Royal Academy of Engineering

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.

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.

Resources

Engineering in the movies

Introduction

Video guide

Activities

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