Technology

Technology

What is it? 

Although the word "technology" is usually applied in reference to the newest electronic gadgets of the current day, the word actually covers all development of tools by humans throughout history. The term comes from the Greek word "techne" which refers to art, skill and cunning of hand, and includes aspects of areas such as medicine, transport, construction, and machinery to name but a few; almost everything you see around you in everyday life is a result of technology.

What does it involve?

Technology involves the entire history of humanity's conversion of materials into something else, starting way back in ancient history with the first time a human picked up something to help them complete an activity. Current day technology is a lot more varied and complex, and the creation of new technologies has developed into a reasonably specialist area of expertise.

Why do it and what are the benefits?

Learning about the progression of technology is a great way to understand just how humanity has developed over time; for example, the evolvement of weaponry has dictated what happens in war, and new methods of travel made world exploration easier. A better comprehension of technological developments also helps you to appreciate the objects around you - even something as simple as a table is a result of a technology!

What equipment do we need?

All you should really need to provide for getting engaged with technology is a willingness to learn! However, the incredibly wide variety of things you can do involving technology means there are many possible activites - make sure to check with the venue you'll be visiting to see if you need to provide any equipment.

Who is it suitable for?

Technology is suitable for pretty much everyone - there will be aspects of the genre to suit students of all ages and interests. 

Costs?

Experiencing technology can vary from being completely free access to a public museum to a more costly visit to a track to learn about and drive go-karts - what you decide to do will depend on your budget and the age/interests of your students!

Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)

You must consider the interests of your group carefully; for example, development of nuclear weapons may not be the most engaging subject for young children!

How do we include?

Including everyone in a technological experience should be reasonably easy, as most venues that will host such events should have great disabled access and assistance - however, always doublecheck if you are uncertain!

Doing it abroad?

Many famous technological developments took place abroad, and their cities of origin will often have some great museums dedicated to educating people about it. Have a look before travelling to see if there are any such places you can visit at your chosen destination!

Main website:

Individual venue websites will provide the best and most detailed information about whats available. 

Venues with this Activity

At the London Canal Museum you can see inside a narrowboat cabin, learn about the history of London's canals, about the cargoes carried, the people who lived and worked on the waterways, and the horses that pulled their boats. Peer down into the unique heritage of a huge Victorian ice well used to store ice imported from Norway and brought by ship and canal boat to be stored.

A journey of real science through 19th Century Physics

A guide around the packed shelves of our museum va laser pointer, demonstrating some of the more interesting instruments. Featuring the development of the Electro-static generator, the Wimshurst Machine and the accessories that could be used with it.

A museum housing the world's largest selection of working vintage computers. It tells the story of computing from the 1940s Colossus computer, which helped the father of computers Alan Turing break the Nazi Enigma Code machine in the Second World War, through the monster mainframes of the 1970s, home computers of the 1980s to the Touchtable of the present.

The Anaesthesia Heritage Centre at the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland was founded from a donation by A Charles King but has since embraced numerous contributions. The collection encompasses the entire history of anaesthesia, from Morton's demonstration of ether inhalation in 1846 to modern anaesthetic machines and appliances still in use today.

The South Wales Miners’ Library has an extensive collection of books, journals and audio-visual materials, specifically selected for DACE courses. The South Wales Miners’ Library is designed to meet your study needs.

The Conduit House is part of the monastic waterworks which supplied nearby St Augustine's Abbey.

The remains of this medieval conduit house stand in King’s Park, Canterbury, on a steep west-facing hillside to the east of St Augustine’s Abbey, whose spring water supply it was built to protect.

Actviities include Ski & Snowboarding, Science-Geography-Technology Discovery, TeamWork Sports Tours, and Academy Tours for Performing & Expressive Arts.

Bethlem Royal Hospital was founded in 1247 and was the first institution in the UK to specialise in the care of the mentally ill. The hospital continues to provide in-patient care as part of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and has been based since 1930 in the outer London suburbs.

School can be fun!

What makes the Madame Tussauds Berlin as extracurricular learning place so special? It offers exciting and educational school trips that combine learning and fun.

Madame Tussauds is interactive nowadays. As part of an interactive exhibition you can test your theoretical knowledge live here at the Madame Tussauds Berlin.

