CHILDREN found themselves flushed with amazement when they discovered the heritage of some of society’s most invaluable inventions.
Designer of the first flush toilet Thomas Crapper, London sewer engineer Joseph Bazalgette and inventor of the telephone Alexander Graham Bell were among a host of historical figures under the spotlight at Reid Street Academy.
Wow Week was designed to inspire children by exposing them to the inventions that have changed the world.
KS1 pupils at the Darlington primary school studied Alexander Graham Bell and made their own versions of telephones using cups and string. They also looked at the design of the London office building the Shard and the humanitarian effects of charity events such as Comic Relief.
KS2 got their hands dirty recreating sewers with pipes, water and mock ‘waste’. Starting from the Big Stink, which prompted engineer Joseph Bazalgette to develop sewers in London, they moved on to flush toilet inventor Thomas Crapper.
They also studied the impact of global figures such as Nelson Mandela, the Wright Brothers, and aviator Amelia Earhart.
Year 1 teacher Leanne Robson said: “We take them off timetable to look at everyday life, which we take for granted but often has a fascinating history. They all had great fun making sewers and couldn’t believe the size of the first mobile phone.
“Our annual Wow Week is the sort of activity they will remember in years to come and it helps make them look at the world from a different angle. It brings learning alive by incorporating literacy, numeracy, science, design technology, art and drama in a way which is a great deal of fun.”
