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Operation Spitfire 4 Schools programme

A package of in-school lessons with accompanying STEM kit, expert visits, museum tour and workshop, plus an extra-curricular project designed to inspire Stoke and Staffordshire's future engineers with their local history of engineering prowess.

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Overview

Operation Spitfire 4 Schools is a new Primary curriculum designed for KS2 which aims to inspire Stoke and Staffordshire's future engineers, scientists and designers. Enhance your students’ STEM knowledge & skills and instil civic pride through an engaging, place-based and relevant curriculum.

The package includes:

12-month access to a digital portal with everything needed to deliver the curriculum: 5 lessons (6 hours) including lesson plans, teacher notes, accompanying slide deck and worksheets. The aim of the curriculum is to improve pupils’ understanding of why the Spitfire is important to people in Stoke-On-Trent and to give them an understanding of basic engineering principles.
an educational visit to The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery (PMAG) in Stoke-on-Trent: Students will enjoy a guided tour of the Spitfire Gallery and take part in a hands-on workshop
an exclusive Spitfire Cockpit Simulator Experience: every student gets a thrilling flight in the Spitfire cockpit simulator
a STEM kit for your classroom: A set of materials for you to keep and use in STEM lessons
a museum loan kit: Access to additional STEM materials on loan for three weeks
expert-led learning: A visit from the Curriculum Development Officer to introduce the project through an engaging assembly or class talk.
meet a Spitfire expert: Your class will have the opportunity to learn from a special visitor, which may include an RAF engineer, a Spitfire pilot, a fighter pilot, or a relative of Reginald Mitchell.
curriculum-linked resources: Access to a comprehensive suite of History, Science, and Art & Design resources, developed in collaboration with an independent STEM academic.
an exciting competition: Students can participate in a year-end competition at PMAG, with prizes including an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to RAF Cosford.

In the pilot evaluation over 80% of primary pupils showed increased interest in STEM. “I used to think I hate science but now I think I love science because you can learn so much from it.”

Ready to take flight? The team behind the programme would love to discuss how Operation Spitfire could work in your setting.

Cost: £17 per student

Minimum group size: 30 students

Details

School subject: Technology/computing
Curriculum links: Engineering

Physics: Electricity and electromagnetism

Physics: Motion and forces

Technologies - Craft, design, engineering and graphics: Application of engineering

Sciences - Forces, electricity and waves: Electricity

Sciences - Forces, electricity and waves: Forces

Design thinking and engineering: Engineering

Physics: Electricity

Physics: Forces

Technology & design - Manufacturing

Sciences - Forces and energy: Using electricity

Technology & design - Control: Incorporate control systems in products

Sciences - Forces and energy: Forces and energy transfer

Technology & design - Control
Group size: Small groups
Participation level: Watching or listening, Hands-on
Duration: Multi-session - set days
Cost: Cost applies
Location: Offsite

The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent

Learning outcomes

Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
Attainment and progress
Learning what the engineering workplace is like
Develop engineering employability skills
Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering

Frameworks

EqualEx

Introduce and Inspire

Essential skills

The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills: