We know that many people prefer printed guides. With that in mind, to accompany the online map all of the written content on the history of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park site is available in this 100+ page PDF illustrated guidebook. It can be printed out or read on most digital devices:

Groundbreakers Guide (PDF version)

Our AR trail features 3D models, maps and presentations featuring archive images and film clips that are viewable via a mobile phone, ideally in situ at the trail locations. It is designed to work by scanning a QR code displayed on nine signs installed at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. You can also scan the the codes in our (printable) Groundbreakers Augmented Reality Trail and Map Leaflet (PDF) but please note the sign locations on this PDF need updating - the accurate locations can be found on this Google map.

Alternatively, if you don’t have a smartphone or would just like to get an idea of what it is like to view the content in the Park, you can view our YouTube videos of the augmented reality experience recorded in the testing phase of the project.

We commissioned an experienced teacher and field trip guide, Neil Larkin from Urban Geography East London, to develop some resources aimed at 11 to 14 year olds (Key Stage 3) as the Park is popular destination for school field trips.

He has devised two lesson/activity plans designed for a school group, each of which could be carried out comfortably in a half-day visit. They are aligned to the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum for geography (although they would have wider appeal), using contemporary and historical sites in the park as case studies. The notes, short videos and worksheets are free and have been designed to be easily printed and photocopied A4 size for school or youth group use.

1. Risk and Resilience in London

Historically the Park site has been used in an array of ways to manage risk to Londoners, from various threats including flooding, disease, bombing, global warming and nuclear war. Our first lesson PDF involves visiting four sites in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park where pupils will evaluate and debate risks and resilience, and in the process create their own ‘Top Trumps’ game.

Risk and Resilience downloadable resources:
teaching notes (PDF or Word)
worksheets (PDF or Word)

2. Environmental Impact over time

The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park site is situated on the banks of a river and is acutely vulnerable to environmental change. It has also witnessed dramatic industrial development, including some of the largest factories and workshops in the world. In this lesson pupils will visit the Aquatic Centre, the site of an Iron Age village and the remains of the Clarnico sweet factory to consider the historical geographies of human impact on the environment.

Environmental Impact downloadable resources:
Teaching notes (PDF or Word)
Worksheets - teacher (PDF or Word)
Worksheets - pupil (PDF or Word)

We have several guided walks, online and in-person talks and discussions in June 2022, Newham Heritage Month, which have kindly been supported by the Raphael Samuel History Centre. Events are free, but donations, which will go towards the costs of maintaining this site, are appreciated (to donate, click on the ‘register’ button here and scroll down to donate option). For the event listings, see the Living Maps events page for details.

If you would like to let others know about Groundbreakers, feel free to print out an A4 poster or postcard size handouts, perfect for a noticeboard, or pick up our postcards from the Park Information Point.
Poster (A4) Word or PDF
Postcards (two per sheet) Word or PDF