Meet Katie
This NUSTEM Encounter features Katie McConville, a Research and Development Engineer from Northumbria University.
Watch the YouTube video to learn all about Katie, and then scroll down for a simple-to-do STEM at Home activity.
Pixel art activity: overview

Did you know that all images that you see on computer screens are made up of tiny squares called pixels? In this activity you will use a pencil, a ruler and some colouring pens to create your own pixel art.
What you’ll need
- Paper
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Felt tips, colouring pencils, felt tips.
Alternatively, you can print out these PDF grids or create your own 10 x 10 grid in Word.
Suitable for:
Age 5 and up – with younger children, you will need to make or print the grid for them.
Duration:
About 10 minutes
Safety notes
You know your children better than anyone, and you should judge whether they’re ready for this activity.
You might want to think in particular about:
- Felt tip pen lids can cause choking.
Careers link:
Games designer
Attributes: communicative, creative, tenacious
What to do
Step 1
First you need a grid. You can print one out using this link and then go to Step 5, or you can make your own.
To draw your own grid, put the 0 on your ruler on the edge of your page in the top, left-hand corner. Make a mark with your pencil every centimetre. Stop when you reach 10 cm.
Step 2
Mark off 10 centimetres down the side of your page. Next, mark off 10 across your page, starting from your bottom dot. Finally, mark off the centimetres going down the page so that the dots create the outline of a square.
Step 3
Join the dots opposite each other, with a pencil line across the square. Remember to use your ruler!
What you’ll need
- Paper
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Felt tips, colouring pencils, felt tips.
Alternatively, you can print out this Blank grid PDF or create your own 10 x 10 grid in Word.
Suitable for:
Age 5 and up – with younger children, you will need to make or print the grid for them.
Duration:
About 10 minutes
Safety notes
You know your children better than anyone, and you should judge whether they’re ready for this activity.
You might want to think in particular about:
- Felt tip pen lids can cause choking.
Careers link:
Games designer
Attributes: communicative, creative, tenacious