Invitation to quote Design of science and technology workshops for schools and families CultureNL Museums and Heritage would like to invite fully costed proposals from experienced science communicators with knowledge of the Curriculum for Excellence for the following work. Background: CultureNL Museums holds a Recognised Collection of industrial history and related social history objects. The service has two main museums which support science, engineering and technology subjects. (See Appendix 1) Purpose: To engage pupils and families with the industrial history collection of North Lanarkshire through practical, activity based workshops. The activities must be appropriate for a school/museum environment. Brief: There are three elements to the work: 1a Write, test and produce hands-on science and technology activities for upper primary schools that form a 90 minute workshop that is also adaptable for use with families as a weekend or school holiday 30 minute science show. You will provide a written outline for both the school workshop and the science show with detailed instructions for each activity. 1b As per 1a but for lower secondary classes. It is anticipated that some of the activities may be the same in 1a and 1b. 2 Provide in-house staff training so the service can deliver the sessions confidently. 3 Provide a detailed list of the equipment and materials required to produce these activities. The activities must use easily available equipment from recognised suppliers and makers and these suppliers must be included in the list. Overall: The activities should be suitable for upper primary and lower secondary levels. Your must be aware of gender issues and ensure that the activities are inclusive. The activities must support analytical thinking, inquiry and investigative skills. The activities must support group and individual working and discussion. The activities must be risk assessed and be suitable for the audience and staff. Subjects: Forces, electricity and waves at second and third level. Materials at second and third level Topical science at second and third level Collection links: The Vulcan: Scotland’s first iron boat – canals, materials and floating Steam power and motion – Newcomen engine, James Watt and related objects Transport particularly trams, bicycles, cars, motorbikes, trains Coal mining particularly gasses and explosions See Appendix 1 for full details. Deadlines: For questions: Please put questions by email to [email protected] no later than Friday 20 November 2015. For completed applications: Please supply a fully costed proposal (including VAT if applicable), timescale in days, estimated travel costs, and a current CV by Friday 4th December 2015 at 5pm. References: Will be requested for the successful applicant. Completion of work: by negotiation. Completed responses and any questions to: Lu McNair Learning and Access Manager CultureNL Ltd Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life Heritage Way, Coatbridge. ML5 1QD 01236 638352 [email protected] 1 Appendix 1 Please note before printing that this Appendix is 13 pages long. About the collection of North Lanarkshire Overview of the collection North Lanarkshire Council’s collection covers the main industries of Scotland with an emphasis on iron, steel, coal and engineering. This is complemented by a collection of prime movers and artefacts connected with a range of ancillary industries including, confectionary manufacture, brickmaking, curling stone manufacture, gas treatment & supply, paper manufacture, printing, textiles and laundry. The social history collections provide an important record of the impact of industrialisation on Scottish society. Key categories of material include objects relating to the Co-operative movement, friendly societies, political reform, education, leisure, culture and identity. While archival, photographic and oral history collections provide strong associated and contextual information. Within each of these areas there are objects and sub-collections of national significance. For example, the Summerlee Ironworks excavation produced the most comprehensive assemblage in Scotland, which is complemented by other unique artefacts from the Scottish pig iron and malleable iron industries. The steel industry collection is the finest in Scotland, especially the items relating to Colvilles, Dalzell and Ravenscraig. The collection covers the entire history and production process of steel manufacture in Scotland, along with fine examples of specialised products. Scotland’s engineering heritage is also well represented with a unique collection of spade forging equipment and boiler making equipment. While a comprehensive collection of mining tools, equipment and machinery depicts the history of the great Lanarkshire coalfield. Together, with artefacts relating to a range of manufacturing industries, the industrial history collection reflects the diversity of Scottish ingenuity and industrial enterprise. Historical Background Lanarkshire was one of the major centres of the Industrial Revolution in Scotland. At the turn of the 19th century its recently discovered rich natural resources were exploited at a time of great advancements in science and technology, bringing about a major transformation in Scotland’s economy and society. As the industrial heart of Scotland, the contribution Lanarkshire made to the nation’s industrial development and economic success cannot be underestimated. 2 In 1828 a revolution in iron-smelting began when James Beaumont Neilson invented the ‘hot blast’ process. This transformed the industry, cutting the cost and time of production, and improving the quality. The raw materials available in Lanarkshire - splint coal and blackband ironstone were ideal for this new process. This gave Lanarkshire a competitive advantage over other iron-producing areas and by 1870 the area dominated the Scottish pig iron industry. The presence of these raw materials was also the main impetus for the development of heavy industry in the West of Scotland. Keen to exploit this new process ironworks were quickly established. In Coatbridge alone, pig ironworks at Summerlee, Gartsherrie, Dundyvan and Carnbroe all opened in the 1830s. Coalmines were also established all over the area. They fed the ironworks but also gave birth to other industries including brickmaking, engineering and machine tool making. Lanarkshire became one of the major centres of heavy industry in Scotland. This continued into the 20th century with the development of the steel industry at Ravenscraig, Colvilles and Dalzell. The area was home to a range of other industries making a vast array of finished products, including locomotives, cranes, wire rope, nuts and bolts, boilers, engines, coal cutting equipment and confectionery. This range of industries and products reflects the diversity of Scottish ingenuity and industrial enterprise. Lanarkshire’s raw materials and finished products were in demand all over the world. In 1872 Scotland exported 617,000 tons of pig iron around the globe. Iron and steel was shipped for working up into products abroad; local iron played a key part in the industrialisation of America, France and Germany and was exported throughout the British Empire. In the West of Scotland it was used to build steam locomotives, ships, submarines, buildings, bridges, cars, domestic appliances and all kinds of machinery. Sections of the famous Clyde built clipper ship, the Cutty Sark as well as the Titanic and Queen Mary were all was built using Lanarkshire iron and steel. Motherwell steel was used to build the famous Mulberry Harbours, which were a crucial part of the Allied invasion of France in 1944, while local fireclay bricks were used to build furnaces in France, Holland, Russia, India, Australia and North America. The museum’s industrial history collection is a material record of these great industries and of the important contribution Lanarkshire and its people have made to the industrial development of Scotland and beyond. Pig Iron, Malleable Iron & Steel Collection Summary: The collection is significant and comprehensive as it covers the pig iron, malleable iron and steel industries in Scotland. Objects in the collection include clothing, medals, machinery, certificates, art, tools and samples of finished products. They cover the varying production processes employed in Scotland during the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection includes the archaeological excavation of Summerlee Ironworks, which unearthed over 500 objects relating to the production of pig iron. The steel industry objects are the finest and most comprehensive in Scotland with over 150 of them being linked with Ravenscraig Steelworks. Significance: The collection provides an important record of the development of the iron and steel industries in Scotland during the 19th and 20th century; from pig iron, malleable iron to steel. Each industry 3 employed varying production methods and produced different end materials, but they were often interlinked by location, raw materials and ownership. The development of the pig iron industry was essential to the industrialisation of Scotland during the 19th century. The production of cheap pig iron is believed to be one of the major forces behind the rapid industrialisation of Scotland. Huge amounts of Scottish pig iron were exported around the world to countries including Germany and the United States. Bars of pig iron could be used to make a wide range of castings including ornamental railings or sections of machinery.