Tunnelling under Islington

Science project takes place at the London Canal Museum

The sun shone on 179 children from four Islington primary schools during their trips along the Regent’s Canal in London in June. In fact travelling through the mile-long Islington tunnel on their way to City Road lock from the London Canal Museum made a welcome break from the heat. These trips were part of a week long science project taking place at the museum organised by the museum education officer and BW learning services officer, Elaine Stanley. As well as cooling off in the tunnel the children took part in two workshops. They learnt how the nineteenth century canal engineers constructed the tunnel and made model boats to explore the forces involved in floating and sinking. They also learnt how the canal workers found out the load of a boat using a gauging rod to measure the ‘dry inches’. One teacher commented ‘A great day offering a great hands-on experience for children. All learning was achieved through practical activities.’