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.

Serious Thinking for an Economic Model!

Though the future shows little more than a sea of services, rather than the skilled workmanship of hands on people, we know that the STEM arena is going to play a huge role in the background.

To start with, we need to think back to World War 2. The handy skills of the common person were highly regarded. Where were they needed? From the flight planning of arial-raids, to the amazing ladies that built planes in our factories, they were, arguably, just as heroic as the people who risked their lives on the battlefield.

Those skills haven't gone away, they're still there. The apparent threat of war is a great elixir for energy and spirit, making even the most 'couch-potato-y' of us to rise into action. Though the war was all encompassing, rations making us control our diets and regular drills designed to keep us safe, we still had a better sense of pride.

I certainly hope that the future doesn't harbour a new war, the effects of it should be a learning experience though. How can these skilled moments create a better future now?

Even though there will be factories and general manufacturing in existence, we need to make sure that more people can access the interesting side of STEM. We are bogged down with the more mundane aspects of the disciplines.

Science: This is often seen as dorky, just bubbling chemicals and white coats, accessorised with a set of safety goggles.

Technology: This one is an anomaly. Though people relate to this one more than any of the others, it runs in the opposite direction. What I mean by this, is that many people only look at the surface of it. The actual background skills involved can be monotonous. PCB creation and hefty planning are but some of these. There are enjoyable aspects that cross over to the other disciplines.

Engineering: STEAM TRAINS! Okay, this is quite bold, but engineering feels old school! Robots do it all now, don't they? Don't we need skills to build the robots in the first place?

Mathematics: This encompasses all of these, though it is seen as very boring for many. Often belonging to the female population, there's no creativity involved, so why bother? A generalisation that is often heard.

These after thoughts are a burden on the otherwise specialised interests. We will never be able to draw those in that have NO interest, but there are many that have the interest but have never been given the channel in which they can follow.

To the point! The future can be great if we acknowledge the need for these skills. Those that have little access to resources, and the ever present issues belonging to money! The world would be far better without it, but that's a post for another time.

What are our current desires and needs? More economic forms of transport and power production. Food production and the prevention of violence in society. These are but a few that are in need to be sorted. We are making amazing leaps in power production, there are photo-voltaic cells that can now produce electrical current from droplets of rain.

It is our future generations that can make further headway on these ideas. We need to encourage all of the good points of STEM and open up routes for the less fortunate and those that are 'blind-of-opportunities'. Our future economy will become a lot more stable if we have a balance of disciplines in the world. With development in power production, ease of travelling around the world, and general ease on mental health, through happiness in our day-to-day lives, could create a magnificent change.

Point of direction: Our goal now is to find those routes, the concept of Frugal STEM is as important as ever, more on this in a future post.

What do you think? How can we open up these routes? Can you think of ways to make them cheaper than ever? Whatever the method, let's grow with the climbing STEM.

The Spirit of Christmas

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, the work is about to start. If, like myself, you are a parent, you are about to enter the realms of noise and excitement. This is a joy that has most likely been left behind many years ago!

Whether the children, or even the adult, want to receive a games console, construction kit, or a spanking new train set, there will always be the need to ensure that they are set up correctly, electronics work and all packaging has been safely moved out of the way. (Though 'out of the way' can mean that another one of your brood is playing in it, taking a notable precedence over the new radio control car that you have lovingly wrapped up for them.)

This is the first year that I have felt less about the gift giving, and more about the time shared, the jolly old fellow giving hope, and those that are less fortunate. It has been coming on for years, but this time, it is far more encompassing. I have thought a lot about the news footage of those babies being carried through the streets of Aleppo, Syria. There is a vivid memory of children swinging about in the arms of their loved ones.

Did this event have an impact on you?

What is the spirit of Christmas? Are we so involved with the giving of a gift, one that is expensive and easily discarded after six months, if you're lucky? Don't get me wrong, there are gifts that are valuable; they are valuable because they are useful. 'Oh bum, my Xbox controller is broken! Ta-Da! A new one!'
Whether you celebrate Christmas, or you have an alternative belief, the joy of Noel is in us all.

