September 26, 2022
It’s a new school year and for us that means the resumption of our popular ‘Take Flight!’ curriculum-based programs.
Education programming has been a priority for the Royal Aviation Museum since 2005 and since then, we’ve delivered programming to more than 90,000 students. Building on that success, we’re excited to launch six new programs, five of which are STEM-focused.
New programs for 2022-2023
Our five new STEM programs were designed by Maria Nickel, a celebrated educator and recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Maria is also a Honeywell Educator Advanced Space Academy Alumni and Ambassador and was a Canadian Space Agency Astronaut recruitment selection in 2016-2017. Maria’s knowledge, creativity, and enthusiasm for education are huge assets to the museum.
These new programs with titles like Toys in Space, Invisible Forces, Save the Suit, Ship the Chip, and Green Fuel Rockets, illustrate solid curriculum points in areas such as Forces & Structures (Grade 7); Astronomy (Grade 9); Design & Inquiry Process (Grade 10); and Physics (Grade 11). Maria also has several more in development for the next school year.
What is STEM education?
According to Invent.org, “STEM-based education teaches children more than science and mathematics concepts. The focus on hands-on learning with real-world applications helps develop a variety of skill sets, including creativity and 21st-century skills. 21st-century skills include media and technology literacy, productivity, social skills, communication, flexibility, and initiative. Other skills attained through STEM education include problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, decision making, leadership, entrepreneurship, acceptance of failure, and more.”
One of the museum’s goals is to develop strategies that will inspire the next generation to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace. According to pre-pandemic studies from the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace (CCAA), there is predicted to be “a major shortage of 55,000 skilled workers in Canada’s aviation and aerospace industry by 2025.” [1]
These new STEM programs are designed to address this shortage by showcasing real-life applications of science, technology, engineering, and math to the aviation and aerospace sectors.
What else is new in RAMWC’s programming?
In addition to our five new STEM programs, we’ve developed a new Grade 11 History program on Canada’s contributions to WWII aviation. Through the use of primary documents, maps, and aircraft, students will gain an understanding of Canada’s role in the Second World War and how it shaped our nation.
We’ve also expanded our Children’s Programs team. Joel Ramos and Candace Kostna have joined our education department to help deliver our programming.
All our programs are professionally designed and delivered in our new, world-class facility. Education is an important aspect of any museum, and RAMWC is proud and pleased to uphold this tradition.
To learn more or to book one of our school programs, contact Pam McKenzie or visit our Education page.
[1] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/teaming-up-address-canadas-aviation-aerospace-labour/
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