Our Year 3 pupils had another wonderful adventure at the National Coal Mining Museum recently. They were kitted out with hard hat and battery lamp and stepped into 'the cage' to descend 140m underground to discover the harsh realities of coal mining through the centuries.
Led by the museum's lively former-miner guide, the 'Meet a Miner' tour took the children on a journey through time to discover the different ages of mining, from Victorian times where women and children worked underground alongside men, through to pit ponies and modern machinery. The pupils were mesmerised to hear all about their guide's working life and experiences in the mines.
The day's activities promised excitement and thrills; and it didn't disappoint. Whether it was making fossils; exploring the museum or plunging down the mine, the children had a fabulous time.
All the children arrived back at school exhausted, but having learnt a lot more about rocks and soils. Their faces smeared with coal dust was just an added bonus!