Handling Boxes

Cost: Three week loan for £60.

Suitable for: P4 to P7

Coast-to-Coast Handling Box

Our Coast-to-Coast loan boxes allow classes to explore the theme of navigation through handling objects, maps, games and activities. The boxes include quality replicas of the kinds of tools Livingstone would have used to navigate across the continent of Africa, including a sextant, telescope, magnifying glass and a compass.

The box uses STEM and the curriculum for excellence as the basis for the linked activities, which are designed to develop literacy and numeracy skills.

The handling box also includes a ‘Questioning the Empire’ option, through which pupils are encouraged to think critically about the historical context of Livingstone’s travels, taking care to acknowledge the impact of Victorian exploration and missionary work.

After completing these activities, you will:

  • Know more about David Livingstone’s Trans-Africa Expedition, navigation, map reading, magnetism and creative writing.
  • You will have developed critical thinking through questioning the links between David Livingstone’s missionary work and the growth of the British Empire.

Curriculum Links

  • MTH 1-17a I can describe, follow and record routes and journeys using signs, words and angles associated with direction and turning.
  • ENG 1-31a Having explored the elements which writers use in different genres, I can use what I learn to create my own stories, poems and plays with interesting structures, characters and/or settings.
  • SOC 2-01a I can use primary and secondary sources selectively to research events in the past.
  • SCN 2-08a I have collaborated in investigations to compare magnetic, electrostatic and gravitational forces and have explored their practical applications.
  • LIT 2-28a I can convey information, describe events, explain processes or combine ideas in different ways.

Handling Box Request Form

Handling Box
Handling Box
Handling Box

We are very grateful to our key funders the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government for their support in helping us deliver the Birthplace Project.

National Lottery Heritage Fund
Scottish Government
Historic Environment Scotland
Note: Please note that David Livingstone Birthplace (and the David Livingstone Trust) is no longer part of National Trust Scotland (NTS). NTS members will therefore no longer receive discounted/free entry to the Birthplace Museum.

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