Will your imagination change the world? Take part in the Powering the Future: South Tyneside and Beyond! challenge
Listen up Year 4!
It’s all in the name – wind is the star of the show at Dogger Bank Wind Farm! A single rotation of one of their turbines can power a UK household for two days, it’s very powerful stuff.
Your challenge is to use wind to solve a problem, make something better, or just create something fun!
Wind can be used in loads of ways. Items big or small can use its power to go, go, go! Think about how wind can push sails, spin propellers, and flutter wings. You could use a kite, a windmill, even wind chimes in your invention.
Let’s get creative and even bonkers with your ideas, we want to see a total breath of fresh air!
This one's for you Year 5!
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a beacon of renewable energy. This type of energy helps address the issue of climate change.
Climate change impacts all living things on the planet; humans, animals, and plants. Small actions like switching up things in our daily routine can make a difference and are necessary in improving the health of our world.
Your challenge is to invent something that creates renewable energy by harnessing power from movement. This will help us reduce the use of fossil fuels and prevent climate change!
The energy of motion is called kinetic energy. This movement could be dancing, running, shivering, swaying, and so much more!
How about a battery that is powered from the movement of a dance-off? A pair of shoes that you walk in for a bit to generate energy, then they turn into mini hoverboards? How about harnessing the energy from a live orchestra or from bouncing on a pogo stick!
Time to get moving and shaking, thinking and making!
Powering The Future - Resource Pack Yr 4
Download the full pack of resources for your Year 4 students! In the pack for students it contains the invention sheet, 3 activities and challenge cards. There is also a folder for teachers which includes teacher guidance, a presentation and curriculum fit document.
Powering The Future - Resource Pack Yr 5
Download the full pack of resources for your Year 5 students! The pack for students contains the invention sheet, 4 activities and challenge cards. There is also a folder for teachers which includes teacher guidance, a presentation and curriculum fit document.
Powering the Future - Activated Powerpoint Year 4
This video supports the Powering the Future South Tyneside and Beyond challenge! This is a narrated version of the powerpoint in the resource pack for Year 4.
Powering the Future - Activated Powerpoint Year 5
This video supports the Powering the Future South Tyneside and Beyond challenge! This is a narrated version of the powerpoint in the resource pack for Year 5.
Powering the Future - Inventors Logs
Now your students have learnt about wind, renewable energy and climate change they then draw their invention ideas. The inventors logs help to develop those ideas. Part 1 shows them how to take their idea further. Part 2 is all about prototyping and exploring how to transform their invention from 2D to 3D. Part 3 explains how to curate your very own exhibition!
Powering the Future - Classroom Exhibition Pack
Print out these exhibition materials to create your very own classroom exhibition. There are certificates you can award to your favourite invention ideas, a poster to stick up around school, a banner for the exhibition wall and invitations to let everyone know about your fantastic exhibition!
Prototyping Video Year 4 - Wearable Windsock
Year 4, watch this video to show you how to start prototyping. Cardboard extraordinaire, Lottie Smith shows you how to make a Wearable Windsock. Use some of these tips and tricks when prototyping your own invention.
Prototyping Video Year 5 - Making a Propellor Part 1
Year 5, watch this video to show you how to start prototyping. This is part 1 of 2. Artist Lottie Smith shows you how to make a propellor using cardboard.
Prototyping Video Year 5 - Make a Base Part 2
Year 5, watch this video to show you how to start prototyping. This is part 2 of 2. Artist Lottie Smith shows you how to make a base using cardboard. Use these new skills when developing your own invention idea.
How to enter!
You can submit more than one invention idea.
Submit invention ideas through our upload page.
- Draw your inventionon the Little Inventors worksheet
- Scan or photograph the *whole* sheetas straight on as possible
- Upload it in JPEG, PNG or GIF format (choose a file)
Each invention idea will comprise of an image of a clear drawing, the name, age and location of the inventor, the name of the invention and a description, and a contact email address.
Examples of scanned images
