Transformers is a learning

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Transformers is a learning module which involves
KS3 students in thinking about science,
technology and local history. Its main purpose
is to help students identify the events and
innovations that cause communities to change.
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• CUMBRIA
• County of Cumbria created in 1974.
• Formed by combining areas of Cumberland,
  Westmorland and Sedburgh.

• Cumbria is dominated by mountains and lakes such
  as Windermere and Ullswater.
• Known as the Lake District.
• Popular with tourists, boat owners, climbers and
  walkers.

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• Hadrian's Wall
• Around 122 AD the Roman Emperor Hadrian ordered
  the wall to be built, to keep out troublemakers.

• It is 117km long, stretching from Wallsend on the
  river Tyne, through Cumbria, to
  Bowness-on-Solway.
• It may be a ruin now, but how many things built
  today would last 2000 years and keep doing their
  job?

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• Sheep Farming
• It has been an important part of Cumbria's
  economy throughout its history.
• Huge numbers reared on hill farms and moorlands.
• Cumbria has a harsh climate with low temperatures
  and high rainfall.

• The soil is thin, with bleak steep slopes.
• It is not suitable for most types of farming.
• If it were not for the sheep grazing, the land
  would return to being primarily oak woodland.

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• Mining
• Cumbria is rich with minerals.
• Evidence of mining goes back hundreds of years.
• Haig Pit, Cumbria's last deep coal mine, was
  closed in 1986.

• Coal mining dates back to the 13th Century when
  monks from St. Bees Abbey opened mines at
  Arrowthwaite.
• Some slate mining still takes place today.
• Locally mined graphite led to the development of
  the pencil industry.
• Gypsum, iron ore, granite and limestone have all
  been mined in Cumbria, which led to the growth of
  many towns, for example Shap.

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• Leisure and Tourism
• The harbour beacon at Whitehaven is one of the
  main tourist attractions.
• It celebrates Whitehaven's industrial and trading
  heritage.

• It is part of the regeneration of the area for
  maritime festivals and visits from tall ships
  from around the world.
• Leisure and Tourism is one of Cumbria's most
  important industries.
• Many people are employed in the hotels,
  restaurants and tourist attractions, especially
  during summer.

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• The Lake District
• It is the largest of the UK's National Parks.
• It contains 16 lakes and the only two mountains
  in England.
• England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike, is 978
  metres high.

• The Lake District has 2,500km of rights of way,
  including famous routes for walkers such as the
  Pennine Way and the Coast to Coast Walk.
• Windermere is the largest natural lake in
  England.
• It is 17km long, 2km wide and 67m at its deepest
  part.
• Windermere has been popular with holiday makers
  since 1847 when the railway linked it to the town
  of Kendal.

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• Sellafield
• In 1956 Queen Elizabeth II opened Calder Hall,
  the world's first full-scale nuclear power
  station at what later became the Sellafield site.
• Nuclear power stations began producing
  electricity for domestic and industrial use.

• Calder Hall was taken out of service in 2003 and
  decommissioning (dismantling) work started.
• At its peak, nuclear power in the UK provided 20
  of our electricity.
• Sellafield has developed ways of recycling
  nuclear fuel and managing nuclear waste. It is
  now a world leader in decommissioning nuclear
  power stations and new technology.

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• National Nuclear Laboratory
• Safety is the priority of the decommissioning
  work now being undertaken at Sellafield.
• Scientists working at the National Nuclear
  Laboratory have developed an instrument to help
  engineers and demolition workers.

• It is called a Radball (or Radiation Ball).
• When a Radball is new, it is transparent. As it
  absorbs radiation it gets darker.
• This indicates where harmful radiation hazards
  are present, and how severe they are.
• This knowledge is essential in ensuring safe
  operations.

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• Britain's Energy Coast
• This is a plan for Cumbria to become a centre of
  excellence for nuclear and other energy
  technologies.
• It is a regional regeneration plan to boost the
  local economy and create new jobs in energy
  industries.

TM

• Cumbria could have a major role in helping the
  country to meet its future energy needs and the
  challenges of climate change.
• The plan also includes investment in research and
  development, transport, education and training,
  health services and local facilities.
• Several partners are working together on the
  plan, including the nuclear industry, regional
  government, universities and business
  organisations in Cumbria.

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