Resources

Drones: friend or foe?

Introduction

This drone resource set is aimed at KS3 or KS4 students and could be used as a six-session curriculum resource, a drop down activity day or in an after-school STEM club.

The resource explores how drones work and how they can be used for civilian, humanitarian and commercial purposes. Each session will be based around a different system in the drone.

Each resource can be downloaded from the tables below, and have a handy 'notes for teacher’s section' in the back (remember to remove any answer pages before copying for students!)

The resources can be used however you wish, but some initial explanation and guidance is given in the teacher’s guide which can be downloaded using the Download PDF button in the banner above and by clicking this link.

There are two case studies to support the resource which can be downloaded here:

Resources

What is a drone?

The What is a Drone? activity is designed as an introduction to the uses of drones, aimed at dispelling the myth that they are just weapons or toys. In fact, they have wider ranging practical, civil, humanitarian and commercial applications.

ACTIVITY TOPIC NATIONAL CURRICULUM
Activity 2 Mathematics KS4 Geometry and measures: interpret and use bearings.
Activity 3 Science KS4 Working scientifically: appreciating the power and limitations of science and considering ethical issues which may arise; explaining everyday and technological applications of science; evaluating associated personal, social, economic and environmental implications; and making decisions based on the evaluation of evidence and arguments.

Thinking like a drone

This activity is based around line-tracking robots to get students thinking about sensors. It includes several problem-solving activities and discussions.
Download the Thinking like a drone activity and the Drone tracks worksheet.

ACTIVITY TOPIC NATIONAL CURRICULUM
Activity 1 Computing KS3 & 4 Develop and apply their analytic, problem solving, design and computational thinking skills.
Stretch and challenge 1 Design & technology KS3 Evaluate: test, evaluate and refine their ideas and products against a specification.
Activity 2 Mathematics KS3 Ratio, proportion and rates of change: use scale factors, scale diagrams and maps; use ratio notation.
KS4 Ratio, proportion and rates of change: compare lengths, areas and volumes using ratio notation and/or scale factors.
Stretch and challenge 2 Design & technology KS3 Evaluate: test, evaluate and refine their ideas and products against a specification.  

The optimal propeller

The Optimal propeller activity is designed to be a practical way to explore the physics of lift, with stretch and challenge activities to get students working scientifically. 

ACTIVITY TOPIC NATIONAL CURRICULUM
Activity 2 Science KS3 & 4 Working scientifically: experimental skills and strategies.
Activity 3 Science KS3 Working scientifically: analysis and evaluation.
Stretch and
challenge
activity 1		 Science KS3 Working scientifically: experimental skills and strategies; analysis and evaluation.
Stretch and
challenge activity 2		 Science KS3 Evaluate: test, evaluate and refine their ideas and products against a specification.

KS4: use and interpret scatter graphs of bivariate data; recognise correlation and know that it does not indicate causation; draw estimated lines of best fit.		  

Safe delivery

The Safe delivery activity is based on the idea that drones could be used as delivery vehicles. It looks both theoretically and practically at the engineering involved in creating a safe way to deliver goods and humanitarian aid.

ACTIVITY TOPIC NATIONAL CURRICULUM
Activity 1 Science KS3 Forces: non-contact forces.
KS4 Forces: Forces as vectors:
KS4 Forces and motion: acceleration caused by forces
KS4 Energy: conservation of energy in a closed system
Activity 2 Design & technology KS3 Forces: Non-contact forces
KS4 Forces:Forces as vectors
KS4 Forces and motion: acceleration caused by forces
KS4 Energy: conservation of energy in a closed system.
KS3 Evaluate: test, evaluate and refine their ideas and products against a specification
Stretch and
challenge		 Science

Mathematics		 KS4 Forces: Forces as vectors
KS4 Forces and Motion: acceleration cause by forces
KS4 Energy: conservation of energy in a closed system
KS4 Solving problems: model situations mathematically
Algebra: Simplify and manipulate algebraic equations.

Remote data

This resource is based around how space probes send data they have hand collected back to earth. The activities explore the science and computing involved in collecting, sending and interpreting data from remote locations.manitarian aid.
Download the Remote data activity and bitmap grid worksheet for this activity.

ACTIVITY TOPIC NATIONAL CURRICULUM
Activity 1 and 2 Computing
 		 KS3 & 4 Understand how numbers can be represented in binary
KS3 & 4: Understand how data of various types can be represented and manipulated digitally in the form of binary digits'
Activity 3 Science KS3 Light waves
Activity 4 Computing


Science		 KS3 & 4: Understand how numbers can be represented in binary
KS3 & 4: Understand how data of various types can be represented and manipulated digitally, in the form of binary digits

KS3 & 4: Wave motion
 

Missing drones

The Missing drones activity is designed as an introduction to the mathematics involved in GPS location.

ACTIVITY TOPIC NATIONAL CURRICULUM
Activity 1 Mathematics KS3 & 4: Geometry and measure.
Stretch and challenge Mathematics

Science		 KS3 & 4: Geometry and measure

KS3:  Describing motion speed and the quantitative relationship between average speed, distance and time (speed = distance / time)
Activity 2 Mathematics KS3 & 4: Geometry and measure.