V-Flyer and Education

Hi guys n gals,

Just wanted to put an idea past you all for possibly raising the profile and awareness of both Virgin and V-Flyer...

I am currently the science co-ordinator [|:)] in my school (You, boy! Get that bunsen burner away from that frog!). In conjunction with one of the local secondary schools and about 6 other primaries, we are participating in a science and technology week centred around the theme of 'Space and Flight'. It will involve:

A hot air balloon on site
Starchaser rocket on site
Johnny Ball doing some talks with groups of children
Birds of prey flight demonstrations
Egg Challenge (get an egg safely to the ground with limited resources)
Water rocket experiments using the 'Rokit' pump http://www.rokit.com

As exciting as this all seems, I can't help but feel there is a major lack of anything plane-related! I'd like to try and bring this in somehow as the children are more able to relate to flying on a plane than in a rocket. Has anyone any ideas of how I could involve air travel, Virgin or even V-Flyer in some way, shape or form? [i] The event starts June 26th, BTW.

Any (half-sensible;)) ideas will be gratefully received [y]

[HighFlyer]

Hiya

Day trip to the Visitors Centre at LHR! Plenty of stuff to look at (models, uniforms etc) a mock up of Customs/Immigration is there and a flight simulator, old BA seats etc, plus upstairs you have a fab view of the runway to watch the planes take off or land - dependant on the time of day. There is a cafe there for lunch - and teas for the teachers! Plenty to keep kids amused, and for those who have not been on a plane they may find it very exciting,

As a school you may be able to get a tour or something more personal. Id give the kids the obligatory 'factsheet with clipboard' for them to spot things.

Failing that - stretch to taking them all on the 'Fear of Flying' course??

Thanks,
Sarah

p.s. Your school sounds awesome!! Never did cool stuff like that at my school!

My son has recently been doing something similar at school. He also had to do the egg challenge - what a nightmare!! we spent about 5 hours one sunday with him and piles of string, elastic, sheets of cardboard etc. etc. Years of watching Blue Peter as a child finally came in handy!!

I think Sarah's idea of the visitors centre at LHR is great. I know my kids would really enjoy it - especially the flight simulator and watching the planes take off. Most kids these days have flown on planes but I wonder how many have watched them take off from close range. I think it's only when you do this that you realise how amazing it is that a 747 actually gets off the ground.

Superb idea re: the LHR Visitor's Centre, Sarah! [y] It's close enough for a day trip and will keep me happy too

Keep 'em coming! [i]

The trip to the visitor centre at LHR sounds good.My first ever school trip(in 1970) was to the very same place(LHR).I was soooo excited.It took hours and hours on the train (to Slough and then by bus to London airport as we called it).I remember there was a paddling pool on one of the terraces (shows you how different things were back then- no flight simulators or other gizmos!!) and one of the older kids(11ish) fell in and got absolutely saturated.Some kindly staff (BOAC I think) kitted her out in in their spare uniforms and she spent the rest of the day (which ended in going down the Thames to see Windsor Castle)dressed like that.Can you imagine that happening today??? I was only six at the time but it was the most memorable of all my school trips. I even remember the name of the girl who fell in -poor kid was then sick on the river boat (I kid you not)and must have had the lousiest day ever!
Sorry for digressing but happy memories....
I don't know how big the budget is Jacq but how about taking the kids to a wind tunnel such as Airkix (it's sort of space and flight)?

Hey GB

Bearing in mind your location how about a trip to Brooklands. Concorde
G-BBDG is now open while the restoration continues.

Failing that maybe see whether there are any pilots or cabin crew willing to come in and give a talk.

Phil

I think our education programme may be helpful. Not flying related, but certainly about this little old planet we call earth. Nat. curiculum accredited (or whatever the phrase is). There is no profit in it for us, so be assured I am not selling. PM me and I will get the right person to call you.

I knew you lot would come up trumps! [y] Thank you [:X]

Basically the budget will be what the parents will pay (probably max £10 each, but £7 each will be for the coach which leaves very little for entrance fees etc) [:#]

I'll keep you informed of the events and maybe some of you could pop on over to LHR to laugh at me managing my herd of 7 year olds! They're lovely really - honest! Hey, they laugh at 50% of my jokes (out of politeness I am sure), what more can I ask for?

