john anderson
16-05-2009, 16:28
One of my remits as a teacher of Technology is to encourage young people to choose a project which has had an impact on Society. Another is to encourage them to investigate designs which have a history and evolution.
Battleships cover the above criteria. As I have always have had an interest in battleships and in particular the Battle of the Denmark Straits. I have tried to enthuse my students with this interest. It was not difficult to motivate them.
Generally speaking, young people, in my experience become easily bored. If its not on the television or a computer screen then in many cases it does not exist. I was looking therefore for some theme which would enthuse them. Something that would hold their interest for a whole year. Designing and building battleships has done the trick.
These young people were only fourteen years old at the beginning of the project. They were mixed to low ability. Possessed only basic knowledge of tools, machines and materials. Most of them knew very little if anything about battleships or World War II
First we spent a number of weeks investigating and planning how to manufacture a scale model of a battleship. Preparing cutting lists for materials was interesting. With so many parts it was difficult to keep track. Building a battleship from scratch for only two 55 minute periods a week takes a long time.
As can be seen from the link below HMS Hood was by far the most popular as she was built just up the coast from us. However, the Bismarck and the Prince of Wales had their supporters. No one yet for the Prince Eugen.
Its great to see young people enthusiastic about building these magnificent ships. Of course these are not replica models. There are inaccuracies. However that is not the point. The point is to enthuse young people with an interest in the ships, the reasons they were built and the horrors of war. One can also see them connecting the story of these ships to their country and their lives. They can also interact with their parents and grandparents about the story of the ships.
I though the people who use your site would be interested to see these young people and the results of their hard work.
http://www.ardtech.co.uk/page125.html
Battleships cover the above criteria. As I have always have had an interest in battleships and in particular the Battle of the Denmark Straits. I have tried to enthuse my students with this interest. It was not difficult to motivate them.
Generally speaking, young people, in my experience become easily bored. If its not on the television or a computer screen then in many cases it does not exist. I was looking therefore for some theme which would enthuse them. Something that would hold their interest for a whole year. Designing and building battleships has done the trick.
These young people were only fourteen years old at the beginning of the project. They were mixed to low ability. Possessed only basic knowledge of tools, machines and materials. Most of them knew very little if anything about battleships or World War II
First we spent a number of weeks investigating and planning how to manufacture a scale model of a battleship. Preparing cutting lists for materials was interesting. With so many parts it was difficult to keep track. Building a battleship from scratch for only two 55 minute periods a week takes a long time.
As can be seen from the link below HMS Hood was by far the most popular as she was built just up the coast from us. However, the Bismarck and the Prince of Wales had their supporters. No one yet for the Prince Eugen.
Its great to see young people enthusiastic about building these magnificent ships. Of course these are not replica models. There are inaccuracies. However that is not the point. The point is to enthuse young people with an interest in the ships, the reasons they were built and the horrors of war. One can also see them connecting the story of these ships to their country and their lives. They can also interact with their parents and grandparents about the story of the ships.
I though the people who use your site would be interested to see these young people and the results of their hard work.
http://www.ardtech.co.uk/page125.html