World's First Underground Railway
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World’s First underground Railway Discover the story of the London Underground, one of the world’s greatest inventions. Take part in hands-on activities and gallery investigation to discover how Victorian engineers used maths and science to keep London moving. Key learning enquiry: Who built the world’s first underground railway? Pupils will learn: What an engineer is and the role he/she plays in London’s transport system. How maths and science has helped to develop London’s transport system. Why and how the London Underground was built. World’s first underground railway is supported by Siemens. KS2: Design and technology, mathematics and History Before your visit Research the Victorian period looking particularly at key engineers such as Isambard Kingdom Brunel and George Stephenson. As an extension, investigate how tunnels were made for the steam engine and railways. Before visiting the Museum ask your pupils to draw what they imagine an engineer looks like, use the outline of a person provided to help. Draw on one side of the person now and leave the other side blank to draw on after your visit. Print and cut the different image cards. Ask the pupils to sort them into groups based on things they think an engineer has been involved in making and things they have not. Discuss as a class. Watch the video ‘The journey’ (3min 8sec) https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=31&v=pf0W-8qWZVk and answer the questions provided about the video as a class. Research 5 facts about the London Underground and how it was built. Watch the video of the Northern line extension being built https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcjSnzw38iI (1 min 34sec). 2 After your visit Using the images provided think back to your visit to London Transport Museum and recap what ‘cut and cover’ means. Carry out the ‘Tackling Tunnels’ experiment to investigate the cut and cover technique. Fill out the blank side of your outline of an engineer. Compare and contrast either side of your engineer. Has your image of an engineer changed after visiting the Museum? Why? Watch the video ’Crossrail tunnelling’ (4min 44sec) and answer the questions provided about the video as a class https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3ZLGGYSIYk&list=PLZyhXyYkcZ9rduP_-uX3gjWTNU4dJbQ9v&index=5 Explore careers in engineering through resources and events: http://www.primaryengineer.com/ • Split the class into 2 groups and hold a class debate: • Group 1: People who want to have new deep level tunnels (e.g. Engineers, construction workers and lobbyists) • Group 2: People who don’t want new deep level tunnels (e.g. nervous passengers, people who don’t want to finance the project, Londoners who’s lives will be disrupted by the construction) • The teacher should act as moderator and the class could vote at the end which argument they think won (not just voting for themselves!) Write a newspaper account of the opening of the underground in 1863. Explore our Future Engineering Wonders webpage for more information Engineering is… • Problem solving • Engineering uses maths, science (especially physics) and D&T to improve the world around us. Engineering is behind everything from your smartphone to the shoes on your feet. Engineers take an idea and turn it into reality. They use their creativity to find simple solutions to difficult problems! Transport for London and Siemens Engineers help improve Public Transport In London. This picture shows all the ways their Engineers help people get around the city! Which of these has an engineer been involved in making? And which things have they not made? Mechanical Engineer Chemical Engineer Cosmetic Engineer Electrical Engineer Structural Engineer Mechanical Engineer Mechanical Engineer Renewable Energy Engineer Software Engineer Nature Nature Nature Nature Structural Engineer Nature Now using the pictures you have grouped answer these questions. 1. What do you notice about the things in each group? 2. What are the similarities and what are the differences? 3. Which of these are natural and which are man made? 4. Which ones are renewable? Watch ‘The Journey’ (3min 8sec) https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=31&v=pf0W-8qWZVk Answer these questions about ‘The Journey’ video 1. How many different types of transport can you see? 2. What does it mean to be inspired? 3. What inspires you at school or home? 4. Can you lists the different places you saw people working? 5. What is a skill? 6. Can you list any of the skills used by engineers? 7. How many different jobs can you remember? 8. Which job sounds the most interesting, and why? Watch ‘Crossrail Tunnelling’ (4min 44sec) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3ZLGGYSIYk&list=PLZyhXyYkcZ9rduP_- uX3gjWTNU4dJbQ9v&index=5 Answer these questions about ‘Crossrail Tunnelling’ video 1. What kind of railway is Crossrail? How are the trains powered? 2. Where is Crossrail being built? 3. Why do we need more train lines to connect these places? 4. How many new stations are being built? 5. What colour will the new line be and what will it be called? 6. What materials are used to build the tracks? 7. What are conditions like for workers? 8. How is modern tunnelling different to the Victorian method of cut and cover? 9. Which special kind of track is used to reduce the amount of noise? 10. What special piece of equipment is used to help drill holes in the tunnels? Can you remember what cut and cover means? Cut and Cover 4. Cover the tunnel 2. Build the tunnel 1.Dig the cut 3. Build the tracks Now think like engineers and tackle building your own tunnels! 18 19.