Educational resources you can use

Primary school (5-10 years)

Our aim is to help children of primary school age see that using maths and science can be fun and creative and that there are people called ‘engineers’ who make a real difference to the world. We are not worried about careers advice at this young age – but please do tell them you are an engineer and why you enjoy what you do!

Please do read our guidance for working with children and young people.

What is Civil Engineering

To help you introduce civil engineering for a talk to a class or assembly.

Presentation

Building Bridges

The Rochester Bridge Trust has an excellent range of resources and lesson plans for primary schools. Ideal for the older primary age groups.

Classroom / group activity

Water for Everyone Everywhere

A 100 minute long workshop for a class to explore the challenges associated with access to safe and clean drinking water for people all around the world. From Engineers Without Borders.

Classroom / group activity

Civil Engineering in Your Town

A 30-40 minute classroom activity for younger primary school children. Spot the civil engineering projects in this fun picture of a town.

Classroom / group activity

‘I Could Be a Civil Engineer’ Brownies and Scout Cubs

ICE Fellow Pippa Higgins has created a set of challenges that can entertain and challenge children over a number of activity sessions. Brownies can also earn badges.

Classroom / group activity

Engineering for Nursery and Reception Classes

Nursery rhymes contain a surprising amount of engineering. Here are some ideas you could discuss with the teacher if you want to engage the very young.

Classroom / group activity

CREST Awards

CREST awards are available for a range of civil engineering related activities (transport, environment, engineering, international development). Look for the Star and SuperStar Awards.

Posters and handouts

Discover the amazing world of civil engineering

An A2 double-sided classroom poster with fun facts and games to challenge which folds down to a handy A5 leaflet. Order printed copies by emailing us at careers@ice.org.uk or download the PDF.

Posters and handouts

Primary Engineer

Primary Engineer has created an engineering curriculum that spans early years, primary, secondary and further education institutions.

Follow-up activity

BBC Bitesize

Some great resources mapped to the curriculum at all age groups and by UK nation.

Follow-up activity

The Engineering Colouring Book

Downloadable colouring pages of STEM career adventure cartoon strips. From the University of Leeds.

Follow-up activity

ICE Exhibitions

Our central London exhibitions are free to go to and are accessible for young people and adults of all ages with plenty of hands on engineering fun too.

Follow-up activity

Secondary school – lower years (11-14 years)

Our aim is to help young people see that maths and science can be applied in creative and useful ways – and inspire them before choosing their subjects around age 14 (e.g. GCSEs in England, standard grades in Scotland etc.). We would like them to find out about civil engineering at this stage but are not worried about which kind of engineering inspires them.

Please do read our guidance for working with children and young people.

Make a difference - be an engineer

An introductory presentation about careers in all disciplines of engineering from Tomorrow’s Engineers.

Presentation

Rise to the challenge

A follow up presentation to 'What is Civil Engineering' for older pupils which gives more information on civil engineering careers and how to get into the industry.

Presentation

What is Civil Engineering

To help you introduce civil engineering for a talk to a class or assembly.

Presentation

Soil Savers

A practical classroom activity that can be completed in a single lesson. It uses the story of how engineers ingeniously used spoil from Crossrail tunnelling to produce environment benefits.

Classroom / group activity

People Like Me Resource Pack

A great resource pack from WISE featuring a number of activities designed to show girls that science and engineering really is for people like them. Includes quiz, job analysis and role model examples.

Classroom / group activity

People Like Me Construction Pack

A similar pack to the above but targeted specifically at raising awareness of construction and civil engineering careers.

Classroom / group activity

Giant Tetrahedron Building

A 2 hour practical activity suitable for small and large groups. The giant tetrahedron (a triangular based pyramid) is an impactful activity, creating a 4 metre x 4 metre structure.

Classroom / group activity

Water for Everyone Everywhere

A 100 minute long workshop for a class to explore the challenges associated with access to safe and clean drinking water for people all around the world. From Engineers Without Borders.

