Force of the river physics teaching pack

The Thames is a working river, providing transport, trade and of course water to London but also presenting significant engineering challenges, such as defence of the city from flooding. This unit covers the topics of pressure in liquids and gases and simple machines from the key stage 3 science curriculum and uses a range of real life examples focused on the River Thames and London’s other waterways to bring the topics to life.

Using this context, students will see how their scientific understanding can be applied through calculation, to tell them about the world. Through the examples and possible visits they will see that this is at the core of designing and engineering small-scale structures such as locks and even divers’ helmets to large-scale structures such as the Thames Barrier, Tower Bridge, cranes for lifting cargo in London’s Docklands and the huge container ships and barges that sail in and out of the city.

A range of potential educational visits are suggested to build on their learning in the classroom, including the Thames Barrier, the London Museum of Water and river walks on the Thames path or on local waterways. Students’ knowledge will be connected by designing a barrier to defend against flood risks predicted for the future.