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SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL VISITS

Join us for a day of discovery at the Yorkshire Air Museum

NOTE: We are unable to offer work experience placements at this time.

The Yorkshire Air Museum Learning Programme

Discover our exciting range of curriculum-linked workshops for schools. Our programmes span a timeline from 1300 to 1949 and cover a range of topics including history and STEM. Workshops can be tailored to meet the requirements of your group, and we are happy to work with you to ensure the visit supports your learning objectives. Please let us know when booking if you have any specific requests.

Workshops include guided activities with group participation, demonstrations, displays and access to artefacts from our collection. Each session lasts approximately 45 -50 minutes with a maximum of 20 pupils per group

Note: our workshops run on Thursdays and Fridays only. On other days, school groups are welcome to come for a self-guided visit.

Topic 1: The History of Flight – Past, Present and Future

Workshop 1: Development of Flight:

  • Principles of flying
  • Kites
  • Hot Air Balloons
  • Making a paper helicopter

Workshop 2: Pioneers of the Air:

  • Sir George Caley
  • The Wright Brothers
  • Emelia Earheart
  • Amy Johnson
  • Jet Pioneer Sir Frank Whittle

Workshop 3: Aircraft Development:

  • The Wright Flier
  • George Caley – Glider
  • Gas Bags (Air Ships)
  • DC3 Airliner
  • How a jet engine works

Topic 2: Hands on World War Two

Workshop 1: Life as a child in WWII:

  • Evacuation of school children
  • Rationing
  • Identity cards
  • Gas masks

Workshop 2: The iconic aircraft of WW2:

  • The History of RAF Elvington
  • Bomber Command
  • The Halifax bomber
  • Weaponry of WW2

Workshop 3: The Paratrooper Experience:

  • Role-play – what was it like to be a Paratrooper on 6th June 1944, preparing to land in Normandy?
  • Includes sound effects – the guide will provide advance warning.

These activities are suitable for Key Stages 1 and 2. Please note that we also welcome other age groups. Please contact us at learning@yorkshireairmuseum.org and we will tailor your visit accordingly.

How many pupils can we cater for?

We prefer to welcome groups with a maximum of 60 children. If your group is larger and you still wish to have guided activities, contact us to discuss the best way to organise a successful and visit.

What do we provide?

Access to an indoor space for the duration of your visit is included. We provide you with a generic school visit risk assessment, which you can use and adapt. The group organiser is welcome to visit the site free of charge in advance to assist with their planning. Each school visit operates under the guidelines of our Child and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding policy, which is available electronically upon request. 

School group booking rates

  • £7 per child for workshops / £4.50 self-guided (£5 if Halifax suite needed)
  • 1 free adult per 5 children
  • Free coach parking

Additional information:

  • We have no restrictions on taking photos or video as long as teachers have parental approval
  • Weatherproof clothing is recommended as there will be some movement around the site
  • The Museum has a shop where children can purchase small souvenirs
  • The Museum is open from 10am to 5pm during Summer and from 10am to 4pm during Winter. We are closed on Wednesdays during Winter

PLAN YOUR VISIT

To book or enquire about a school visit, please email.
learning@yorkshireairmuseum.org

Blackburn Mercury Monoplane 1911 (Replica) AH (BAPC) 130 YAM Jan.1995

The Blackburn Mercury Monoplane is regarded as the first truly successful aircraft made by Blackburn at their factory in Leeds. The Mercury I, powered by a 50 hp Isaacson radial engine, was displayed at the Olympia Aero Show in March 1911 and made its debut flying from the beach at Filey with the newly formed Blackburn Flying School. In May 1911, it flew from Filey to Scarborough and back in 19 minutes at an average speed of 50 mph, reaching an altitude of 1200 feet.
This aircraft crashed the next day when the engine seized and the propeller flew off! The Mercury I was followed by two Mercury II aircraft powered by 50 hp Gnome engines, and six Mercury III aircraft, with a number of different engines. Sadly, a Renault powered Mercury crashed at Filey in December 1911, killing an instructor and passenger.
The Museum’s replica was built for Yorkshire Television in 1979 for the Edwardian drama series ‘Flambards’, and was taxied with a car engine. It came to YAM on 10th January 1995 and after a long period in storage it was painstakingly restored to a superb display standard, and was unveiled in June 2000 by Professor Robert Blackburn, grandson of Robert Blackburn, the aviation pioneer.

AVRO 504K ‘H1968’ (Replica) AH (BAPC) 42 YAM Oct. 1994

The Avro 504 first flew in 1913. In the opening phases of the First World War, it served with front-line squadrons in the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service for bombing and reconnaissance, but from 1915 onwards the aircraft entered the training role for which it is most celebrated.

Over 8,000 Avro 504s were built. In 1918, the Royal Air Force had about 3,000, of which 2,276 were trainers.

The Avro 504 was stationed at many Yorkshire airfields, including Tadcaster near the A1/A64 junction, where a period hangar can still be seen.

The Yorkshire Air Museum’s replica was built by apprentices at RAF Halton and appeared at the Royal Tournament in 1968 to commemorate what was then fifty years since the end of the First World War. The aircraft was refurbished in early 2015 to be transported to Thiepval, Northern France, for the Somme Centenary commemoration event, on request of the British Government. In May 2018, it was also displayed at the impressive Hotel Les Invalides in central Paris for a joint RAF / French Air Force event to mark the Centenary of the Royal Air Force and over 100 years of British and French Air Force collaboration.