their ideas and products. Magic drum guide
3 Creating
movie magic		 KS2/3 Computing Undertake creative projects that involve selecting, using and combining multiple applications to achieve challenging goals. Creating movie magic guide
4 Chemical
eruption		 KS3 Science

KS2/3 Design & Technology		 Chemical reactions; energetics; energy changes and transfers

Select from and use a wide range of materials and ingredients, considering their properties; test, evaluate and refine their ideas and products.		 Chemical eruption guide
5 Pop
rockets		 KS3 Science

KS2/3 Design & Technology		 Motion and forces; pressure in fluids.

Understand and use the properties of materials and the performance of structural elements to achieve functioning solutions; design and make high-quality functional products.		 Pop rockets guide
5 Over the
rainbow		 KS3 Science

KS3 Maths		 Experimental skills and investigations; light waves.

Geometry - properties of shapes; geometry - position and direction; solve problems.		 Over the rainbow guide
7 Good
vibration		 KS2 Science

KS2/3 Design & Technology		 Sound, light and energy waves; experimental skills and investigations; analysis and evaluation.

Develop creative, technical and practical expertise; achieve functioning solutions; test, evaluate and refine their ideas and products.		 Good vibrations guide
8 Earthquake
proof		 KS3 Design & Technology

KS3 Maths		 Use a variety of approaches to solve design problems; develop and communicate design ideas using annotated sketches and mathematical modelling; understand how more advanced mechanical systems used in their products enable changes in movement and forces,

Ratio and proportion; measurement.		 Earthquake proof guide
9 Removing
resistance		 KS2/3 Science

KS2/3 Design & Technology		 Forces and motion; magnetism.

Understand and use the properties of materials and the performance of structural elements to achieve functioning solutions; test, evaluate and refine their ideas and products.		 Removing resistance guide
10 Fossil making KS2 Science

KS2/3 Geography and DT		 Describe and compare the structure of a variety of common animals.

Locational knowledge; identify the habitat of living and dead animals; develop creative, technical and practical expertise.		 Fossil making guide
11 Smartphone projector STEM Interdisciplinary skills and expertise developed from each of the STEM curricula. Smartphone projector guide
12 Pinhole
camera		 STEM Interdisciplinary skills and expertise developed from each of the STEM curricula. Pinhole camera guide

Curriculum links for Wales, Scotland and NI

Curriculum - Learning Wales
Curriculum of excellence - Education Scotland
Council for the curriculum, examinations and assessment - Northern Ireland.