Prepare to Launch

Design, build and test an aircraft to launch from an aircraft carrier catapult system.

This hands-on session begins with an introduction to the forces of flight, and the importance of design to stable flight. Pupils will design their own aircraft and build it from a range of balsa wood templates.  Flight tests will be carried out from a moving aircraft carrier model, and pupils will have to measure, record and evaluate the success of flight.  As part of working scientifically, pupils will need to repeat their investigations making improvements based on their initial results.

Curriculum Links:

• Science: Forces, working scientifically, and use of scientific vocabulary
• Design & Technology: Design, construction, trial and improvement leading to evaluation of overall design
• Maths: Measuring and recording

Eject to Safety

Design, build and test an ejection seat.

This workshop begins with an introduction into ejection seats and the forces acting on a pilot.  Pupils will have to work together in teams to construct a model ejection seat kit.  Tests will be carried out to assess the quality of build, and whether they can launch pilot Ted from his aircraft.

Curriculum Links:

• Science: forces, working scientifically, and use of scientific vocabulary
• Design & Technology: design, construction, use of basic tools, trial and improvement leading to evaluation of overall design
• Maths: measuring and recording

How does a Helicopter Work?

Design, build and test an autogyro to discover how a helicopter works.

This workshop begins with a short tour of the helicopters in the Museum focusing particularly on the shape of rotor blades. Pupils then work in teams using a kit of pre-prepared helicopter blades to assemble an unpowered helicopter (autogyro). Pupils can choose from a range of variables to investigate, including; blade shape, blade size, number of blades and diameters to achieve the slowest and safest rate of descent for the team's teddy bear. Pupils will need to measure and record the time it takes for their autogyro to reach the targeting mat.

Curriculum Links:

• Science: Forces, working scientifically, and the use of scientific vocabulary
• Design & Technology: Design, construction, use of basic tools, trial and improvement leading to evaluation of overall design
• Maths: Measuring and recording

Parachutes

Design a pararchute to drop vital supplies.

Working together as a team, pupils will need to design and construct a parachute with a protective basket to successfully lower an egg safely onto the target. Teams will be judged on design, accuracy and the condition of the egg.

Curriculum Links:

• Science: Forces (weight and air resistance), working scientifically, and use of scientific vocabulary
• Design & Technology: Design, construction, selection of materials, trial and improvemnt leading to evaluation of overall design

Periscope
NEW: book now for next academic year

Pupils will have the opportunity to see applications of periscopes first hand, in Concorde and within the model conning tower of a submarine, before designing and creating their own to take home. Throughout the activity pupils will be encouraged to think scientifically, and will have to create a sketch of their design showing that light travels in straight lines.

Curriculum Links:

• Science: Light including; reflection and application of light travelling in straight lines
• Design & Technology: Design, creation of annotated sketches and construction

Casting Shadows
NEW: Book now for next academic year

Work scientifically to investigate shadows created by airships.

The science investigation will use the scenario of airships casting shadows on the sea below. Pupils will discover how shadows are formed, and how changing the distance of the object from the light source affects the size of the shadow. Pupils will need to take measurments and record results in a table and draw simpkle labelled diagrams of their investigation. This workshop can be differentiated to suit either lower or upper key stage 2.

Curriculum Links:

• Science: Light, how shadows are formed, patterns in the way that the size of the shadows change and recognising that light travels in straight lines. Working scientifically; setting up a practical enquiry, taking and recording measurements
• Maths: Measuring and recording

Powered Buggies

Design, build, test and race a powered buggy.

Pupils will prepare and assemble the buggy before adding one of the 3 propulsion systems: a balloon, a rubber or battery powered propeller. Each of the propulsion methods focuses on a different scientific concept. Once constructed, the buggies will be tested and adjustments made before taking part in a race.

Curriculum Links (dependent on buggy choice):

• Science: Forces and motion. Electricity; construct a simple series circuit
• Design & Technology: Design, make and evaluate. Explore and use mechanisms such as axles and wheels.

Structure

Design, build and test an aircraft undercarriage.

This workshop begins with looking at the geometry and materials used to make strong but light undercarriages on aircraft in the museum. Pupils will need to work in teams to create a model of an aircraft undercarriage that will be tested to destruction to discover the maximum load it can carry. To be successful teams will need to allocate roles within the team to create a production line, helping to develop communication and teamwork skills.

