Development of Coal and Iron Lesson

In this lesson, students will examine the role that coal and iron production played in driving industrial growth in 18th and 19th-century Britain. They will explore key developments in iron production technology, from Abraham Darby's coke smelting method through to Henry Cort's puddling furnace, and consider how these advances made large-scale engineering projects such as the Iron Bridge at Ironbridge Gorge possible. Students will have the opportunity to achieve this through choosing their own method of learning, from reading or research options, as well as the chance to engage in extension activities. This lesson includes a self-marking quiz for students to demonstrate their learning.