Classroom / group activity

Beat the Flood

A great challenge for STEM clubs or classroom sessions with access to outside space. Pupils design and make a model of a home able to withstand the effects of flooding, then test it.

Classroom / group activity

The Everything You Need To Know Guide To Civil Engineering

Featuring career case studies and classroom poster. Order printed copies by emailing us at careers@ice.org.uk or download the leaflet PDF (not including poster).

Posters and handouts

What is Engineering?

A leaflet from Tomorrow’s Engineers to inspire and inform young people about careers in engineering including study routes, salaries and qualifications.

Posters and handouts

Parent's Guide to Engineering Careers

A parents' guide to engineering careers from Tomorrow’s Engineers. Order printed copies by emailing us at careers@ice.org.uk

Posters and handouts

CREST Awards

CREST awards are available for a range of civil engineering related activities (transport, environment, engineering, international development). Look for the Star and SuperStar Awards.

Posters and handouts

BBC Bitesize

Some great resources mapped to the curriculum at all age groups and by UK nation.

Follow-up activity

ICE Exhibitions

Our central London exhibitions are free to go to and are accessible for young people and adults of all ages with plenty of hands on engineering fun too.

Follow-up activity

Tomorrow's Engineers

The ‘go to’ web-site for young people to find out about engineering. They also have great free printed resources to order for young people, teachers and parents.

Follow-up activity

Engineering Development Trust

Their First Edition, Go4SET and Open Industry schemes great ways to find out about engineering in more depth.

Follow-up activity

Dream Big film

An inspirational 3D film showcasing the work of engineers across the world.

Follow-up activity

Sixth-form colleges and upper secondary (15-18 years)

Our aim is to help young people who have chosen maths and sciences that engineering careers are creative, rewarding and fun, and to encourage those who show an interest in civil engineering. We assume most opportunities to engage with this age range will be through talks or school careers fairs rather than classroom sessions, but we have suggested some follow-up ideas as well.

Please do read our guidance for working with children and young people.

Rise to the challenge

A follow up presentation to 'What is Civil Engineering' for older pupils which gives more information on civil engineering careers and how to get into the industry.

Presentation

What is Civil Engineering

To help you introduce civil engineering for a talk to a class or assembly.

Presentation

Parent's Guide to Engineering Careers

A parents' guide to engineering careers from Tomorrow’s Engineers. Order printed copies by emailing us at careers@ice.org.uk

Posters and handouts

From Idea to Career

A booklet from Tomorrow’s Engineers exploring 12 areas of engineering along with information on entry routes, salary ranges and useful websites. Order printed copies by emailing us at careers@ice.org.uk

Posters and handouts

Vocational and apprenticeship routes into engineering

A booklet from Tomorrow’s Engineers about vocational routes into engineering. It explains the various levels and types of courses which are available and the opportunities for apprenticeships. Order printed copies by emailing us at careers@ice.org.uk

Posters and handouts

Engineering at university

A booklet from Tomorrow’s Engineers about studying engineering at university. Order printed copies by emailing us at careers@ice.org.uk

Posters and handouts

Arkwright Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded to high-calibre 16 year olds through a rigorous selection process and support students through their A-levels, Scottish advanced highers or equivalent qualifications.

Follow-up activity

Engineering Development Trust

EDT’s range of schemes offer exceptional opportunities to find out more about engineering.

Follow-up activity

Pre-university / college reading list

We’ve put together a list of interesting books to check out if you are planning to study civil engineering at college and university.

Follow-up activity

QUEST Scholarships

ICE offers undergraduate and technician scholarships to students studying in the UK.

Follow-up activity

ICE Exhibitions

Our central London exhibitions are free to go to and are accessible for young people and adults of all ages with plenty of hands on engineering fun too.

Follow-up activity

See our advice to students on their subject choices

Advice for:

At school

Up to 16 years

School / college

16-19 years

College / university

18 years +