British Inventors

#TheCompleteSeries5lessons

This design and technology scheme of work for lower Key Stage 2 focuses on some important Victorian inventions and more recent 20th century inventions created by British inventors and scientists. With the included slides and printable resources, your class will discover how these inventions have changed the lives of the people who use them. They'll also be challenged to consider how each of the inventions shown has been developed and changed.

Each of the five included lesson planning packs has a choice of KS2 DT activities for children to undertake, including some where they will design and evaluate products to solve problems. They'll also have the opportunity to reinforce materials in a variety of ways, inspired by famous scientists and their inventions.

This scheme of work is also part of a Topic Bundle, which is ideal if you are teaching 'Achievers and Inventors' as a cross-curricular topic.

#Lesson1ScottishInventionsAlexanderGrahamBellsTelephone

Who invented the telephone? Teach children all about one of the most significant Scottish inventions of all time, and its inventor, Alexander Graham Bell.

In this, the first of five lessons in 'British Inventors' for KS2, children will learn all about the invention of the telephone, its history, and how it has developed and changed over time. Additionally, they'll develop their evaluative skills when using string telephones, and have an opportunity to design a phone of the future.

As with all five of the 'British Inventors' lesson planning packs for Year 3/4, this pack includes a detailed lesson plan with a teaching input, differentiated activities, a plenary and assessment questions. A slideshow presentation and a range of printable resources are also included.

#Lesson2TimBernersLeeandtheWorldWideWeb

What is the World Wide Web? Who invented it? How does it differ from the internet? Explore these questions and teach children about the achievements of Tim Berners-Lee in this design and technology lesson planning pack for Year 3/4.

In this lesson (the second of five lesson plan packs included with 'British Inventors' for Years 3 and 4), children will not only consider the questions above but also think about what we all use the World Wide Web for. They'll discuss the impact of its invention, and think about how it has changed the way we communicate.

#Lesson3WilliamWilkinsonandReinforcedConcrete

This DT structures and materials lesson looks at an important British invention: reinforced concrete.

Take a look at a little-known but very significant British inventor, W B Wilkinson, the engineer who developed reinforced concrete. This lesson's included slides share information about Wilkinson's invention and its impact on modern construction. It also includes opportunities for children to investigate different ways in which materials can be reinforced and strengthened using Modroc or paper.

#Lesson4CharlesMacintoshandWaterproofFabric

Challenge children to consider the desirable properties of materials as they learn all about the Scottish inventor, Charles Macintosh, and his waterproof fabric.

What properties of materials are desirable when developing products? In the case of Charles Macintosh, a flexible and waterproof material was needed to make raincoats. With this lesson's included slides, worksheets and activities, pupils will learn all about his discoveries and invention, then go on to explore how paper can be waterproofed to make better paper boats.

#Lesson5InspiringInventors

Reflect on the extraordinary achievements and inventions of several great British inventors, and take inspiration from their work.

In this, the fifth of five DT lessons in 'British Inventors' for KS2, children will look back again at the work of inventors which they have previously studied. They'll consider the impact of their inventions: how they have changed people's lives, and how they may continue to affect the way we live in the future.

After that, challenge your pupils to draw inspiration from these engineering greats, as they invent products of their own to solve a variety of problems described in the included worksheets and activity cards.

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Curriculum Objectives covered

• KS2 - use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups
• KS2 - generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
• KS2 - understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world
• KS2 - apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures