National Grid has today launched a new STEM booklet ‘Alfie and the Archaeologist’ which will help school children learn about electricity, green energy and explain all about the world’s longest land and subsea HVDC interconnector, Viking Link.  

The book tells a story about Alfie, a 10-year-old Anglo-Saxon living in Lincolnshire, and Dawn, an archaeologist. Together they learn about Viking Link, renewable energy and how the National Grid team who built the site discovered ancient finds whilst building the interconnector. The project team worked with Wessex Archaeology who helped develop and write the story of ‘Alfie’. 

National Grid and Wessex Archaeology along with Mad Science have toured partner schools from across Lincolnshire, where over 425 children got to meet the team and take part in educational activities.  

The children learned about the discoveries made during construction, archaeology and investigated replica Anglo Saxon props. They also got to experience an interactive “electricity” session which was delivered by the Mad Science team along with meeting ‘Alfie’.  

The book is aimed at pupils aged between 7 and 11 and helps support the science national curriculum.  

National Grid Construction Director Gareth Burden said:“As a business which touches every corner of the country, working with local communities is at the heart of what National Grid does. I am delighted that the Viking Link team has been able to work with Wessex Archaeology along with schools from the area to inspire the next generation. With the launch of the book ‘Alfie and the Archaeologist’ we hope to help children learn about electricity, renewable energy and how Viking Link plays a crucial role in de-carbonisation.” 

You can read the educational, fun illustrated story here which is also packed with facts and educational activities.