My first message is about giving a thought for those in pain or trouble around the world. What about the homeless in your neighbourhood? It isn't always far away, where the help can be given.
My second message is even simpler: When giving gifts, you need to remember one major thing, have you got any batteries in the drawer? If not, oh dear!

Merry Christmas to you all, and enjoy the spirit more than the things you are given. I'm not saying that you shouldn't love the gifts that are given to you, just consider the spirit first and foremost!

Take care you STEMtastic individual.

Role-Models - Why do we need them?

I remember the time when there was a key focus on teaching the young about industry. In the UK, there were many role-models that showed us the way to STEM based learning.

My favourite, Johnny Ball, was an amazing TV personality. He was able to make Maths interesting! Keen to tour the UK, he performed to schools at local theatres. I was fortunate to see one of these and had the privilege to be lured onto the stage. I can see it now, going up with a few others and looking at the physical world through our mathematical eyes. I was able to spend a little more time on stage, a fellow pupil and I were used as props for another experiment.

Imagine my associate lying across two chairs, his body sagging a little in the middle. I then step up onto his back and show how strong the human body is. 'Mathematics', I hear you shout? Why was I standing on my mate? Well, Johnny was amazing at crossing borders, though STEM was a distant thought at this point, around 1989, he was like a pioneer to me.

I strongly feel that his influence played a big part on how my adult-mind works. His thoughts, and the obsessive use of Lego, made an enormous impact on me. With the TEM aspects of STEM being given already, it was my uncle that fed me with the outdoors. The S would come in the form of biology and environmental teachings.

In modern times, these people still perform to us. Professor Brian Cox is a great example of this. His expertise in physics moved many people's interests. Other influences include TV naturalist Steve Backshall, Nina and the Neurons from CBeebies, or even Bill Nye the Science Guy, sending his message around the globe on the Internet.

These role-models help to secure a love for STEM, the same way that a star can claim they use a product, thus creating sales for the company and often creating a buzz. When we give children the chance to see different elements of STEM, it can unravel the lines in the mixed up journey that we all go through.

Those of us that love STEM subjects need to find ways of showing it off. What about the famous people who love it like we do? Can we draw them in, use their voice to promote the values that come from the key subjects?

One day, you might be the person that creates a new order of STEM-Professionals. Could your idea be the one that creates the uprising? What are your thoughts on this?

Until next time, you 'STEMtastic' individuals!

A Christmas-sy STEM!

Well, it's Christmas, that time of year, full of cheer and hope. I have been wondering recently about how Christmas could encourage STEM for children.

Despite there being a plethora of resources via services like Pintrest, colouring sheets and basic building exercises are what's available. Can we encourage giving at Christmas employing the vast choices that STEM has to offer?

I recently Tweeted a message hoping that more would be up for purchasing STEM kits this Christmas. Buying Lego or Meccano could still be a staple present. Like times gone by, we would relish in the thought of getting a set to build. Early Meccano kits were prized gifts, an expensive luxury that could spark an interest in engineering. We might say that the World Wars were fought by the skills that began in one of these boxes. I like to think that we could still achieve this, children are still into Lego in a big way, so why can't we address this?

There are a lot of different ways that STEM can be given this year. Stores, such as Maplin in the UK, sell boxes of components that make toys, trucks and even mini-computers. These encompass rich ideas involving mathematics though geometry and programming, engineering through building and construction, and technological sciences in the form of circuits and digital manipulation. The skill-set that a child can attain from these products is vast. Many have seen the benefit of a career in these fields, though this is more notable when a challenge is present. In a similar vein, STEM clubs in schools are there to provide this kind of inspiration. Imagine if schools were pushing STEM  just as home values moved there gifts the same way?

What are the key options then? Along with these kits, we can look at maths based learning when baking for the big day. What about creating Christmas videos, uploading them for all to see? Maybe children could review their gifts? This offering can help youngsters understand planning and production values in the media. Aside from the filming, you could look at engineering sets or props. There are so many ways that we can develop children's perspective of STEM. I believe it is time that we thought about the value of gifts and how they can help our children to find a passion for growth.

What about your thoughts? Were you a member of the Christmas Builders? I remember loving the thought of a new Lego set under the tree. I, for one, wont be giving up on the idea that children can make a future from even the simplest of sets.

Merry Christmas!