STEM - RAF Museum Cosford

I am currently sitting amongst a multitude of aircraft. The Victor looks over me with its menacing glare. The Vulcan's wing sticks out over the gantry, reminding us of a time when we were close to mutual destruction.

RAF Museum at Cosford, UK

I spend a lot of time at RAF Cosford, looking closer at a different plane each time I visit. There are those that never fail to astound me; I fail to understand how some of them can hang on wires as if made of cardboard and feathers.

The general look of this museum is great. When the Cold War hall was added, it created a lot of additional room to house their impressive collection. I can remember, a few years ago (add cough here), spending time at the museum, Hanger 1 still holds those memories, and, not surprisingly, it still smells the same too. A friend from my street in Shropshire was the son of one of the Museum's managers. I still reminisce about the birthday party that he held here, sitting in the cockpit of that red jet, what a joy.

A recorded memory - so cool.

I love it here, I feel at home with all the machines, the ghosts that still move around them, and the feeling of wonder that all visiting children have in their possession. The historical values that come with the Comet and the design principles that align the rare and concept builds like the TSR2 fill me with inspiration. I always admire those that spend time restoring each aircraft, those that create the stories and those that keep the museum in tip-top condition. A moment of satisfaction must fill their tanks, not unlike the early flights of their rebuilds.

Go down to Hanger 1 and look for James May sitting next to his 1:1 Model Spitfire. Look at how many aircraft, you can spot, that you may have seen fly? The roar of the Vulcan and the popping of the Hercules' propellers leave an eternal ring in my ears, more memories from being here for many of the annual air shows.

James May with his 1:1 Model Spitfire

If I was to ask for anything, I would love to see the Victor a little more clearly. It is such a demonic looking aircraft, the cockpit looks like it wants to hurt you, staring with it's small eyes and protruding spike. A chance to go into the open aircraft a little more often would be great. I would love to sit in the cockpit of one of the big aircraft, I like the thought of sitting in the Comet's seat, absorbing the miles of decision making and runways it will have looked over.

There is so much to see, you will be shocked at the vast array of units here, with other vehicles sitting at their feet. As a place for STEM learning, it has a lot of information, you may as well put the £4 in the parking meters, I'm sure you'll need it.

For school's, there is much to consider. Just the presence of these creations, the leviathans, and the twee beauties, give you a feeling you will rarely find anywhere else. The World War 2 display harbours some German and Japanese birds, taking their spot by our own heroic machines. The museum allows for you to admire the technology of our old enemies, I see this as an important lesson. We can grace our service people with the respect that they deserve, but a lot of technology, used by the other side, saw the end of so many enemy lives too. War is harsh, this place helps you with that in a way that films, TV and the classroom's whiteboard just aren't able to achieve.

A very rare Sopwith Pup

Hats off to all that are a part of this, you do an amazing job, all machinery and buildings are in fine condition. As a place for all to come, it serves as a star on the UK's landscape. Saying that, the Cold War building looks quite interesting when you ride your bike over the hills towards the back of Albrighton, a cross between an enormous satellite dish and a giant's mirror.

If you visit, let me know what you think. Do you have memories of here already? Please share them with us. For now, may you all have a safe flight!

@BeingSTEM

How 3D printing could change STEM in Primary Schools

Engineering is a difficult subject to teach in Primary education. The lack of resources and space will keep any Science to a minimum, often following the plan that has been set down by others.

With a keen eye, you can spot some areas that STEM can be championed. With obvious ideas like a design festival or weekly challenge, there is little room for manoeuvre beyond that. We can find small tears in the school timetable, ways that are so subtle, they don't appear to exist.

Teachers have become akin to the cross-curricular possibilities, moving Literacy into their learning journeys and Mathematics into Design and Technology. This is quite simple. The fact that number work can be used in Design is quite obvious, creating writing opportunities for topics is normal too, what about the Engineering aspects from STEM?

So, what am I aiming for here? With the challenge of finding new engineers to fill the void, the heat is rising to a point where society will suffer. I have always been eager to see children given the chance to try out new ideas that spark those that are drawn to it. Tasks that are new and innovative, work like a radar, locating these individuals for teachers to hone in on.

3D printers are an incredible innovation. It is likely that they could work as one of those radars in Primary. Imagine that children are given the chance to plan, design and watch the layers of their creation grow. They look upon it like a god, waiting for the filament to form a little soldier, car or dinosaur. This concept is possible, the reality is that the draw of such a new technology will lead those to swarm toward it. With the likelihood of 3D printing becoming a 'normal' skill, just like computers in the 90s, there is a ticking clock for those that will inevitably move into an engineering field.

School could operate a share in a printer, grants or funding could purchase one of them. With minor tuition, there is little for teachers to learn about them. The future is definitely bright, 3D printers are now moving over to full-size construction, filament being exchanged for a flow of concrete. Imagine the possibilities, the creation of usable cars or a cheap way to produce shelter for those in need.

TinkerCAD - A free 3D design studio by Local Makers.

What could happen to the future if we were able to offer this or other technologies? With the price of these printers falling, the existing laptops will manage the software. Free downloads are available, so licensing is not a major issue. I hope that we can see this right now, whilst targeting those in the zone, we can be changing everybody's future for the better.

Extreme? What do you think? With funding being tight, we need to find these opportunities as the prices fall. Until next time...

Moving on from the Obvious - Access to Build

Over the Christmas period, I was trying to push the idea that we needed to keep the aged concept of children being creative builders. The days of the Lego kit are still with us, but there is little to make children interested in the engineering prospects that come with them.

Unlike the kits of the past, they are more toy-based now, the meaning has moved across to a play-centred approach. With that, I want to target those that will still see these kits as a source for their future, allowing them the opportunity to become engineers in the years to come.

This review is about the new kits on the 'block'. I have recently had a look at Wilko's Blox. They offer a range of models from spacecraft to a nifty little velociraptor. As strange as that is, they sell some very efficient designs. The model that I built was that of a snail. I am still amazed at the build quality, even in the youngest of hands, the blox hold together with an undeniable grip.

Quality for £2!

On the whole, the quality of the pieces is impressive, unlike the early days of replicating Lego, these bricks hold together very well and the instructions are easy to follow. There is a clear comparison between the aesthetic of each model offered by Wilko against 'the leading brand'. The end results look great but lack the detail that the designers at Lego are able to achieve. Saying that, for the price point on show, they are more than adequate.

The kit that I adore the most, is that of the hot air balloon. The kit is very sweet and allows for a generic option for both boys and girls. As an aviation enthusiast, the airport is also a must buy at some point. At a price of £14, these would set you back at least twice that price for Lego. There are times when Wilko has sold these at half-price. I was able to purchase five sets, of varying sizes, for less than £10! It looks like there is a block-building toy that is in most people's price range.

Potentially bridges the gender gap.

Major STEM points to consider are the fact that the components are fully compatible with Lego, and the boxes are printed with both the dimensions of the resulting item, and a reminder that you can build anything you want. A must if we want to inspire those that are open to it.

Accessible pricing for all.

Look out for my extended-kit-review, in more detail, on my YouTube channel at MeegoshMedia. I will be covering the 5-in-1 Spacecraft Kit, Robotic Motorcycle and two bonus mini-kits.

Happy Building to you all!

NOTE: Images are property of Wilko.com.