Curriculum Links:

• Design & Technology: Design and build structures, exploring how to improve strength and stability
• Science: Forces and use of scientific vocabulary

Pioneers of Flight

Begin with a short tour of our pioneers gallery to find out about the innovators who made major contributions to the history of flight before the Wright Brothers. Pupils will have the opportunity to reassemble our 1/4 scale Wright Flyer Model.

Curriculum Links:

• Design & Technology: understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world

WW1 – War on the Homefront Workshop

What did war with Germany 1914-18 mean for civilians experiencing life on the Homefront?

The threat of attack in 1914 from the air changed the nature of war for ordinary civilians forever. This active learning session challenges children to explore how Britain dealt with Total War at home whilst the Nation’s young men were fighting abroad. What contribution could women, children and civilians make to protect themselves and help the war effort? Find out about Zeppelins, the U-boat threat, food shortages, working in wartime factories and coping with the news from the Front.

Touching the Past – Experiences of WW1

This investigative workshop challenges children to develop their own research questions for Museum artefacts, photographs and written sources that help reveal the experiences of men and women who served in WW1. Choices for study include a WW1 pilot, a Royal Naval Division soldier serving in the trenches, an officer serving at Gallipolli, a prisoner of war, a woman in the Navy (WRNS) and an air mechanic.

Pilot Flying School

Investigate the technology of aviation in WW1 as a new recruit to the WW1 RNAS Flying School. How to fly your aircraft; win in dog-fight; down an airship, photograph the enemy, survive an emergency; communicate from your aircraft and win a medal.

Touching the Past - Aviation at War

Investigate the experience of Royal Navy Pilots of the First World War through objects, photographs and documents. How did their service affect their lives, their families and their futures? Pupils will formulate their own investigative questions, cooperate on their research and feedback to one another.

The Battle of Britain

Investigate the first battle ever to take place entirely in the air and why it was such a significant turning point in the course of WW2. This workshop is ideally accompanied by the Battle of Britain Gallery Discovery Tour for a full Battle of Britain programme.

Curriculum links:

• History: a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological understanding beyond 1066; a local history study.
• PSHE: Develop empathy for the experiences of those who took part and for those whose futures depended upon them

Workshop: Investigate why the Battle of Britain was so significant to the course of World War 2. Explore the experience of the young aircrews; including the 54 Fleet Air Arm pilots who fought alongside their RAF and Allied colleagues throughout the Battle. This session uses aircrew equipment, photographs, film and personal records, including some for South West England, to enable young researchers to access both military and personal perspectives on the Battle. Pupils are provided with a Battle of Britain Logbook to record their research and as a resource for follow up work back at school.

WW2 – War on the Homefront – NEW IMPROVED VERSION!

What did war with Germany 1939-45 mean for civilians experiencing the conflict on the Homefront? Choose a WW2 Gallery Discovery Tour or another workshop for a full WW2 programme.

Curriculum links:

• History: a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological understanding beyond 1066; a local history study.
• PSHE: Develop empathy for the experiences of civilians at home and the impact of total war on their lives.

Workshop: What did the threat of bombing from the air and coping with life on the Homefront mean for British civilians in WW2? Learn your bomb drills and air raid precautions, examine an evacuee’s suitcase and complete an ID card or a Warden’s Report or make a gas mask box (please note that an extra charge of £1 is payable for gas mask boxes).

Life in WW2 – Other workshop choices – STILL AVAILABLE

The workshops previously offered for a WW2 Evacuation Special Programme are still available to schools studying WW2. Please contact the Learning and Public programming Department at FAAM for full details of workshops.

Workshops: Choose from:

Rationing in WW2 – Can you feed an adult for one week in WW2. Investigate, weigh, measure and plan your menus.

Touching the Past – Investigating Artefacts - devise and research your own questions using real museum objects, photographs and written sources to piece together the experiences of a range of people from WW2; at home and at war.

Wartime Classroom – Classroom numeracy using pre-decimal coinage.

Make Do and Mend – Make a purse for your wartime ID card ‘making-do’ with reused materials.