Summer Time Advanced Aerospace Residency

We are pleased to announce our STAAR (Summer Time Advanced Aerospace Residency) applications are now open! 

The STAAR (Summer Time Advanced Aerospace Residency) Programme is brought to you by Northrop Grumman, with the support of the Northrop Grumman Foundation, and in partnership with the RAF Museum.  It is being delivered by the Museum, Royal Air Force Cosford and TA Education.

STAAR will run on Monday 22 – Friday 26 July 2024 and Monday 29 July – Friday 2 August 2024. Students who wish to apply must be available for these dates. There are 20 spaces available for each week of the residential - with 40 spaces available overall.

STAAR is designed for Year 9 (Scottish S3) students who demonstrate an interest or aptitude for one or more STEM subjects. The STAAR programme is open for students nationwide and all spaces are fully funded.

How to Apply - Applications are now open!

New for 2024, our application process is the most accessible one yet.

To apply, please complete the application form here.

To apply for STAAR 2024, students must complete the application form in conjunction with a teacher, school representative or organisation leader.

Applications are open until midday on Friday 19 April 2024.

The application form includes questions about the student's interest in STEM, a personal statement from the student, supporting teacher statement and contact information for the student and their school.

In the student personal statement, students must tell us about themselves, their interest in STEM and why they want to take part in the STAAR programme. There is a maximum character limit of 4000 for the student statement, so be precise and accurate with your statement. Please note, applications submitted without a student statement will not be considered.

Teachers, school representatives and organisation leaders will have to submit an accompanying teacher statement in support of the student. Please use the statement to explain how the student shows an aptitude for STEM and why being part of the STAAR programme would benefit the student. There is a maximum character limit of 4000 for the teacher statement. Please note, applications submitted without a teacher statement will not be considered.

Please note any applications that are made by students alone or their parents/guardians will not be accepted.

To apply, please complete the application form here.

Printable Version

If you would like to complete a printable version of application form to be filled in by hand, please click here to download the form. 

Once you have completed the form, please email a scan of the completed application form to STAAR@rafmuseum.org.

The STAAR team will be in touch with successful candidates on Monday 13 May via the school/organisation email provided.

There are 20 spaces available for each week of the residential - with 40 spaces available overall so ensure to give the application form your best shot!

Check out our handy flowchart below to guide you through the application process whether you are a student, parent/guardian or supporting party.

STAAR Application Process 2024 Flow Chart

For more information, please see our FAQ's page or get in touch at staar@rafmuseum.org.

Key dates:

Monday 5 February – Applications for STAAR 2024 open.

Friday 19 April – Applications for STAAR 2024 close at midday.

Wednesday 21 February - Information Webinar 1 about the application form. You can view the recording here. 

Wednesday 20 March - Information Webinar 2 about what to expect from STAAR. You can join the townhall webinar at 3:30pm by clicking here. 

Monday 13 May – Successful applicants are contacted.

Monday 22 – Friday 26 July – STAAR Week 1.

Monday 29 July – Friday 2 August – STAAR Week 2.

Webinars

We will be hosting two information webinars where you will be able to tune in to find out all the information you need to know about STAAR! You will also get the chance to meet the team behind STAAR, sneak previews of course content and video tours around the STAAR accommodation. 

Wednesday 21 February @ 3:30pm till 4:30pm

Webinar 1 will focus on explaining the application form in more detail alongside an introduction to STAAR and what to expect.

You can view the webinar here, the webinar begins at 03:12 minutes.

Wednesday 20 March @ 3:30pm till 4:30pm

Webinar 2 will focus on what to expect from the STAAR residential, including meeting the STAAR team and information about the curriculum, accommodation and evening activities. This webinar is perfect for a prospective applicant who may be nervous about the residential element of STAAR.

Click here to join the webinar.

The webinars are hosted in townhall in Teams meaning you will be able to ask us any questions using the Q and A function as we go through the webinar.

Please note you will need the teams app to join in the webinar.

If you are a teacher, school representative or organisation leader with a cohort of students who may be interested in attending STAAR why not host a watch party where you can all gather to view the webinars.

If you are aged under 16 you must have parental permission to view the webinar.

Residential

STAAR is an immersive, fully-funded, hands-on residential camp, like no other. The curriculum is centred around hands-on learning which is delivered at the RAF Museum Midlands and on base at RAF Cosford. Learning is supported by RAF Museum Access and Learning team, industry experts from Northrop Grumman, TA Education professionals and RAF STEM personnel.

STAAR students will have the exclusive opportunity to experience flight simulators, drone flying and explore the exciting world of engineering in aviation. Throughout the residential there are opportunities to engage with industry professionals from a variety of backgrounds. This is partnered with fun social activities in the evenings to help students work on their team building and communication skills.

This is what previous STAAR students had to say about their experience!

The programme is funded by the Northrop Grumman Foundation and all places on the STAAR programme are provided free to the selected students.

If you have any questions, please check out our FAQS or get in touch by emailing us at STAAR@rafmuseum.org.

We wish you the best of luck in submitting your application.