Key Stage Two
Our outreach and on site activities
Lighting the Way
What was it like to work in the darkness of a mine tunnel? How did miners overcome the problem of darkness in the mine?
Aims of the Workshop
- To understand the problem of no natural light when underground
- To safely compare light sources from different periods of time
- To be aware of Humphry Davy’s role in the development of electric lighting and the miners’ safety lamp.
- To explore the use of reflection in lamps
What happens on the day?
Activities in our dark room include comparing old and modern light sources, with demonstrations of genuine mining lamps from different ages. We consider the pros and cons of this range of lights, and experiment with light and dark resources to discover a purpose for reflection.
Main themes: Science (Light), History (Significant historical events, people and places)
Don’t forget to bring your torches if you have them!
ACCOMPANYING RESOURCES
Outreach
For this workshop, the standard Outreach session would be suitable for this age group and available to local groups. Alternatively, the Mini-Miners! outreach would be suitable for younger students. A charge to cover petrol costs applies. Please discuss your options with a member of the Learning Team.
Loans Box
To complement this workshop, the Light and Dark Loan Box contains a Dark Den, lights and sensory activities for learning through play.
Alternatively, the Mining History Loan Box introduces the basics of hard rock mining through both replica and genuine objects, photos and information.
Hard Rock Challenge
Do you know your granite from your tin? Take on the Hard Rock Challenge and discover that not all rocks are hard and grey! Uncover the fascinating world that lies beneath your feet...
Aims of this workshop
- To understand that rocks and minerals are found underground and have different properties
- To see a mining example of how basic scientific concepts have been put into practice to get tin metal from its ore
- To encourage enthusiasm for minerals, science and mining using hands-on activities
What happens on the day?
In the Peninsular of Minerals Gallery, students are introduced to the huge variety of rocks and minerals that can be found underground. Your guide briefly explains how the minerals got underground illustrating the basic concepts of the Rock Cycle and formation of Cornish tin.
The students investigate Geevor rocks and their properties during the hands-on ‘Hard Rock Challenge’ to decide how miners could simply identify rocks by comparing and testing texture, hardness, weight and appearance.
The workshop is supported during the rest of the day by activities such as crushing and sorting rock in the hand-drilling session; seeing how scientific processes are put into action in Geevor’s Processing Mill, and also in the sensory underground tour, where tin ore can still be seen in situ. Panning for gems to take home is also a winning attraction for students and teachers alike!!
Main curriculum themes: Science, Geography, History.
ACCOMPANYING RESOURCES
Outreach
For this workshop, the standard Outreach session would be suitable for this age group and available to local groups. A charge to cover petrol costs applies. Please discuss your options with a member of the Learning Team.
Loans Box
To complement this workshop, there is an Experiments with Rocks Loan Box, which contains similar activities as will be done onsite during the Hard Rock Challenge, but could be used in class as reinforcement activity.
Alternatively, the Mining History Loan Box introduces the basics of hard rock mining through replica and genuine objects, photos and information, and complements any site visit.