Click the links below to see our free school resources.
STEM Stories
The RAF Museum’s writer in residence – children’s author Tom Palmer – has collaborated with the RAF Youth and STEM Team to write two short stories set in the Second World War. Based around famous inventions and their innovators during the wartime period, both stories are accompanied by STEM activities written by the RAF Museum.
The Letter (pdf 328kb)
- Build a “Gosport Tube” Activity (pdf 376kb)
- Spitfire Maths Activity (pdf 337kb)
Miss Shilling’s Guide to Problem Solving (pdf 324kb)
- Build a Spitfire Activity (pdf 1.01mb)
- Build a Merlin Engine Activity (pdf 911kb)
The Spitfire Fund Story
The RAF Museum’s Children’s Author in Residence, Tom Palmer, has written a time-travelling short story commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Join Yusra, Lily and Danny on their amazing adventures are revealed one chapter at a time.
Reading comprehension activities and writing challenges accompany each chapter. Written for children aged 7+.
- Chapter One (pdf 2,139kb) and Chapter One Activity (pdf 243kb)
- Chapter Two (pdf 2,372kb)and Chapter Two Activity (pdf 341kb)
- Chapter Three (pdf 2,369kb)and Chapter Three Activity (pdf 181kb)
- Chapter Four (pdf 2,027kb)and Chapter Four Activity (pdf 479kb)
- Chapter Five (pdf 2511Kb)and Chapter Five Activity (pdf 348kb)
KS1 - Falling Fractions
Parachutes save lives. Air travel has changed greatly since the first flight by the Wright brothers back in 1903, but one thing has not changed, the need for safety. There is one piece of equipment that is vital for any aircrew flying in an aircraft, and that is the Parachute. Parachutes really do save lives by helping the user land on the ground in a slow, safe, and controlled manner.
We have some parachuting questions that will have you adding, subtracting, and doing fractions all the way down.
When you’ve finished the activities, why not listen to Peter Keane talk about his experiences of being apart of the RAF Specialist Parachute testing team. He took part in nearly 2000 jumps, and in one of them set a world record in 1967 for a jump from 42,500ft (or 8 miles) high!
For an additional activity, head on over to our Family Resources page and have a go at making your own parachute!
KS2 - Battle Coordinates
The Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and the Royal Observer Corps are just two of the groups of people involved in the historic success of the Battle of Britain. Part of their success came from using maths and calculating coordinates. Learn more about their work with our new numeracy resource – Battle Coordinates! When you've completed the worksheets, why not listen to the stories of Katherine Du Plat-Taylor who served with the WAAF in the Ops Rooms during the Battle of Britain?
KS1 - Maths Through Time
From the beginning of the First World War, the RAF have evolved over time and as such, so has their equipment. The aircraft and uniform they use has been adapted to respond to the change in use. The numeracy questions below look at some of the differences between older and newer aircraft and equipment. Shape is really important when it comes to thinking about aircraft - can you answer our questions and compare the pictures?
Once you have completed the questions, why not listen to some RAF stories to explore further? You can learn all about the different types of uniform used - from boots to helmets and everything in between! Shape, size, design and style are all really important for uniform to make sure it is suitable for its job and to keep the wearer happy!
KS2 - Rationing
The rationing of essential items became a part of every day life during the Second World War. In order to ensure everyone got their fair share, there was often a little bit of maths involved! Learn all about rationing and answer our numeracy questions - don't forget to show your working out! When you've finished, why not listen to Eileen O'Sullivan talk about her experience of rationing during the Second World War? (Psst...the secret password is the answer to the first question!)
KS2 Rationing Activity and Answers
Finished the rationing activity? Why not check out our Second World War rationing recipes which you can create at home.
KS2 - Spitfire Maths
Read through this short story about the Supermarine Spitfire, written by children's author Tom Palmer, and then complete the mathematics comprehension activity. When you've completed the activity, why not listen to the story of Hazel Hill - the real Spitfire Mathematician?
