UKESF Primary Electronics consists of two fun and engaging activities that give children the opportunity to apply their existing curriculum knowledge of electricity in a meaningful way.

The Activities

Snap Circuits

Our ‘Snap Circuits’ activity is a 1 hour, in-classroom workshop delivered by a fully trained representative from industry.

Build a Bot

The Build a Bot project is a teacher-led, UKESF supported activity that can be run in the classroom at your own pace.

Both Primary Electronics activities aim to demonstrate to 9-11 year olds that they already possess the attributes to pursue STEM, such as curiosity, creativity and problem solving.

Primary Teachers can choose the activity which best suits their class, or register for both! The benefits of participating are:

Free for UK state primary schools

The resources provided for teachers to run the cross-curricular activities in their own classrooms include equipment and slide decks with step-by-step instructions. What’s more, the UKESF team are available to support teachers throughout the project.

All resources are provided to the school free of charge.

Cross curricular learning outcomes

The programme aims to apply children’s existing knowledge and skills to a practical activity that encourages cross curricular learning and builds confidence.

Pupils will gain an understanding of how Electronics connects to their every day lives.

 

Broaden horizons and build science capital

Children decide if they feel connected to STEM as early as 6 years old. The programme aims to help children connect their ‘self’ with their concept of ‘people who work in STEM’, through a positive, practical experience of Electronics.

The programme has been carefully designed by qualified teachers to have a low barrier for success while also allowing for children to exceed.

My favourite lesson I’ve taught all year!

Year 5 Teacher (Snap Circuits: Electronics Engagement Box activity)

Programme details

Snap Circuits Workshop

Giving children hands-on opportunities to build circuits with ‘snap circuits’ and control an LED using a light control sensor.

This 1-hour, hands-on workshop in the classroom for 9-11 year olds, is led by a fully trained volunteer from local organisation within the Electronics and technology industry.

  • We will connect you with a volunteer from a local Electronics and technology company, who will have received training from the UKESF to lead an interactive Snap Circuits activity.
  • You will arrange a suitable time and date for the session, directly with the volunteer.
  • Alongside the activity, the volunteer will be able to tell your pupils more about their journey into Electronics and what’s exciting about the industry.
  • You will also receive an Electronics Engagement kit to keep, with equipment and resources for you to deliver cross-curricular, whole-class electronics activities through a hands-on project to design, build, code and test cardboard robots, at your own pace.
  • Ongoing support from the expert team at UKESF available via email or through video call on request
  • Participating organisations include Leonardo, Cyntech, AMD, Bangor University, Swansea University, CSA Catapult, Nexperia, Clas-SiC and more!

Express your interest in being connected to a volunteer for the Snap Circuits Workshop

If you have any questions about our Snap Circuits workshop, get in touch at [email protected]

If your company would like to support primary schools through the UKESF Primary Electronics programme, we would love to hear from you. Visit our Primary Electronics – Employer Outreach page, or email us to get involved.

Build a Bot Online Workshop

Pupils can design, build, code and test their own cardboard robots.

Build a Bot comprises 5 teacher-led sessions for 9-11 year olds, complemented by a 30-minute online workshop from the UKESF.

  • Online sessions led by the UKESF take place throughout the year. The session will introduce the activity to teachers and their pupils, and is a great way to kick off the activity!
  • Equipment will be posted to you, giving you everything you need to run the project with your class at your own pace.
  • You will receive comprehensive presentation materials, taking you through the activity step-by-step.
  • Ongoing support from the expert team at UKESF is available via email or call.

Forthcoming sessions

Select a session below to register your place:

Monday 1 June, 9.30-10am | 1.30-2pm

Tuesday 2 June, 9.30-10am | 1.30-2pm

Mon 8 June, 9.30-10am | 1.30-2pm

Tues 9 June, 9.30-10am |1.30-2pm

Mon 15 June, 1.30-2pm

Tues 16 June, 9.30-10am

Mon 22 June, 9.30-10am | 1.30-2pm

If you have any questions about our Build a Bot online workshops, get in touch at [email protected]

Testimonials

The children thoroughly enjoyed being a full part of creating the robot from start to finish. Many thanks for the opportunity to be part of the programme.

Primary Teacher (Build a Bot)

This is so hard but I love it!

Year 5 pupil (Snap Circuits)

The simple snap-together parts make it accessible for everyone, so all children can take part and succeed. Teachers often comment on how engaged the children are throughout, and it’s great to see them leave having built multiple working circuits.

We’ve also really enjoyed sharing our experience and expertise with the children.

Industry volunteer from Cyntech (Snap Circuits)

This programme has been developed from an initial collaboration with STMicroelectronics and with a charitable donation from the OnSemi Foundation.

Funders