Building Bridges
Introduction
This lesson builds on what children already know about bridges. It begins by
classifying the different types of bridges by structure - block, arch and
framework - and then gives children the opportunity to try building their own
out of a variety of different materials.
National Curriculum Links
- KS2 Mathematics Ma3 Shape, Space & Measure: Understanding
Properties of Shape 2b
- KS2 Science Sc3 Materials and Their Properties: Grouping &
Classifying Materials 1a
Learning objectives
- To be able to classify the simplest forms of bridge.
- To understand how these bridges are built.
- To understand the importance of three dimensional shape in constructing
bridges.
- To understand which materials are most suitable for building bridges, and
which are not
Differentiation
- All children will learn that there are different types of bridge, and that
they are built in different ways
- Some children will learn which materials are most suitable for each type of
bridge.
- A few children will learn which bridge types are suitable for each type of
situation.
Tunnel Engineering Challenge
30-45 minutes
Introduction
Interactive workshop.During this session we will assume the role of
canal engineers. Explore the geography of the local area with reference to how
the growth of the canals and the structures along them helped to shape the
landscape the see today. They will in pairs dig a tunnel through sand castle in
order to discover the importance of strength in a structure and use our new
interactive exhibit to discover the importance of the arch. Students will work
in small and larger groups to solve problems posed by canal engineering.
National Curriculum Links
- KS2 Science Sc1 Scientific Enquiry: Ideas and Evidence in Science 1b,
Investigative Skills 2a & b, Considering Evidence and Evaluating 2i, j,
& k, Sc4 Physical Processes Forces and Motion 2d
- KS2 Geography Knowledge & Understanding of Places 3
Learning Objectives
- To introduce the word 'engineer' and explain what it means
- To understand the difference between a river and a canal
- To understand the reasons for the construction of the canals.
- To understand how the canals were constructed.
Guaging Rod
Introduction
A
guaging rod is a calibrated pole that ws used in the working days of canals to
measure how low in the water a boat was lying. Printed tables were kept at toll
offices showing the unladen weight, and depth in the water, of all the boats
using that canal. Tolls were charged according to weight of cargo. By comparing
the unladen position in the water with the laden position, measured with the
guaging rod, the toll clerk could tell how much weight of cargo was on board
the boat and therefore how much the toll would be. The museum has a guaging rod
in position alongside its centrepiece exhibit, the narrowboat Coronis.
This workshop extends the knowledge of floating & sinking that children
have already acquired at Key Stage One. It introduces the concepts of gravity
& upthrust, investigates the effect of shape on buoyancy, and how a gauging
rod was used by making models of them both.
Learning objectives.
- To understand the meaning of the words float and sink.
- To introduce the concepts of gravity & upthrust
- To explore the influence of shape on the buoyancy on a body of plasticine
of a a given mass.
- To find out how a gauging rod was used to measure the relative balance of
upthrust and gravity in testing how laden a narrow boat was
- To introduce Newtons as a measure of force.
National curriculum
- KS2 Science Sc3 Materials & Their Properties: Grouping &
Classifying Materials 1a; Breadth of Study 2a.
- KS2 Mathematics Ma3 Shape, Space & Measures Understanding
Measures 4a; Breadth of Study 1d
Differentiation
- All children will learn the meaning of the words float & sink, and be
able to group a selection of common materials according to whether they are
buoyant or not.
- Most children will learn that a balance between upthrust and gravity
controls whether an object floats or sinks, and that a gauging rod can be used
to measure the relative balance between the two.
- A few children will understand that the shape of an object of given mass
will affect whether it floats or not.
Transport and Invention
Introduction
This lesson develops children's sense of the continuity of history. It shows
how inventions are often built upon on what has been achieved as a result of
earlier inventions. It looks at the history of transport and inventions, and
asks children to sort forms of transport, and inventions, into chronological
order.
Learning Objectives
- To be able to recognize and name a selection of forms of transport, and
inventions.
- To be able to sort these into a correct chronological order.
- To be able to estimate when major inventions were made
- To understand the way in which many inventions build on what has been
discovered before.
- To use words such as century, year, and other time related words such as AD
and BC correctly
National Curriculum Links
- KS2 History Organisation and communication 5) Pupils should be
taught to: (a) recall, select and organise historical information (b)use dates
and historical vocabulary to describe the periods studied (c) communicate their
knowledge and understanding of history in a variety of ways
Differentiation
- All children will learn that different methods have been used to transport
goods during historical time.
- Some children will learn the order in which the forms of transport and
major inventions appeared.
- A few children will learn what needs the inventions were a response to, who
some of the major inventors were, and what some of the major social effects
were.