[Pete]

Well, depending on the day, I might be up for pointing and laughing at you, er, I mean, helping out...

Pete

Excellent...now make sure you have your V-Flyer uniform on and a pile of cards in hand to send them home with! Ooh, you should turn up and give them some V-Flyer merchandise in party bags...they'd love you forever (bribery is the only way with kids)

Are there any local model aircraft groups that could be persuaded into giving a demonstration for the kids?

I think our education programme may be helpful. Not flying related, but certainly about this little old planet we call earth. Nat. curiculum accredited (or whatever the phrase is). There is no profit in it for us, so be assured I am not selling. PM me and I will get the right person to call you.

Originally posted by sailor99
I think our education programme may be helpful. Not flying related, but certainly about this little old planet we call earth. Nat. curiculum accredited (or whatever the phrase is). There is no profit in it for us, so be assured I am not selling. PM me and I will get the right person to call you.

You already posted that above..too much rum, Sailor?!

Originally posted by GatorBaiter

Originally posted by sailor99
I think our education programme may be helpful. Not flying related, but certainly about this little old planet we call earth. Nat. curiculum accredited (or whatever the phrase is). There is no profit in it for us, so be assured I am not selling. PM me and I will get the right person to call you.

You already posted that above..too much rum, Sailor?!

My money's on a few mcuth blues!

On the VS side of this you could show them videos of the Global Flyer and Space Ship 1 (i think thats what its called. aka virgin galatic). They are on all the time on Discovery Wings and the Discovery channel so they are easy enough to get.

Oooh yes, had forgotten about that...well reminded [y]

[RichardMannion]

On the technology front, I may be able to help. Happy to supply a few items for prizes for the students, and could actually help out in person if given enough notice in advance.

Drop me a PM if interested.

Thanks,
Richard

I have a vague recollection of making aerofoil profiles out of card (and sticky backed plastic!) and sticking them in front of fans or hairdryers and trying to generate lift. That should be low budget enough to still leave funds for a visit to LHR visitors centre. Of course, we are all hoping that SRB is lurking here to dream up something extra special for his loyal customers, present and future!

oh.. can I get Johnny Balls autograph... my hero!

[HighFlyer]

IIRC, entrance to the visitors centre is free ... i certainly have not paid to go in there, only paid for the parking. Either way, im sure they would be happy to strike a deal with the education institutions.

Thanks,
Sarah

The visitors centre is a very good idea might even pop over from T5 to say hello to Gator.

PS.I will be able to supply you with some Terminal 5 mugs/T.shirts for prizes maybe you could put 1 in each gift / prize bags.

Just wanted to quickly say that I have spoken to the Head at my school this morning about all your fantastic ideas and offers...she's very impressed and almost as excited as me. MAJOR brownie points [y]

Thanks so much everyone! Keep those ideas rolling; it's great to see other people's ideas as it really does help the imagination soar. The only issue at the moment is coach costs for getting out on trips - I don't expect Gordon Brown is going to make any useful changes there today [:(]

[HighFlyer]

Can you suppliment the costs through the parents? Making the excursion payable at a few quid or something? Apologies if this is not the done thing, its been a while since i had any dealings with primary school outings LOL

If you need a tour guide for the day, let me know, im only a couple of junctions up from LHR, and any excuse to visit the Visitors Centre is a good one!

I have a couple of pictures (well, about 4 in total) of the Visitors Centre, the Immigration mock up part) if you want to see them to give you an idea on how well done it is?

Thanks,
Sarah

What a talented bunch. I only wish I had something I could offer.

I know I've posted about this before but here it is again:

http://www.silentaircraft.org

This is a research project run jointly by Cambridge University Engineering Department and MIT. The Project Manager is a friend
of mine. I'm sure they would be willing, time permitting, to host school visits and may even be able to despatch someone to give a talk at your school.

For something looking into the future of commercial aviation, this could fit the bill.

If you're interested, send me a private message and I'll supply some contact details.

Chris

Great ideas [y] I'm afraid I have nothing to offer either except to say... Can I come Miss?

S