DIY Homeschooler

James Watt was an interesting character in history. He is widely known for harnessing the power of steam. In this activity, students will learn more about Watt, explore the uses of steam, and understand the three states of matter.

Read the following story about James Watt:

There are many different kinds of giants. James Watt discovered a powerful one in a very strange way….

There was once a little Scotch boy who liked to play in the kitchen and help his mother as best he could. His name was James Watt, known to all the world as the inventor of the steam engine. One day as his mother put on the kettle to make tea,
she said to her son, “Now Jamie, my lad, watch the kettle and see that it does not boil over.”

Jamie said, “All right, mother. I will watch it for you. There is nothing I like so much to see as the old kettle when it begins to puff and sing and rock the lid back and forth.”

So Jamie pulled his chair near the fire, just as hundreds of boys have done before and since and sat down to begin his watch. If the kettle should start to boil over, he could prevent it by pushing off the lid.

By and by the kettle began to sing. Now Jamie was a clever boy, and was always trying to find out about things. So he said to himself, “What makes the kettle sing?” He sat thinking and thinking about the question until his mother came in. Then he said to her, “Mother, there is a giant in that kettle. Listen, you can hear him sing!”

His mother only laughed and said, “Oh, you silly boy, how could there be a giant in so small a kettle. There is nothing in it but boiling water.”

“Yes, there is, mother. There is a giant in it. Listen, and you can hear him rattle the lid and make the kettle sing. He is strong, too; and if that lid were twenty times as heavy he could lift it just the same and make it dance about.”

“Very well, Jamie, let’s call him a giant, but what is the name of your fine giant, Jamie?” asked his mother, laughing at him again and wondering what he meant.

“His name is Steam, and he is stronger than a hundred horses,” replied the boy.

Little Jamie was right, and as he grew up his interest in the powerful giant increased. By the time he became a man he had formed a plan for conquering the giant and making him do all manner of work.

His plan took the form of an engine driven by steam. His first engine was very crude, and people laughed at it, as silly people usually do, but James Watt kept right on working until his engine was a complete success.

Because it stood still did not run on wheels his invention was called a stationary engine. Such engines are used in shops and factories. Railroad engines are called locomotives.

Of course, modern steam engines are vastly better than Watt’s first engine, but everyone is willing to do him honor and give him credit for having invented the first engine to be driven by steam.

— Amos Watt

Suggestions

(Ask your students to do one or more of the following.)

• What was the name of the giant?
• What did James Watt make him do?
• What type of things do you like to find out? Make a list.
• Choose one thing on your list to tell me about (older students can provide a written description, younger students an oral one).
• What was James Watt’s attitude when “silly people” laughed at his idea?
• Discuss the three forms water can take. (Liquid, solid, and gas.)
• Which form is steam? (Gas.)
• What do we call water when in a solid state? (Ice.)
• Create a flip book showing the three states of matter.
• James liked to watch the kettle puff and sing. Draw an illustration showing the kettle puffing and singing.
• Read the book about “Puffing Billy.”
• We talk about harnessing horses. James said Steam was stronger than a hundred horses. How is steam harnessed?
• What type of work can steam do? Hint: Two are listed in the text (run factories and shops, and power locomotives).
• Learn more about James Watt.
• Create a character essay for James Watt.

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Further Investigation

“James Watt and the Teakettle”
Read another version of the story.

100 Best Books for Children ~ Bolton
James Watt is one of the Poor Boys Who Became Famous, a book by Sarah Knowles Bolton.

The Steam Locomotive: A Unit Study
On July 25, 1814, George Stephenson completed the Blucher, a steam-powered locomotive. Unit study to learn more.

Free History Studies: Robert Fulton
Robert Fulton invented the first commercially successful steamboat. Unit resources.

Internal Combustion Engine: A Unit Study
Engines run by steam are called external combustion engines because the fuels are burned outside the cylinder itself. Explore the difference between internal and external combustion engines.