Canal & River Trust STEM: Canal Crane - Gears and Mechanisms

Historically, our waterways have been used to carry coal, food, steel and other heavy items all over the UK. Engineers have used gear systems to enable dock workers to load and unload heavy goods onto boats. In this activity, we examine the use of gears to provide mechanical advantage and demonstrate that the maths is the same for gears as it is for levers (or pulleys or any other form of
mechanism).

Using real-life examples from along our waterways and developed with support from the Rolls-Royce Graduate Scheme, our exciting activities will bring STEM to life in your classroom.

Visit the Canal & River Trust STEM Hub for free resources, microlessons and career inspiration all in one place.