The Letter - Short Story by Tom Palmer (pdf 328kb)
Spitfire Maths Activity (pdf 337kb)
Over time from the First World War, aircraft uniform and equipment has changed to respond to the change in use. The Maths questions below look at some of the differences between older and newer aircraft and equipment. Shape is really important, can you answer the questions on shape and compare the pictures.
Once you have completed the maths questions listen to the stories about changes to some uniform, shape, size, design and style are all really important for uniform to make sure it is suitable for its job and to keep the wearer happy!
Literacy
Looking for some literacy resources? Head over to the London page and explore literacy themes such as bravery, teamwork, innovation and much more!
Immersive Loan Boxes
Bring history to life in the classroom! From September 2024, teachers can borrow a FREE Immersive Loan Box from the Museum to support learning at school!
The Immersive Loan Boxes contain a selection of genuine and replica historical artefacts that will aid sensory exploration and discovery of an historical period. Support hands-on learning with the accompanying teacher pack, which contains resources, follow-on activities, and a detailed lesson plan, allowing you to get the most out of the loan box in the classroom!
Please choose an immersive loan box from the options below:
Second World War: Life on the Home Front
What was life really like on the Home Front in Britain? How did ordinary people contribute to the war effort? What did people eat in wartime? Discover it all with the 'Second World War: Life on the Home Front' Immersive Loan Box!
Try on an ARP Warden's uniform, or get ready to hit the countryside in your Land Girl clothes! Work out your rations for the week and practice wearing your gas mask! Read the paper and keep up with the top news of the day, or to listen to a speech from Prime Minister, Winston Churchill!
Please fill out our loan form here.
Please note:
The max loan period is 7 days.
The loan box must be collected from RAF Museum Midlands at the beginning of the loan period and returned to site before the end of the loan period.
Second World War: Battle of Britain
What was life like during the Battle of Britain? How did ordinary people contribute to the war effort? Who were 'The Few' and what did they do? Discover it all with the 'Second World War: Battle of Britain' Immersive Loan Box!
Dress like a Battle of Britain pilot, or get ready to work in the operations room in your WAAF uniform! Break the code and help Fighter Command decipher vital intelligence from the Luftwaffe! Read the paper and keep up with the top news of the day, or to listen to a speech from Prime Minister, Winston Churchill!
Please fill out our loan form here.
Please note:
The max loan period is 7 days.
The loan box must be collected from RAF Museum Midlands at the beginning of the loan period and returned to site before the end of the loan period.
Downloadable Resources for Museum Visits
A selection of resources are available to download for free which will support your visit to the Museum. These can be used as part of a pre/post visit session, or used during your visit.
Aircraft Fact Files
Need some interesting facts about our exhibits to fill the self-guided portion of your day?
Download our fact files to learn more!
Cold War Exhibition Trail
We have created a free downloadable trail for schools to explore the National Cold War Exhibition! It is aimed at Key Stage 3 & Key Stage 4 students.
D-Day Reconnaissance Challenge
D-Day Reconnaissance Challenge
The 6 June, 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which was the first day of the landings in Normandy. D-Day was a turning point in the Second World War and signaled the beginning of the Allied liberation of Western Europe.
Your mission - should you choose to accept it - is to complete the reconnaissance challenge below to help the Royal Air Force decipher important intelligence from France!
Hangar One Trail
We have created a free downloadable trail for schools to explore Hangar 1! It is aimed at Key Stage Two to Key Stage Four students.
Second World War Worksheets
Try downloading our free Second World War worksheets, designed to be used around the Test Flight and War in the Air hangars at RAF Museum Midlands!
Don your detective hats and crack the code with our Code Breaker Challenge:
Code Breaker Challenge Answers
Restore Sgt. Betty Jones' pilot logbook by filling in the redacted words with our Pilot Logbook Activity:
Pilot Logbook Activity Answers
The worksheets are still in their development stage, if you can take a few minutes to complete a feedback form about our worksheets it would be kindly appreciated.
To complete the feedback form click here.