Year 4 discover the impressive MAAT Museum

Our Year 4 set off for an exciting outing to the Electricity Factory at the MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology) in Lisbon to complement their Science topic of 'Electricity' this term. 

To bring the learning to life, the MAAT team arranged a guided tour of the Electricity exhibition. We began outside the MAAT in the coal drop yard, where the guide explained that coal was brought in by boat from England up the River Tagus. We went into the old Tejo Power Station, where the steam generators are still housed. Our guide explained how the heat from burning the coal was made into water vapour, which then powered an electricity generator. 

After this, our guides took us into the learning room, and the children took part in several experiments. One taught us which materials (metal, wood, plastic) were the best conductors of electricity. The following experiment showed us the history of electricity using old batteries and what they looked like. We were then very surprised when we discovered we could make our own batteries using a lemon! Our guides then showed us different renewable sources of energy, such as wind, water, and solar power. 

After the experiments, the children were thrilled to be able to explore the electricity exhibition. They experimented with a thermal camera, investigated whether humans were electrical conductors and tried to discover if a bicycle could generate renewable energy for electricity. 

“My favourite part was exploring the activities and learning about how lemons can make electricity.”
Alexia 4AM

“We all enjoyed the trip. We loved learning about how electricity works.” 
Kenz 4AM

The children thoroughly enjoyed their outing to the MAAT and are very much looking forward to applying their experiences to the upcoming learning in their Science lessons. The children would like to thank Miss McDowell and Ms Figueiredo for organising the trip and Mrs Marlor, Mrs Correia, Ms Banthorpe, Ms Kaja, Miss Calver, Mr Lopes and Miss Mendes for coming with them. 

Ms Elisabeth McDowell, Year 4 Primary Teacher