Working together..
Wight Aviation Museum has an extensive outreach program working with both community partners and the education sector.
Below are a few examples of projects our team have been involved with:
The Rocket Island Project
The Rocket Island School Project was a collaboration between the Wight Aviation Museum, Dover Park School (Ryde) and Winchester Science Centre.
With the aid of a National Lottery Heritage Grant the Wight Aviation Museum team where able to tell the amazing story the Isle of Wight’s history in building Britain’s biggest space rockets during the 1950’s and 1960’s.
The project involved volunteers from the Wight Aviation Museum working with Year 5 children at Dover Park School to help design class teaching plans and materials. This teaching box is now available for local schools. The Heritage Lottery grant also enabled Dover Park pupils to visit the Winchester Science Centre as part of their key STEM learning.
Anita Wilcox, Headteacher at Dover Park Primary School, said, “This project is enhancing our children’s skills, knowledge and understanding across the curriculum and we are extremely excited to be a part of it.”
WAM founder member Michael Lilley created the project in memory of his late father scientist and engineer Geoffrey Lilley OBE.
“My Dad was Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Southampton University during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. He was also a Chief Scientist at NASA well into his 80’s and I was brought up with rockets.
“I wanted to make sure local children had the chance to find out about rocket science, how they are built, learn about space travel, and that their Island was a real rocket island. I hope that many are inspired to be inventors, innovators, engineers and scientists. I would like the Island to start making rockets again which would create jobs for our children in the future.”
In the video below WAM’s Director of Education and Outreach, Brian Curtis, is seen here teaching Dover Park pupils the wonders of the rocket science as part of the project.
If you would like more information about this project for your school or organisation, please email us at: wightaviationmuseum@gmail.com
The Wight Aviation Museum would like to thank the National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for supporting this project.
Noel Turner Science Festival
The Noel Turner Science Festival is an annual event held at the Cowes Enterprise College. It started in 2016 with the primary aim of engaging pupils in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and has been growing in popularity each year, with now over 2000 school pupils now in attendance.
The Wight Aviation Museum outreach team have used this as an opportunity to tell the story of the Islands aviation history to a new generation, as well as engage them in a range of activities helping to boost their key skills in STEM subjects.
Remembering WW1 Pilot Lt. Clifford John Tollman
Wight Aviation Museums Trustee Graham Drucker used his professional background in family history research, to help trace the family members related to Lt Tollman and organise a commemoration on the 100th anniversary of his death towards the end of the first world, on the 27th September 1918.
Lt Tollman grew up in Whipingham on the Island and children from the local Priory School attended the event along side representatives from the Royal British Legion and the Royal Air force Association.
Clifford died aged just 21 years whilst undertaking aerial observations over enemy lines, his remains were never found. Although he had no children of his own Graham was able to trace surviving nieces and nephews, who were also in attendance at the event.
Lieutenants Tollman’s life is now celebrated with a display within the museum and Graham is currently compiling a role of honour to remember all of the Island Pilots who have given their lives serving their country.