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Lessons by Elizabeth Sparrow

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Introducing a series of engaging and informative, ready-to-use science and technology lessons. I’ve been a tech professional for over thirty years and was President of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT between 2009 and 2011. In recent years I've taught school kids of all ages in over 200 London schools about water, sanitation, hygiene and the charity WaterAid. I’m now using this experience to bring science and technology subjects to life.

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Introducing a series of engaging and informative, ready-to-use science and technology lessons. I’ve been a tech professional for over thirty years and was President of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT between 2009 and 2011. In recent years I've taught school kids of all ages in over 200 London schools about water, sanitation, hygiene and the charity WaterAid. I’m now using this experience to bring science and technology subjects to life.
Introducing Telephones
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Introducing Telephones

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Designed for KS2 learners this ready-to-use lesson covers the telegraph, how sound works, inventing the telephone, telecoms networks and mobile phones. Activities include making a string telephone, exploring the life of Alexander Graham Bell and hearing telephone workers from the past talk about their experiences. The lesson includes a fully illustrated and informative PowerPoint consisting of over 35 slides. It starts with objectives, has a worksheet to complete as the lesson progresses and includes four activities which can be completed in class or given as homework. The PowerPoint includes links to several short videos on YouTube to illustrate the lesson. Notes and answers to the worksheet and activities are included. This lesson has five sections: Before we had telephones, How sound works, Inventing the telephone, Telephone networks and Going wireless Curriculum links detailed in the Lesson Notes: Design and technology and Science. Duration: Approximately one hour. WaterAid WaterAid is working around the world to ensure that everyone, everywhere gets access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. Fun and educational resources for schools and teachers as well as fundraising ideas are available on the WaterAid website at wateraid.org/uk/get-involved/all/schools-and-teachers. This technology lesson is made available free of charge. If you find it useful please make a donation to WaterAid at wateraid.org.
Celebrating Black Computing (Primary)
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Celebrating Black Computing (Primary)

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Designed for KS2 learners, this ready-to-use lesson features 12 black individuals and gives simple introductions to prejudice, algorithmic bias and the number of black people working in computing today. The lesson offers a great way to celebrate the lives of black computing professionals during Black History Month or at any other time of the year and to consider the challenges they may face. The importance of diversity in tech teams and the need to develop systems that work for everyone are also explained. The lesson includes an engaging and informative PowerPoint consisting of over 30 slides. It starts with objectives and has a worksheet to complete as the lesson progresses. There are two activities which can be completed in class or given as homework: a Word Search and a poster activity. Notes and answers to the worksheet and Word Search activity are included. This lesson supports the national curriculum for computing which aims to ensure that all pupils become digitally literate and active participants in the digital world. Individuals featured in the PowerPoint: Annie Easley, Otis Boykin, Marian Croak, Clarence Ellis, Rediet Abebe, Mark Martin, Victoria Chibuogu Nneji, Michael Berhane, Amina Aweis, Joe Arday, Jay-Ann Lopez and Ken Olisa. A separate lesson is available for secondary school classes featuring different black computing professionals. Duration: Approximately one hour plus two activities. WaterAid WaterAid is working around the world to ensure that everyone, everywhere gets access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. Fun and educational resources for schools and teachers as well as fundraising ideas are available on the WaterAid website at wateraid.org/uk/get-involved/all/schools-and-teachers. This technology lesson is made available free of charge. If you find it useful, please make a donation to WaterAid at wateraid.org.
Exploring the Internet
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Exploring the Internet

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Designed for KS3 and KS4 learners this ready-to-use lesson covers Internet topology, hardware components, connections, TCP/IP, packet switching, domain names and security. The lesson includes a fully illustrated and informative PowerPoint with over 40 slides. It starts with differentiated objectives, has a worksheet to complete as the lesson progresses and includes five activities which can be completed in class or given as homework. Notes and answers to the worksheet and activities are included. This lesson has four sections: • Internet infrastructure - Distributed networks, Internet backbone and exchange points, cable connections, ISPs, routers, Wi-Fi, mobile network and satellite Internet connections. • Internet protocols - ARPANET, packet switching, TCP/IP and domain names. • Who’s in charge of the Internet? - ICANN, IETF, censorship and fake news. • Internet security - Malware (viruses, spam, ransomware and spyware), denial-of-service attacks and botnets, hacking and phishing. Topics covered in the activities include undersea Internet cables, junk emails, satellite Internet developments (Starlink and OneWeb) and the interplanetary Internet. Curriculum links detailed in the Lesson Notes: • Computer Science GCSE • Computing • Design and technology Duration: Approximately 75 minutes plus five activities. WaterAid WaterAid is working around the world to ensure that everyone, everywhere gets access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. Fun and educational resources for schools and teachers as well as fundraising ideas are available on the WaterAid website at wateraid.org/uk/get-involved/all/schools-and-teachers. This technology lesson is made available free of charge. If you find it useful, please make a donation to WaterAid at wateraid.org.
Exploring the World Wide Web
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Exploring the World Wide Web

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Designed for KS3 and KS4 learners this ready-to-use lesson covers hypertext, HTTP, HTML, web browsers, cookies, servers and search engines. The digital divide and safe surfing are featured in activities. The lesson includes a fully illustrated and informative PowerPoint with over 40 slides. It starts with differentiated objectives, has a worksheet to complete as the lesson progresses and includes three activities which can be completed in class or given as homework. Notes and answers to the worksheet and activities are included. The lesson has six sections: • Inventing the World Wide Web • Hypertext and web pages • HTTP and HTML • Web browsers and servers • Search engines • Web for all, web on everything Curriculum links detailed in the Lesson Notes: • Computer Science GCSE • Computing • Design and technology Duration: Approximately one hour plus three activities. WaterAid WaterAid is working around the world to ensure that everyone, everywhere gets access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. Fun and educational resources for schools and teachers as well as fundraising ideas are available on the WaterAid website at wateraid.org/uk/get-involved/all/schools-and-teachers This technology lesson is made available free of charge. If you find it useful, please make a donation to WaterAid at wateraid.org
Women in Computing
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Women in Computing

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Designed for KS3 and KS4 learners, this ready-to-use lesson introduces a diverse group of computer women past and present and helps challenge any misconceptions about those who choose this career path. Pupils are encouraged to think through for themselves the contribution that women can bring to computing and the reasons why in the UK less than 25% of the people working in computing today are women. It also provides a brief introduction to computing careers, studying computer science at university and digital apprenticeships with links to further information. The lesson includes a fully illustrated PowerPoint consisting of over 30 slides. It starts with differentiated objectives and a quiz, and has a worksheet to complete as the lesson progresses. Notes and answers to the worksheet and activities are included. (Answers to the quiz are included in the PowerPoint.) There are two activities, the first delving a little further into the life stories of some of the women featured in the lesson and a poster activity. This lesson supports the national curriculum for computing which aims to ensure that all pupils become digitally literate and active participants in the digital world. Duration: Approximately one hour plus two activities. WaterAid WaterAid is working around the world to ensure that everyone, everywhere gets access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. Fun and educational resources for schools and teachers as well as fundraising ideas are available on the WaterAid website at wateraid.org/uk/get-involved/all/schools-and-teachers. This technology lesson is made available free of charge. If you find it useful, please make a donation to WaterAid at wateraid.org.
Celebrating Black Computing (Secondary)
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Celebrating Black Computing (Secondary)

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Designed for KS3 and KS4 learners, this ready-to-use lesson features 14 black individuals and gives short introductions to prejudice, algorithmic bias and the number of black people working in computing today. The lesson offers a great way to celebrate the lives of black computing professionals during Black History Month or at any other time of the year and to consider the challenges they may face. The importance of diversity in tech teams and the need to develop systems that work for everyone are also explained. The lesson includes an engaging and informative PowerPoint consisting of over 30 slides. It starts with differentiated objectives, has a worksheet to complete as the lesson progresses and ends with suggested follow up actions. Notes and answers to the worksheet and activities are included. There are three activities which can be completed in class or given as homework: a Word Search, a poster activity and an activity exploring the lives of four more black tech professionals. This lesson supports the national curriculum for computing which aims to ensure that all pupils become digitally literate and active participants in the digital world. Individuals featured in the PowerPoint: Evelyn Boyd Granville, Alan Emtage, Lyndsey Scott, Mark Dean, Dorothy Monekosso, Alex Fefegha, Joy Adowaa Buolamwini, Segun Fatumo, Hosanna Hali, Ashleigh Ainsley, Lynda Chinaka, Joshua Malemba, Charlene Hunter and Tom Ilube. Individuals featured in the activity: Bruce Bond, Beverly Clarke, Andy Ayim and Anne-Marie Imafidon. A separate lesson is available for primary school classes featuring different black computing professionals. Duration: Approximately one hour plus three activities. WaterAid WaterAid is working around the world to ensure that everyone, everywhere gets access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. Fun and educational resources for schools and teachers as well as fundraising ideas are available on the WaterAid website at wateraid.org/uk/get-involved/all/schools-and-teachers. This technology lesson is made available free of charge. If you find it useful, please make a donation to WaterAid at wateraid.org.
Computer people and their stories
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Computer people and their stories

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Inspire your KS2 pupils with these short, engaging stories from the world of computing. This fully illustrated, ready-to-use lesson features computer people past and present, carefully chosen to illustrate the diversity of those who work in computing such as Guido van Rossum, Mark E Dean, Tim Berners-Lee, Dorothy Monekosso and Chieko Asakawa. It also describes various jobs carried out by computing professionals today including software engineers, computer scientists, video games makers and cyber security experts. The lesson includes a fully illustrated, informative PowerPoint consisting of 35 slides. It starts with objectives, has a worksheet to complete as the lesson progresses and includes three activities which can be completed in class or given as homework. Notes and answers to the worksheet and activities are included. OECD research indicates that children begin to make assumptions about the different careers open to them by the time they are seven years old. This lesson addresses these concerns and encourages pupils to see the possibilities that a career in computing can offer them. Duration: Approximately one hour plus three activities. WaterAid WaterAid is working around the world to ensure that everyone, everywhere gets access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. Fun and educational resources for schools and teachers as well as fundraising ideas are available on the WaterAid website at wateraid.org/uk/get-involved/all/schools-and-teachers. This technology lesson is made available free of charge. If you find it useful, please make a donation to WaterAid at wateraid.org.
Introducing Robots
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Introducing Robots

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Designed for KS2 learners this fully illustrated, ready-to-use lesson introduces pupils to robotics and covers the evolution of robots from ancient automatons to the latest Mars Rover. It also describes the various components that make up robots today and looks ahead to future developments. The lesson includes an engaging and informative PowerPoint consisting of over 35 slides. It starts with a quiz, has a worksheet to complete as the lesson progresses and ends with an activity. The PowerPoint includes links to fun videos on YouTube featuring a dinosaur robot and a fake automaton as well as short clips showing several modern robots. One slide illustrates the diversity of individuals working in robotics by featuring four people who work in this field. Lesson notes and answers to the quiz and worksheet are included. The lesson can be used to support KS2 studies in computing, art and design, and science. Duration: Approximately one and a half hours. The lesson consists of four sections: What is a robot? Robots from the past How do robots work? Robots today WaterAid WaterAid is working around the world to ensure that everyone, everywhere gets access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. Fun and educational resources for schools and teachers as well as fundraising ideas are available on the WaterAid website. This technology lesson is made available free of charge. If you find it useful please make a donation to WaterAid at wateraid.org.
Exploring Mobile Phones
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Exploring Mobile Phones

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Designed for KS3 and KS4 learners this fully illustrated, ready-to-use lesson looks at mobile phone technology covering the invention of the mobile phone; how mobile networks work and what we can do with our mobile phones today. The lesson ends with a brief look at how anyone living with a disability or impairment can use this technology. The lesson includes an engaging and informative PowerPoint with over 35 slides. It starts with differentiated objectives, has a worksheet to complete as the lesson progresses and includes four activities which can be completed in class or given as homework. Notes and answers to the worksheet and activities are included. Curriculum links detailed in the Lesson Notes: • Computer Science GCSE • Computing • Design and technology This lesson has four sections: • Inventing the mobile phone • How mobile phones work • More than just making phone calls • Mobile phones for everyone Duration: Approximately one hour plus four activities. WaterAid WaterAid is working around the world to ensure that everyone, everywhere gets access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. Fun and educational resources for schools and teachers as well as fundraising ideas are available on the WaterAid website at wateraid.org/uk/get-involved/all/schools-and-teachers. This technology lesson is made available free of charge. If you find it useful, please make a donation to WaterAid at wateraid.org.
Exploring Robots
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Exploring Robots

