Funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR funds RAF 100: Aiming for Awesome celebrates the centenary of the RAF and explores its engineering achievements over the last 100 years. There are 10 resources, each covering a different decade of RAF history. Each resource allows Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils to explore, through hands on activities, the applications of the knowledge they learn in science, design and technology, mathematics and computing.
The aim of this resource is to give students the opportunity to investigate the impact of STEM on ejection seats. Students will learn about why ejection seats are used and how they work. Before ejection seats, pilots would have to remove the aircraft canopy manually to climb out and jump! Students will learn about the first use of an ejection seat in May 1949 and how technological advancements make them a lot safer now.
Time to think: ejection seats can save lives. However, they are not used in commercial passenger aircraft. In pairs, students will discuss why ejection seats aren't used this way.
Time to make: students will get the opportunity to design an ejection seat for an RAF pilot on a bottle rocket. The RAF pilot is attached to a bottle so that when the rocket is launched the pilot detaches from the rocket and deploys a parachute to land safely.
The activities are expected to last 60 minutes.
The following items per group:
Resources
Aiming for awesome: Aircraft design investigates the impact of STEM on aircraft design
Aiming for awesome: Radar investigates the impact of STEM on radar technology.
Aiming for awesome: speed record investigates the STEM behind travelling at speed.
Aiming for awesome: Code breaking investigates the impact of STEM on code breaking and security.
Aiming for awesome: Satellite age investigates the STEM behind satellite communications.
Aiming for awesome: Disaster relief
Aiming for awesome: Logistics challenge investigates how the RAF use STEM skills when planning a mission.
Aiming for awesome: Remotely piloted air systems gives students the opportunity to investigate the use of STEM when controlling Remotely Piloted Air Systems.
Aiming for awesome: Stealth investigates the impact of STEM on the development of stealth vehicles.