This term, our students are diving into a history topic titled ‘Revolutions’. They will be exploring a big question: The Industrial Revolution changed the world—how can learning about the past help us prepare for the future?
Here is what they will be working on over the term:
- Life Before & After the Machine Age: Students will look at what life was like in rural Britain before the 1800s and discover how new technology, natural resources, and global trade changed everything.
- Connecting Past to Present: They will explore how society and the economy shifted back then, and compare those changes to modern developments like today’s AI and tech booms.
- Creative Projects:
Individual: Each student will create a fictional character from the era and write a diary from their perspective.
Group: Working together, teams will create a project focused on an aspect of the topic they are most passionate about.
Kickstarting the Unit with a Trip to MOTAT
To spark their imagination, all 1,500+ students kicked off the topic with a trip to MOTAT to see history up close. During the visit, students participated in an educator-led workshop, completed a scavenger hunt around historical sites like the Pumphouse and Victorian Village, and took a ride on the tram.
Getting to see real artifacts in person was a fantastic way to bring the 1800s to life, and students have spent their first lessons back at school reflecting on what they discovered.
During my visit to MOTAT, I witnessed some spectacular displays. Once I got off the bus, I ran towards the array of trams on show. MOTAT contained plenty of exhibits, including trams, cars, and interactive galleries relating to science. The incredible displays allowed me to explore the world of science without going through complicated experiments and diagrams. I was taught about the evolution of the Industrial Revolution. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience where I got to travel with my friends, allowing me to have a great time exploring and learning with them.
By Richie Wang Room 22
Louise McMenamin – HOD Science and Social Sciences