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Designed for KS3 learners this fully illustrated, ready-to-use lesson introduces pupils to robotics. It covers the components that make up robots today, the Laws of Robotics and gives many examples from ancient automatons to the latest Mars Rover. The lesson includes an engaging and informative PowerPoint consisting of over 35 slides. It starts with differentiated objectives and a quiz, has a worksheet to complete as the lesson progresses and ends with an activity. The PowerPoint includes links to fun videos on YouTube featuring a dinosaur robot and a fake automaton as well as short clips showing several modern robots. It describes concerns about the development of robotics and the Laws of Robotics written by Isaac Asimov. The diversity of individuals working in robotics is illustrated by featuring four people who work in this field. Lesson notes and answers to the quiz and worksheet are included. Curriculum links detailed in the Lesson Notes: Design and technology Computing This lesson has four sections: What is a robot? Robots from the past How do robots work? Robots today Duration: Approximately one and a half hours. WaterAid WaterAid is working around the world to ensure that everyone, everywhere gets access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. Fun and educational resources for schools and teachers as well as fundraising ideas are available on the WaterAid website. This technology lesson is made available free of charge. If you find it useful please make a donation to WaterAid at wateraid.org
Exploring Satellites
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Exploring Satellites

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Designed for KS3 and KS4 learners this fully illustrated, ready-to-use lesson looks at satellite components and orbits and how we use satellites today. It also features the International Space Station. The lesson begins by looking at the development of the first satellites and the Space Race. The diversity of individuals working in the space sector is illustrated by featuring four people who work in this field. The lesson includes an engaging and informative PowerPoint consisting of over 35 slides. It starts with differentiated objectives, has a worksheet to complete as the lesson progresses and includes three activities which can be completed in class or given as homework. The PowerPoint includes several links to videos on YouTube to illustrate the lesson. Notes and answers to the worksheet and activities are included. Curriculum links detailed in the Lesson Notes: • Physics • Computing • Design and technology This lesson has four sections: • The first artificial satellites • How satellites work • Satellite orbits • How we use satellites today Duration: Approximately one hour. WaterAid WaterAid is working around the world to ensure that everyone, everywhere gets access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. Fun and educational resources for schools and teachers as well as fundraising ideas are available on the WaterAid website at wateraid.org/uk/get-involved/all/schools-and-teachers. This technology lesson is made available free of charge. If you find it useful please make a donation to WaterAid at wateraid.org.
Earth and Space
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Earth and Space

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Designed for KS2 learners this fully illustrated, ready-to-use lesson provides an interesting and engaging introduction to Earth and space. It covers national curriculum for science topics including the solar system, geocentric and heliocentric theories and how to tell the time using the Sun. Also featured are some of the astronauts who have travelled into space, the International Space Station and the current Mars missions. The lesson includes an engaging and informative PowerPoint consisting of over 35 slides. It starts with objectives, has a worksheet to complete as the lesson progresses and includes three activities which can be completed in class or given as homework. The PowerPoint includes several links to videos on YouTube to illustrate the lesson. Notes and answers to the worksheet and activities are included. This lesson has five sections: • Earth, Sun and Moon • The solar system • Is the Earth or the Sun at the centre of the solar system? • Telling the time using the Sun • People who have travelled into space Duration: Approximately one hour. WaterAid WaterAid is working around the world to ensure that everyone, everywhere gets access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. Fun and educational resources for schools and teachers as well as fundraising ideas are available on the WaterAid website here. This technology lesson is made available free of charge. If you find it useful please make a donation to WaterAid at wateraid.org.