The document provides background information on the sinking of the Titanic, including a timeline of events and activities exploring the science and history of the disaster. The timeline indicates that the Titanic collided with an iceberg on April 14th, 1912, resulting in damage that caused it to sink on April 15th at 2:20 AM. The document then outlines science and history learning activities focusing on the materials used to build the Titanic, determining how many compartments would need to fill to cause it to sink, and discussing who or what was to blame.

1. www.epistemicinsight.co
m
Why did the
Titanic Sink?

2. www.epistemicinsight.co
m
Timeline of Disaster
 Delay in construction
 Cast off from Southampton 12:00 midday on April 10, 1912
 Collision April 14
 Radio Iceberg warnings 21:52, 22:30 – did not reach Captain
 23:40 Frederick Fleet sees iceberg from the crows nest
 First officer Murdoch ordered the manoeuvre away from
iceberg
 The Titanic brushed along a submerged spar of the iceberg
along her starboard side
 Distress calls made by flare and radio
 Titanic sank April 15 02:20
Conditions: speed approx. 22 knots, temperature fell below
freezing
https://www.washingtonpost.co
m

3. www.epistemicinsight.co
m
Activity 1 Science lens
Materials used to construct the Titanic
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zhnkjhv/articles/zfcdqhv
In small groups – construct a ‘soup box’ Titanic
Test, predict & repeat – float, puncture holes
Outcomes – Observe and agree
Science Question? How many water tight compartments
would need to fill with water for the Titanic to sink?
“How the Titanic sank” (CGI video 2.41 mins) https://titanicfacts.net/how-did-the-titanic-sink/
Think
about ‘how
we know?’

4. www.epistemicinsight.co
m
Activity 2 History lens
“Who was to blame?” (Video 2.59 mins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhcQP4cSo70
Small groups – share out cards
Each card = a major character or factor
Explore the disaster through the cards and discuss
History Question? Who or what factor was to blame for
sinking the Titanic?
Context: The characteristics features of society at the time
Think
about ‘how
we know?’

5. www.epistemicinsight.co
m
Activity 3 Big Question
Big Question? Why did the Titanic sink?
Science questions/methods/norms
test, predict, causation, repeat, observation
History questions/methods/norms
evidence, facts, analysis, variety of sources
Evidence
Similarities or differences in acceptable evidence (methods)
Is it a good answer?.. How do we make it a better answer?

6. www.epistemicinsight.co
m
How amenable to science?

7. www.epistemicinsight.co
m
Plenary
How can drawing on more than one discipline help to
answer a question more deeply, particularly when it
bridges subjects?
Epistemic Insight
 Building scholarly thinking
 A sense of curiosity
 Recognise the strengths/limitations of a discipline