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Cover lesson plans for substitute teachers

Covering other colleagues classes can be difficult especially when it's last minute and not your usual subject area. 

For science, design and technology, engineering or maths - look no further, we have got you covered!

Below you will find engaging cover lessons plans ready to go so you can start your lesson almost immediately! They include a variety of topics and different durations to suit your lesson. All resources are fully editable so you can adapt and change as you see fit or use directly as is. From designing a sustainable aircraft to drawing patterns with tessellation or saving the planet one journey at a time. With minimal (if any!) preparation time and materials you really can be ready for anything!

Please do share your learning highlights with us on social media @IETeducation and if you have further suggestions for cover lessons that we can add here then please let us know so that we can help fellow teachers and colleagues.

Counting stars using estimation

Decide on a systematic way to estimate the number of objects in an image. 

Go to Counting stars using estimation

Design a royal carriage

Designing a new electric-powered Royal carriage for use during processions. 

Go to Design a Royal carriage

Design a pair of futuristic sunglasses

Design a new pair of futuristic and sustainable sunglasses. 

Go to Sunglasses of the future

Product design: create an ergonomic shopping bag

Use ergonomics and anthropometric data to design a shopping bag for older adults. 

Go to Product design ergonomic shopping bag

Designing the trainers of the future

Introduce the concept of research through product analysis to support the design process and design a pair of trainers fit for the future. 

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Code breaking with the Rosetta Stone

Use the frequency of letters in English sentences, match up an encoded passage to these frequencies and then apply common sense to make a coherent message from what is decoded.

Go to Rosetta code 1

Drop it

Develop a method or system of getting emergency aid from an aircraft to the ground safely. 

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Reverse engineering

Consider a design brief and develop new headphones or ear buds. 

Go to Engineering design 1

Sports logo development

A graphic design activity to build knowledge and understanding of branding and logos.

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Stop it

Develop a parachute type system that will help a spacecraft to land and stop safely. 

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Create a tessellation pattern

Formulate a rule that can be used to create tessellated patterns. 

Go to Tessellation

Comparing the carbon footprint of transportation

A maths-based challenge to calculate the journey times and carbon footprint of different methods of travel. 

Go to Saving the planet one journey at a time

Undercover engineers podcast

We talk to inspiring engineers who are working to save the planet and help communities across the globe.

Go to Undercover engineers podcast