Clean Silent Trains

This resource provided by Siemens, aimed at primary learners, looks at how science, technology and engineering has shaped the way we live. It is divided into four activities which link to aspects of the technology, science and mathematics curriculum.

• The power of steam - The first part of this activity introduces examples of transport from the late 19th century, evaluating steam and electric powered trains and looking at the similarities and differences between them.
• The impact of electric motors - The range of applications of electric motors is introduced and pupils identify devices which contain motors and how they produce movement. Finding examples of motors in cars and houses they then think about the applications of motors in a ‘house of the future’.
• Operating the railway - In this activity pupils apply ideas about distance, time and speed to the context of a railway. They explore how information and estimation can be used to solve problems and devise alternative solutions and evaluate them. Using the Volks Electric Railway they find the information needed to calculate the speed of the train.
• The railway timetable - This activity looks at train timetables in the context of an electric railway. The four part problem solving activity asks pupils to apply mathematical skills and logical reasoning to produce a timetable for a railway, whilst maximising the use of resources.

 The resource includes a presentation illustrating the teaching points, notes on running the activities and related worksheets.