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Hello everyone! Today, I’m going to talk about my field trip to the Hamilton Steam Museum and the Niagara Parks Power Station. This excursion marked the start of our new unit in Science, Technology, Design, and Social Sciences studies.

Our day began at the Hamilton Steam Museum, an old building from the 19th century.

The first stop was a refurbished coal shack. We left our bags there and after the visit ate lunch there. After leaving our bags, we went into the boiler room. This massive room used to have four massive boilers that generated steam to pump water into Hamilton homes. The boilers worked by heating water until it turned to steam, which then powered the pumps through pressure. Inside, a woman explained to us that the Hamilton Waterworks was what it as originally called, how it worked, and why they built it. She also told us that the roof was made of metal! It turns out that since the boilers could explode, they made the roof detachable and metal, so that the damage would be centered there! Then, when it blew off, they just had to reattach it, instead of making a new one! Now, time for a history lesson.

The Hamilton Waterworks was made in response to a cholera outbreak that killed hundreds. It provided clean, accessible and cheap water to the entire city of Hamilton from 1859 to 1910, when better systems came along. It worked by heating water using coal, then using the steam to move the pumps next door.

Even though the original boilers were dismantled during World War II for parts used in war machinery, the museum has preserved the pumps. Upstairs, we saw two of the original steam pumps. They’ve installed an electric motor to show how the pumps used to work, but at just 1/15th of their original speed for safety and demonstration purposes.

One funny story that the guide told us involved the builder’s son, who used to ride the pump mechanism like a seesaw, for fun! Dangerous? Definitely. But he never got injured! I guess that’s what people did before video games were invented.

After lunch, we headed to Niagara and explored the Niagara Parks Power Station. We started with a walk through the tunnel leading to the base of the Falls, but to get there we had to go through an elevator that goes 180 feet into the earth! Then we walked 2200 feet to get to the viewing platform, where we got to see the falls from the ground. Fun Fact: The Tunnel was originally the drain for the water from the river, so on our way down we saw all the mechanisms and reservoirs they used to power Niagara.

When we got back to the surface, we learned about the station’s history and its connection to geniuses like Nikola Tesla. This station, one of the first to use alternating current, originally powered a 30-mile radius. Over time, more efficient stations took over, but its legacy remains. During the day, water diversion for hydroelectric power was capped to preserve the Falls’ appearance, but at night, up to 60% of the water is diverted. This explains why the Falls look different after dark!

We also learned how the station worked. Water from the Erie River was filtered and sent down turbines. The spinning turbines turned an alternator, generating clean electricity. Although the machinery is now retired and rusty, it’s a testament to engineering brilliance.

Tragically, at least five workers lost their lives during the station’s operation. Some believe the actual number is higher, with details being hushed up to avoid shutting down the project.

The highlight of the trip was the Tesla coil demonstration. This invention by Nikola Tesla showcased wireless electricity transfer within a 50-meter range. The coil didn’t just produce dazzling lightning—it also played music! We were treated to performances of the Harry Potter and Star Wars themes, as well as Thunderstruck by AC/DC.

On the bus ride home, I shared a party-sized bag of chips with my classmates, and it was gone by the time we arrived. I relaxed with a book. It was a coach bus, so we had plenty of space to enjoy the ride.

If you ever get the chance to visit these sites, I highly recommend it! Anyway, bye everyone and see you later!