Our STEM learning programme aims to inspire Key Stage 3 students using real-life examples from along our waterways. Developed with support from the Rolls Royce Graduate Scheme, our exciting activities will bring STEM to life in your classroom!

All of our activities last about an hour (with extension work also available) and engage students in a hands-on, practical way about different aspects of canal design, use and maintenance.

Workshops

Boat Lift

Students can learn about hydraulic systems and how they are used to power boat lifts. This includes a practical investigation on hydraulic pressure and experimenting with a hydraulic crane.

Topics

Studying forces, pressure in liquids, rearranging mathematical equations.

Canal & River Maintenance

Students can learn about erosion and the causes of it within waterways, with a demonstration of erosion protection using actual canal bank protection methods, as well as learning about water quality and doing some pH testing on water.

Topics

Understanding the pH scale, forces and environments they affect, understanding different design methods, learning about river processes.

Canal Crane

This is a very practical activity on the design and building of canal cranes. Students learn about gear trains and understanding mechanical advantages, and then build canal crane models which they can experiment with to understand the most efficient way of using gears.

Topics

How mechanical systems work, understanding air resistance and friction, working with different units of measure.

Lock Design

Principles of lock design are explained by learning about water pressure and the effect it has on how water drains. There is a demonstration on water pressure, leading to the students completing an investigation using graphs of varying pressure.

Topics

Water pressure, formulating hypotheses, understanding materials.

Gauging Rod

Students learn about the historical use of gauging rods and why they were required, by understanding the effect of weight on canal boats. This is done through an activity where they can experiment with different weights on boats, and understand boat design.

Topics

Pressure in liquids, upthrust, opposing forces.

STEM Ambassador Scheme

Our STEM Ambassadors are eager to inspire your students about this quickly emerging field. Working in STEM roles at the Canal & River Trust, they are passionate about it as a career path and are ready and waiting to deliver outreach in your school. This can include talks or our specific STEM activities outlined above.