STEM sessions for children running this summer at Morayvia Aviation Centre
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CHILDREN are being invited to free STEM sessions at a local aviation museum.
Volunteers with expertise in science, technology, engineering and mathematics are coaching attendees during fun, two-hour classes at Morayvia, North Road, Kinloss in July and August.
Roy Haynes is co-ordinating the sessions, building on the success of last summer’s programme.
The former air electronics operator and UHI Moray instructor said: “Come along and have fun with the team at Morayvia. Learn basics of flight, build a circuit or two - maybe a radio - find out about space or even explore how you can make yourself understood in all sorts of ways including Morse Code!”
Last year, the Morayvia team offered just two topics which received positive feedback but participants requested coverage of space, electronics and communication for 2023.
It is hoped that the insight gained by the young attendees will prepare them for future careers.
Some of the sessions use resources loaned by the Scottish Schools Education Research Centre through the STEM ambassador scheme.
Roy will lead on ‘How does a 50 tonne aeroplane fly’ and ‘circuit challenge’.
Iain Wood - who flew Sea Kings and an air ambulance - is running ‘What makes a helicopter fly’” sessions.
Dave Brown, who flew on Nimrods, overseas and staff tours, is hosting ‘Clear communication - how do we do that?’ sessions.
Ian Muir trained as a navigator and taught at No6 Flying Training School and the Nimrod Training Unit. The keen astronomer is taking the lead on ‘Space - what can you see and how do you see it?’.
The team are supported
by other Morayvia volunteers to help with practical tasks and show attendees some of the museum’s exhibits.
“We have all followed career paths embracing STEM,” said Roy. “We are passionate about encouraging future generations to have enquiring minds and develop new interests and skills. STEM subjects are not a mystery, but part of everyday life!”
Each session has hands-on activities, offering insight into how they relate to the STEM subjects.
The aeroplane and helicopter sessions will look at the forces acting on an aircraft and how to control them.
Circuit challenge looks into how to make circuits work properly and expand them.
Space will help with understanding what we see and how to see it all clearer.
Finally the communication sessions will look past mobile phones, at making a simple communication system then using it while making sure the message is understood.
Check the dates at https://www.morayvia.org.uk/whatsonook and book via https://www,morayvia.org.uk/whatson
Roy finished: “Get in quick as limited places are filling up fast!”
