Another Successful STEM Event at RAF Halton

Serving personnel and museum volunteers from RAF Halton have held another Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, STEM, event at RAF Halton. Their mission was to educate 90 children between the ages of 9 and 11, (Year 5 and 6) about aerospace and aviation with interactive workshops promoting STEM. The children came from Willowcroft School near Didcot and Hawridge and Cholesbury School near Chesham.

Servicemen Awaiting Trade Training, SATTs, hosted the event with STEM Ambassadors from RAF Halton, Brize Norton, Benson, and Rolls-Royce Derby. The children were split into six groups and each group took part in six activities, the first one was to the Grove Conference room to hear a keynote speech by Group Captain Mark Manwaring, who is building his own light aircraft to fly round the world, (see RAF Centenary Flight of the Navigator).

The children arrived on the Station with wide eyes and beaming smiles ready to start the day, the aim of these events being to engage with young people and introduce them to the Royal Air Force and its roles both past and present. Given the incredible heritage of RAF Halton and the role it currently plays, it is no wonder that students and teachers alike are impressed with the events.

Many ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ ensued as a group of children were led into one of their activities, building their very own racing car. The children were engaging with personnel as they discussed aerodynamics and were itching to get started.

Experiencing time in one of our Link Trainers was a great opportunity to which one of the students said: ”That was so much fun, I’d love to be a pilot.”

As ever there was glowing praise from the teachers, with one saying: “I just wanted to say what a brilliant day we have had, so a huge big thank you to you and your team for the organisation.”

Another teacher, Jodie Brown from Willowcroft Community School, said: “Can I just say a massive thankyou for yesterday. It was absolutely brilliant and my children have come into school this morning telling every adult who will listen! I cannot stress how thankful we are for the whole experience.Please keep us in mind should you do any other events because we would love to come again. Many thanks.”

Station Commander, Group Captain James Brayshaw joined in the activities and is pictured with a group.

All images are Crown Copyright.

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