Year 10 Students Take on STEM Challenge at RAF Cosford

A group of Year 10 students recently enjoyed an exciting and inspiring visit to the RAF Cosford Museum, where they took part in a hands-on STEM workshop. 

During the session, students were given the challenge of designing and manufacturing a device capable of transferring cargo from an aircraft to a land vehicle both quickly and efficiently. To support their ideas, students were granted special early access to the museum before it opened to the public. This unique opportunity allowed them to explore aircraft cargo holds up close and examine the range of land vehicles their designs would need to accommodate. 

Before beginning the build process, students organised themselves into teams and assigned individual job roles, encouraging collaboration and responsibility. They then set to work designing and constructing their devices, developing a wide range of practical skills along the way. These included creating pulley systems, conveyor belts, and electrical circuits, as well as safely using tools such as craft knives and glue guns. Students also explored mechanical systems, electronics, and pneumatics to bring their ideas to life. 

All groups demonstrated excellent creativity and teamwork, and students were praised for their effort and innovation. The winning team stood out for their ability to combine multiple ideas into one cohesive design, showing strong collaboration, compromise, and effective teamwork throughout the process. 

At the end of the workshop, students presented their finished devices beneath the wings of an aircraft inside the museum hangar. Speaking confidently in front of a museum judge, they clearly explained their designs and reflected on their learning experience. 

The visit was a memorable and enriching experience for all involved. A huge thank you to Leanne Mee and everyone at RAF Cosford Museum for delivering such a brilliant and engaging day.