Key Stage 3 Educational Activities
World War II: Propaganda
An in depth study of WWII posters with the emphasis on the difference between advertising and propaganda. Music of the period, together with speeches by Churchill and Hitler are used to set the scene. The students then use items and clothing from the handling collection to create their own 'poster'.
Activity type: Led by museum staff
Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Cost: £10 per session (maximum 30 per group)
Timetables for a complete museum visit are provided
World War II: Handling Collection
This session enables the children to handle artefacts associated with WWII. The handling collection is presented to the children who are encouraged to use their senses to interpret objects rather than focusing on their purpose. A worksheet will be provided, including a range of questions the children may want to ask about each object. The children will also have the opportunity to handle and try on historic clothing.
Activity type: Led by museum staff
Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
Cost: £10 per session (maximum 30 per group)
Timetables for a complete museum visit are provided
World War II: Meet the Veterans
A presentation followed by a question and answer session with personnel who experienced the Second World War at first hand.
Activity type: Led by museum staff
Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Cost: £10 per session (maximum 30 per group)
Timetables for a complete museum visit are provided
Cold War: National Service
Many of the UK military personnel who were involved in the Cold War were National Service recruits. This session gives a flavour of what life was like as a recruit. During the course of the session learners will find themselves following orders, maintaining their kit and taking part in a parade square drill.
Activity type: Led by museum staff
Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Cost: £30 per session (maximum 30 per group)
Timetables for a complete museum visit are provided
Cold War: Timeline
This session enables learners to handle various cultural artefacts from the Cold War period. These illustrate the changing face of popular British culture over the past 50 years, taking in popular figures like Doctor Who and looking at important events, like the introduction of Cheese and Onion crisps! Following an introductory discussion the learners will need to decide in which decade these items first appeared, often with surprising results.
Activity type: Led by museum staff
Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Cost: £10 per session (maximum 30 per group)
Timetables for a complete museum visit are provided
Cold War: Lost in Space
For 12 daysin October 1962, America and the Soviet Union stood on the brink of Nuclear Warduring the Cuban Missile Crisis This workshop poses the question 'what If?' imagining that the crisis had escalated to the point ofconflict. What follows is a role play activity where the learners need to make life and death decisions. Twelve people from a group of thirty need to be selected to start a new colony on the far side of the Galaxy, using one of NASA's new Saturn 1 rockets. Who will go? The learners take on the role of an individual and then have to present their case for inclusion.
Further details: Please note,no previous knowledge of the Cuban missile crisis is needed to enjoy this workshop.
Activity type: Led by museum staff
Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Cost: £30 per session (maximum 30 per group)
Timetables for a complete museum visit are provided
Cold War: Meet the Veterans
A presentation followed by a question and answer session with personnel who experienced the Cold War at first hand.
Activity type: Led by museum staff
Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Cost: £25 per session (maximum 30 per group)
Timetables for a complete museum visit are provided
The Science of Forces & Motion
This workshop is aimed at children in Key Stage 3. It can be used to help teach the science of forces and motion and the skills of scientific enquiry. Schools are able to choose from rockets, rocket cars or buggies. During each workshop children will have the opportunity of working with a variety of materials. For example, children get to design and make a realistic rocket and launch it safely. The rockets are propelled using a unique electrically - controlled compressed air launcher!
Activity type: Led by museum staff
Duration: Approximately 1 hour per workshop
Cost: £35 per session (maximum 30 per group)
Timetables for a complete museum visit are provided
