HYEN Magnetronics and Electricity Workshops
We're backed by Innovate UK (the government's innovation agency) and UnLtd for our work making STEM fun, accessible and exciting. In our Magnetronics workshops learners build circuits that light up and buzz, understand how electricity works, and make projects that connect to everyday life. Our magnetic snap-together technology replaces fiddly crocodile clips - so whether your class includes learners with varying motor skills or mixed abilities, we ensure that everyone builds successfully. Real hands-on problem-solving, real experimentation, zero sitting and watching.Each workshop is led by qualified engineers who absolutely love teaching. We're not actors reading scripts - we're degree-qualified engineers who design these workshops because we believe every child deserves to experience the joy of building something that works. Sessions cover all relevant curriculum objectives for KS2/KS3, we provide all equipment and risk assessments, and we're a Good Business Charter accredited enterprise.
But honestly? The best bit is watching all the students faces light up when their circuits come to life!
British Science Week 2026
What happens if I add another bulb? Why isn't my circuit working? Can I make it brighter? Our workshops are built around curiosity and questioning - every circuit pupils build sparks new "what if?" investigations. Pupils don't follow rigid instructions; they experiment, ask questions, test hypotheses, and discover answers through hands-on investigation. Why does a switch control the flow? What's the difference between series and parallel? How do components affect each other? Every question leads to practical exploration, immediate results, and deeper understanding. The snap technology removes barriers, allowing all learners to rapidly test their ideas and find answers themselves rather than being told. Sessions encourage genuine scientific curiosity - pupils propose questions, design tests, observe outcomes, and ask follow-up questions based on what they discover. This is science as investigation, not demonstration. Whether questioning how everyday devices work, wondering what happens when circuits change, or asking why their design didn't work as expected, pupils experience the joy of curiosity-driven discovery. Perfect for British Science Week's theme of asking questions and finding answers through practical, engaging science investigation.
Where we travel to
We can visit your school in:
What activities are available during this school workshop?
Every workshop is tailored to your class age and ability, but typically includes:
- Hands-on circuit building using LEDs, bulbs, buzzers, switches, motors and other common electronic components. Pupils experiment with different configurations to see what works and why.
- Understanding how electricity flows through circuits, exploring series and parallel circuits, and discovering what happens when components are added or removed.
- Real-world connections linking classroom learning to everyday devices. How does a doorbell work? What's inside a torch? Why do some Christmas lights stay on when one bulb breaks?
- Electrical foundations and terminology appropriate to the age group. Younger pupils focus on complete/broken circuits, while older students explore voltage, current, resistance, and energy.
Problem-solving challenges where pupils apply their knowledge to troubleshoot circuits, design solutions to specific briefs, and work collaboratively.
All activities use our snap technology, meaning pupils spend more time learning rather than wrestling with fiddly connections.
- Hands-on circuit building using LEDs, bulbs, buzzers, switches, motors and other common electronic components. Pupils experiment with different configurations to see what works and why.
- Understanding how electricity flows through circuits, exploring series and parallel circuits, and discovering what happens when components are added or removed.
- Real-world connections linking classroom learning to everyday devices. How does a doorbell work? What's inside a torch? Why do some Christmas lights stay on when one bulb breaks?
- Electrical foundations and terminology appropriate to the age group. Younger pupils focus on complete/broken circuits, while older students explore voltage, current, resistance, and energy.
Problem-solving challenges where pupils apply their knowledge to troubleshoot circuits, design solutions to specific briefs, and work collaboratively.
All activities use our snap technology, meaning pupils spend more time learning rather than wrestling with fiddly connections.
Which curriculum topics do we cater for?
Design Technology
3D Printing Mechanics and engineering Electronics
Click to read full text Our workshops deliver hands-on Design Technology skills taught by qualified engineers. Pupils work from circuit diagrams and design briefs to build functioning electrical systems - the same electronics and engineering principles that power robots, automated technologies, and modern mechanical systems. They select appropriate components, follow technical drawings, and construct working circuits, developing core building and making skills essential for Design Technology. Sessions cover electrical engineering fundamentals including how components like LEDs, buzzers, switches and motors function, exploring the mechanics of how electricity flows through systems. Pupils apply understanding of inputs and outputs, series and parallel configurations, and learn how electronic technologies control the products and robotics they use daily. The magnetic snap-together approach enables all learners to focus on accurately constructing from diagrams rather than wrestling with fiddly connections. Whether building a traffic light system, constructing an alarm circuit, or creating projects that integrate with their broader Design Technology work, pupils gain practical engineering knowledge and technical skills they can apply across future design, construction and making projects.
Computing
Robotics
Click to read full text Our Magnetronics workshops provide the foundational knowledge essential for understanding robotic systems and modern electronics. Pupils explore how circuits control outputs - the same principles that power robots, automated systems, and programmable devices. Through hands-on building, they discover how electrical components work together to create functioning systems. Learners also troubleshoot problems (why isn't my LED lighting?), test solutions (what happens if I add another component here?), and apply logical reasoning to predict outcomes - core computational skills that transfer directly to coding and robotics.
For schools wanting to extend into Computing curriculum objectives, we offer an optional add-on to integrate micro:bits into the sessions, allowing pupils to program and control their circuits digitally.
