By the end of the activity you should be able to:

• identify areas of Wales where different materials come from.

• Use different resources to find out more information about Welsh materials and their properties.

Neath

Bethesda

Clogau

Aberystwyth

Anglesey

Gwydyr

Wrexham

Click on the blue buttons to find out more about Welsh materials

WELSH MATERIALS

Shotton

Llandaff

Coal mines

Coal

• Coal has been mined in Wales for thousands of years.• Think about the properties of coal.• Why do you think that coal was in such demand over the last

centuries?• Why do you think that most mines in Wales have now closed?

This is a picture of one of the slate quarries in Bethesda

Slate is being used to cover the roof of this house.

Think about the properties of slate.Why do you think slate is a good material to cover the roof of the

house?

Welsh gold is famous throughout the world. Sadly, the Welsh gold mines have now closed. These rocks were found in mid-Wales. They

contain particles of Welsh gold.

This jewellery is made from Welsh gold.

Think about the properties of gold.

Why do you think that gold is a good material for making jewellery?

Sheep farming is a huge industry in Wales

This jumper is made from Welsh wool.Think about the properties of wool.

Why do you think that wool is a good material for making clothes?

This is a picture of a copper mine in Anglesey.

Parts of the Millennium Building are made from copper.

Think about the properties of copper.

Why do you think that copper was used to clad the front of the building?

Many areas of Wales are covered in forests.

This shed is made from wood.

Think about the properties of wood.

Why do you think that wood is a good material for making sheds?

This is a picture of Minera lead mines. Lead has been mined in Wales for thousands of years.

Think about the properties of lead.

Why do you think that lead is a good material to use for pipes and for using on buildings?

Can you find out why lead is no longer used for water pipes?

Shotton Steelworks.

Steel is widely used in the motor industry.

Think about the properties of steel.

Why do you think that steel is a good material for making cars?

There are many stone buildings around Wales.Think about the property of stone.

Why do you think that stone is a good material for building?

Llandaff Cathedral

Stone quarries