STEM Programmes

Please see the Planning Your Visit page for entrance and workshop prices

Parachutes

Teams design a parachute to drop vital supplies.

Teams are given basic materials with which to design and make a parachute to drop vital supplies (ie an egg) undamaged onto a dropzone. Pupils will need to calculate the loading on the parachute and the average speed at which it descends.

Curriculum Links:

• Science: forces and motion
• Mathematics: percentages and measurements to allow calculation of surface area
• Design & Technology: solve design problems, test and evaluate product

Codebreaking

A practical activity deciphering codes from throughout the ages

Our codebreaking session will take you through how codebreaking has been used through the ages, from the Roman age to present day. Pupils will have a chance to test their skill on these puzzles and patterns throughout the session, beofre finally becoming WW2 codebreakers working with Morse code.

Curriculum Links:

• Design & Technology: Analyse the work of past and present professionals and other to develop and broaden their understanding
• Mathematics: Problem solving
• History: Challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world, 1901 to the present day.

Ejection Seats

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 system. Tests will be carried out to assess the quality of build and whether they can launch pilot Ted from his aircraft.

Curriculum Links:

Science: Working scientifically, forces and motion and energy changes

Design & Technology: design, construction, use of basic tools, trial and improvement leading to evaluation of overall design

Structure: Fixed Undercarriages

Teams design, manufacture and assemble undercarriage structures and test them to destruction.

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

How does a Helicopter Work?

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

Pupils will work in teams using a kit of pre-prepared helicopter blades to assemble an unpowered helicopter (auogyro). Depending on time available, they will test either blade types, sizes or numbers to achieve the slowest ans 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 target mat. Thier tour during the visit will also give them the opportunity to look at real helicopter blades, informing their testing.

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

Prepare to Launch

Design, build and test an aircraft to operate from an aircraft carrier.

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 the flight. As part of working scientifically, pupils will need to repeat their investigation making improvements based on their initial results.

Curriculum Links:

• Science: forces, energy conservation and working scientifically
• Design & Technology: design, construction, trial and improvement leading to evaluation of overall design

Turbine Buggies

Create and test turbines to discover the most efiicient design.

The workshop begins within an introduction to how a turbine works. Pupils will work in teams to develop an enquiry based investigation into find the most effective turbine design. Teams will present their conclusions at the end of the workshop before competing against each other to discover the ultimate turbine design.

Curriculum Links:

• Science: Working scientifically, forces and motion, current electricity and renewable energy
• Design & Technology: Design, construction, trial and improvement leading to evaluation of overall design