Physics
Electricity and circuits Current electricity (KS3/4)
Click to read full text Our workshops bring electricity and circuits to life through hands-on physics investigation. Pupils don't just learn about electrical circuits - they build them, test them, and discover why they work (or don't).
Through practical experimentation, they explore complete circuits, series and parallel configurations, and how electrical energy transfers through systems to power components.
Pupils observe real physics in action: why does adding a second bulb dim the first? What happens when you change the circuit path? How does a switch control current flow? They investigate voltage, current, resistance and the relationship between them, developing genuine understanding of electrical physics principles through direct observation.
The snap connections enable all learners to focus on the physics rather than struggling with equipment, allowing rapid testing of hypotheses and immediate observation of results. Every circuit pupils build demonstrates fundamental physics concepts - energy transfer, complete vs incomplete circuits, the effect of resistance, and how electrical systems behave. This practical physics investigation develops scientific thinking, encourages hypothesis testing, and makes abstract concepts tangible and memorable for all learners.
Engineering
Click to read full text Taught by engineers, our workshops deliver real electrical engineering. Pupils learn how engineers design, build and troubleshoot electrical systems, applying the same problem-solving processes used in professional engineering. They work from circuit diagrams, select components based on specifications, construct functioning systems, test their builds, and debug when things don't work first time - experiencing the complete engineering design cycle.
Most sessions cover fundamental electrical engineering principles: voltage, current, resistance, series and parallel circuits, and how components interact within systems. Pupils discover why engineers choose specific components, how to read technical diagrams, and what happens when circuits fail. The magnetic technology we engineered specifically enables all learners to focus on engineering thinking rather than manual dexterity.
This is the foundational engineering knowledge that underpins robotics, automation, renewable energy systems, and every electrical device they use. Whether they're designing alarm systems, building traffic light circuits, or creating custom electronic projects, pupils gain genuine engineering skills and systematic problem-solving approaches that prepare them for STEM careers and further engineering study.
Team Building
Click to read full text Building circuits together naturally develops teamwork - pupils must communicate clearly, share equipment, problem-solve collaboratively, and support each other when things don't work first time. Our workshops create genuine opportunities for cooperation as pairs or small groups work towards shared goals, testing ideas together and celebrating when their circuits light up or buzz. Our snap technology ensures everyone can contribute equally regardless of ability - no child is sidelined because they struggle with fiddly connections. This builds confidence and encourages peer support, as pupils discover they can help each other succeed.
Sessions involve collaborative challenges where groups must design solutions to specific briefs, requiring discussion, planning, and division of tasks. When circuits fail, teams troubleshoot together, developing resilience and communication skills as they work through problems systematically. The hands-on nature breaks down social barriers - pupils focus on the shared task rather than social anxiety. Whether supporting a classmate who's stuck, explaining their thinking to a partner, or working as a team to complete a challenge, pupils develop collaboration skills, patience, and the ability to work effectively with others towards common goals.
What size groups do we cater for?
We tailor our delivery to suit your school's needs. We've delivered to over 150 students in a single day by running multiple class-sized sessions throughout the day.
We work with groups ranging from small workshops of 10-12 students up to full classes of 30. Each session ensures every pupil gets hands-on time with the equipment and individual support when needed. Sessions can run back-to-back to accommodate multiple classes, so we can deliver to your whole year group or entire school in one visit.
Whether you want small focused groups, full classes, or whole-school coverage, we'll work with you to create a schedule that fits your timetable.
We work with groups ranging from small workshops of 10-12 students up to full classes of 30. Each session ensures every pupil gets hands-on time with the equipment and individual support when needed. Sessions can run back-to-back to accommodate multiple classes, so we can deliver to your whole year group or entire school in one visit.
Whether you want small focused groups, full classes, or whole-school coverage, we'll work with you to create a schedule that fits your timetable.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Our workshops are built around accessibility from the ground up. The magnetic snap-together technology we developed specifically addresses fine motor challenges - components click together easily without requiring precise grip and coordination. This makes our workshops particularly effective for pupils with dyspraxia, physical disabilities, or coordination difficulties.
For learners on the autistic spectrum, sessions provide clear structure with predictable cause-and-effect outcomes. The hands-on, multi-sensory nature (see the circuit, feel the magnetic connection, hear the buzz) works well for different learning styles, and pupils can work at their own pace. The visual and practical approach also benefits pupils with dyslexia, as there's minimal reading required - instructions are demonstrated clearly and repeatedly.
Our qualified engineers adapt the pace, complexity, and support level to match your class needs. We can simplify instructions, break tasks into smaller steps, or provide one-to-one support where needed. If you have specific requirements for particular pupils, please let us know when booking and we'll tailor the session appropriately.
Who are HYEN?
HYEN is an award-winning EdTech company working across England to make STEM education fun, accessible, and genuinely engaging for all learners. We're backed by Innovate UK and UnLtd, accredited by the Good Business Charter, and UKRLP registered as an independent training provider.
Our team of qualified engineers has delivered workshops to hundreds of learners, partnering with primary schools, libraries, and educational organisations throughout the region. All our sessions take a curiosity-first approach: instead of following rigid instructions, we encourage learners to experiment, make mistakes, and discover solutions themselves. We deliver curriculum-aligned workshops, teacher training, educational consultancy, and create innovative learning resources.
Subscribe
