Year 4 Oak Immersion Day

 

Year 4 Oak Immersion Day: Inventing a Torch for a Victorian Chimney Sweep!

Year 4 had an exciting Immersion Day focused on creating a torch especially suited for a Victorian chimney sweep. We kicked off the day by learning about how lighting technology has progressed from the Victorian era to modern times. Our learning journey included discovering the contributions of inventors like Joseph Swan, Thomas Edison, and Lewis Latimer, all of whom played vital roles in developing the electric light bulb. We also had a look at some quirky Victorian gadgets to explore what makes a design practical—or not!

After that, we learned about the difficult and dangerous job of a chimney sweep in the 1800s. They often had to work in tight, pitch-black spaces. Our task was to design a torch that met specific criteria: it needed to be lightweight, hands-free, directional, and include a way to switch on and off. We began by sketching out our ideas and labelling the possible materials we could use.

Next, we got hands-on and built our torches based on our designs. Every student successfully created a working electrical circuit that included a bulb, switch, and battery. Some designs cleverly attached to a hat or belt, allowing the user to keep their hands free—just right for someone squeezing through a narrow chimney!

To finish the day, we put our torches to the test. We checked if they provided enough light, were easy to wear or carry, and met the goals of our design brief. We also reflected on what went well and shared ideas for how we might improve them next time. It was a day full of creativity, invention, and fun—and we all felt like true Victorian engineers!