University teams up with RAF Museum Cosford to offer out of this world opportunities

Pupils can design a spacecraft with the help of genuine aviation specialists thanks to the University of Wolverhampton.

The University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering has teamed up with RAF Museum Cosford to launch exciting new competitions which will help schools develop their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) profile.

Year 8 and 9 pupils will have the chance to design a model spacecraft that could potentially fly on a return journey to outer space. They will receive expert advice from pilots and aerospace engineers to make it as authentic as possible.

Winners will receive astronomical prizes, with all entrants getting rewards and certificates.

In a second competition, pupils will be asked to undertake a piece of work with the University and the Museum to design a classroom in a VC10 aircraft (similar to those featured on George Clarke’s Hidden Spaces TV programme).

This will be tailored to GCSE and sixth form pupils and will provide them with a “real life” project to enhance their learning.

The two competitions will be launched at a high profile event at RAF Museum Cosford on February 24. Lord Knight of Weymouth will be a guest speaker and the event is certified by The Royal Academy of Engineering. 

Paul Hampton (Principal Lecturer Employability) said: “These competitions have been specifically designed to provide Schools and Academies with an exciting learning experience whilst raising the profile of their institutions at a regional and national level.

RAF Museum Cosford Education Manager Philip Clayton added: “This is a wonderful opportunity for pupils to design a classroom inside the VC10, which is due to arrive at Cosford this Summer. Some or all of the winning design features will be used to transform the aircraft into a working classroom that will be used by school groups visiting the Museum in the future.”

The competitions are an invitation-only STEM ambassador event. Teaching staff who are involved will receive Continuing Professional Development certification presented by Lord Knight on behalf of The Royal Academy of Engineering on the day.

ENDS

For media inquiries please contact Emma Pugh in the University of Wolverhampton Media Relations Office on 01902 322736.