The free destination for the incurably curious

The Wellcome Collection is a unique mix of galleries and events, the world-famous Wellcome Library, a

Gardaland Park is the Number 1 Amusement Park in Italy, the one with the longest history and one of the most important ones at a European Level.

At 250 metres above street level, Sydney Tower Eye is the highest point in Sydney - perfect for finding your bearings or just taking it all in.

Sydney Tower Eye is the perfect place to start your Sydney adventure. With views stretching out as far as the eye can see in all directions, there's no better place to find your bearings.

The National Space Centre is the United Kingdom's leading visitor attraction that is devoted to space science and astronomy. 

The Centre has on display one of the only known Soyuz spacecraft in Western Europe. It also encompasses the Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium.

Exmouth Museum was first opened in 1985 and is housed in a 19th century building which was the Council Stables together with the adjoining foreman's cottage.

The world’s first iron bridge was erected over the River Severn here in 1779. Britain’s best-known industrial monument, the bridge gave its name to the spectacular wooded gorge which, though now tranquil, was once an industrial powerhouse and the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. Ironbridge Gorge is now a World Heritage Site.

Travel back in time and discover the history of the Potteries and of Staffordshire.

See the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found on display, plus the world's finest collection of Staffordshire ceramics, Reginald Mitchell's WW2 Spitfire, Ozzy the famous pottery owl and all sorts of art and craft.

THIS HISTORIC MILL, HOME TO THE JORDAN FAMILY FOR OVER 150 YEARS, WAS REVOLUTIONARY FOR ITS TIME AND COULD BE COMPARED WITH THE DAWN OF THE INTERNET AGE TODAY…

Come and visit us for a yesteryear experience

Home to the renowned Strumpshaw Steam Rally, the museum houses a nostalgic collection of traction engines, steam rollers, tractors and beam engines. 

There’s also a Christie cinema organ and fairground organs and you can take a countryside walk or a trip on the narrow gauge railway to explore the grounds of the old hall.

Unique steam-powered Cornish beam engine in action

Part of Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site, this is the only Cornish beam engine anywhere in the world that is still in steam on its original mine site.

The famous Levant engine is housed in a small engine house perched on the edge of the cliffs.

Drayton Manor is a fun-filled theme park near Tamworth with rides like Apocalypse, Maelstrom and Pandemonium, animals and of course Thomas Land, home of Thomas the Tank Engine. There's even a 4D cinema and a Dino Trail.

School Visits

This museum, housed in Burrells original paint shop, tells the story of the Charles Burrell Works – a Thetford business that once employed 350 people and supplied beautiful and reliable steam-powered engines throughout the world.  

Denny Abbey has a unique and fascinating history. 

Founded in 1159 as a Benedictine monastery, it then became a retirement home for elderly Knights Templars. After the Templars’ suppression for alleged heresy in 1308, it became a convent of Franciscan nuns before becoming a farm from 1539 and the dissolution of the monasteries, until the 1960s. 

The last working water-powered forge in England

The last working water-powered forge in the country nestles in the middle of Sticklepath village on the edge of Dartmoor, near Okehampton. During lively demonstrations see and hear the large water wheel and tilt hammers in action. Demonstrations of the machinery every hour. 

Visit the tallest windmill in the South East of England, built in the early 1800s

Quainton Windmill is a great place for kids to learn about the history of windmills and this one in particular.

It was originally restored in the 1970s but is currently undergoing further restoration at the moment, (which means the sails have been removed)but it is still an interesting place to visit.

Gold mines in use from Roman times to the 20th Century

These unique gold mines are set amid wooded hillsides overlooking the beautiful Cothi Valley.

2,000 years ago, the powerful Romans left behind a glimpse of gold-mining methods. The harsh mining environment continued in the 19th and 20th centuries, ending in 1938.

Guided tours take you back to experience the conditions of the Roman, Victorian and 1930s underground workings.

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British schoolgirl assaulted on school trip to Iceland

hotel corridor

A viral video shows a black girl being assaulted by a white woman in a corridor.

Police in Iceland are investigating after a British schoolgirl was slapped and chased by a tour guide in a hotel corridor.

The schoolgirl, 13, who attended Harris Girls’ Academy, was assaulted whilst on a school trip to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. The incident occurred at Hotel Örk, Hveragerdi on 13th October.