16 March 2009

School children to quiz Russian space expert

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford and Wednesfield High School, Wolverhampton are offering the school's Year 7 pupils the opportunity to experience 'first hand' space and space travel, in a series of intriguing and surprising interactive workshops.

Taking place on Tuesday 31st March, Space Day is aimed at using the school's specialism in engineering to explore the subject of space and travel.  Eight workshops in total will cover all areas of the National Curriculum in a fun and innovative manner - with the Museum's multi award-winning National Cold War Exhibition, including the exhibition's Space Race Hotspot, supporting key aspects.

Students will have a once in a lifetime opportunity of interviewing Dr Martynov, former Head of Ballistics at the Russian Mission Control Office, in a true East meets West encounter.  

Other exciting workshops which will bring science to life include the examination of comets by students; those shards of ice and chemicals that reveal the early days of our solar system.

Dr Ashley Green who pioneered the teaching of robotics to school children, will demonstrate with 'Lego' and 'Meccano' models, how Mars' surface is explored by NASA and other space agencies. Students will then produce a newspaper article on space exploration.

The whole of Wednesfield High's Year 7 will be taking part in these innovative and enthralling workshops and will be supported by Year 10 Citizenship and Media Studies students who will be reporting on the event live as part of their GCSE coursework before rounding off the day with a final report of the day's events.

Mr Matt Smallwood, Director of Engineering at Wednesfield High School Specialist Engineering College says:

'Space Day' is the opportunity to explore 21st Century Learning by taking away the confines of the four walls of a classroom and motivate learning through the inspirational environment of the Museum, where engineering prowess surrounds the students, and inspires the provider to 'think outside the box'.

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is open daily from 10am - 6pm.  Entry to the Museum and parking are FREE.  For further information, please call the Royal Air Force Museum on 01902 376200 or visit the Museum website www.rafmuseum.org.