Aerospace Bristol ignites passion for STEM among young minds
Aerospace Bristol has learning and education at the heart of its work. It strives to be a hub where history and cutting-edge innovation converge to inspire the next generation of engineers. The museum’s learning programme has been developed in close collaboration with industry partners to expand STEM skills and the diverse opportunities in the field for young pupils.
Aerospace Bristol’s Learning Manager, Charlie Clark shares her favourite STEM field, “I am fascinated by the Engineering side of STEM. We have some excellent examples of feats of engineering at Aerospace Bristol, including the incredible Concorde. It never ceases to amaze me what humans have been able to invent.”
She further adds, “In the Learning team we deliver an exciting STEM workshop that asks teams to follow a brief to physically build a Mars Rover framework around our robot. This activity incorporates teamwork, engineering, maths and design skills. I absolutely love how all participating teams, no matter the age or background, approach the challenge in different ways, just as companies in the Aerospace sector would. “
From making paper rockets for launching on a mission to exploring Concorde’s engineering feats, young minds can discover the thrill of STEM through inquiry-based workshops suited for Early Years Foundation Years to A-levels.
Aerospace Bristol is dedicated to making STEM more accessible. Donations from the Engineering Futures Appeal have allowed the museum to enhance its learning materials, upgrading to iPads, laptops, robots, and rockets. Additionally, Aerospace Bristol has expanded its support for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) pupils by adapting workshops and materials, including creating resources for visually impaired students and offering personalised sessions for special education groups.
The museum’s Fundraising Manager, Nicole Squire says, “Aerospace Bristol is excited to get behind STEM learning and celebrate the incredible contribution of STEM to the advancement of society. In doing so we can engage and inspire the next generation of STEM ambassadors which is something we aim to do every day through our Engineering Futures programme which combines Bristol’s rich aviation history with stories of the remarkable people who made it possible to deliver inspiring education sessions to thousands of children each year.”
The museum’s gifted volunteers who are aviation engineers, enthusiasts and community members, bring a wealth of knowledge and passion for young minds to learn from. Some of them share their journeys in STEM fields.