What Can Primary Schools Do at Brooklands Museum?

Themed tours - the children are invited to consider the evidence of the collections and draw conclusions about the history, science and technology of Brooklands. Our trained guides enlighten and enthuse pupils with stimulating accounts of 100 years at Brooklands, inspiring them to discover more about the extensive history of the site and the famous names associated with it. Themes include Transport, Local History, Britain since 1930, World War Two and Forces, although we are happy to adapt these to your specific topics of study.

Handling Sessions - pupils can observe, touch and compare museum artefacts, deciding on their functions and uses based on their evaluations. The “Talking Brooklands” session looks at the development of communication and includes morse code keys, WW2 throat microphones and other instruments and we also run World War Two Handling Sessions.

Key Stage 1 Activity Room - a half hour experience includes building planes and cars, dressing up to visit the motor racing in the 1920s and 30s, using old typewriters and riding our Penny Farthing.

Forces Show - half hour interactive show for Key Stages 1 & 2.

Discovery@Brooklands - our interactive science gallery, which includes exhibits on many Key Stage 1 and 2 science concepts.

Forces Zone Passport - this worksheet-based activity encourages children to focus on examples of friction, air resistance, lift and other forces around the site and to discover how forces have an impact on the world around us. The children collect stamps as they complete each section of the passport.

Below are some examples of what schools can expect during a typical group visit.

KEY STAGE 1 - “TRANSPORT VISIT ” (Can be adapted for Key Stage 2)

The history and science of motoring, aviation and cycling throughout the 20th Century is explored through our collections. We encourage our young visitors to build up a picture of how transport has developed and why.

Schedule

10.00 Arrive at Brooklands. Leave belongings in the Education Centre.
School divides into groups of approx. 15 children and they depart on a tour of the site with their adults and friendly guide. During the morning session, groups will have an opportunity to spend time in the Key Stage 1 Activity Room.
12.30 Groups meet back at the Education Centre for lunch.
13.00 Schools can experience Discovery@Brooklands, visit the shop and explore the rest of the site.
14.00 - 14.30 Schools leave Brooklands tired but happy!

KEY STAGE 2 - “FORCES VISIT”

A variety of activities have been developed to enable children to understand all types of forces in action.

Schedule

10.00 Arrive at Brooklands. Leave belongings in the Education Centre.
School divides into groups of approx. 15 and they depart on a tour, which emphasises forces at work in the Museum collections.
11.30 Forces Zone Passport
12.30 Groups meet back at the Education Centre for lunch
13.00 Groups take part in the interactive Forces Show, visit Discovery@Brooklands and finish the Forces Zone Passport
14.00 - 14.30 Schools leave Brooklands.

THE RAY GIFFORD AWARD
This is a competition for Primary Schools who use the Museum as an inspiration for a piece of innovative class work.  The winning school holds the Ray Gifford Trophy for a year and receives free entry to the Museum for a class of up to 30 children.  There are also two runners-up prizes of £45 to spend on Museum entry or in the Museum Shop.

The award is in memory of Ray Gifford and sponsored by the Brooklands Trust Members.  Ray had a long association with both motoring and aviation, the latter as a pilot and instructor.  He is remembered for his many years of involvement at Brooklands as a Volunteer Tour Guide.  The picture shows the current holders of the award: Lee-on-the-Solent Junior School. 

Download further details about the Ray Gifford Award (PDF).

The closing date for the current school year’s competition is the 15th July 2010.  Further details and information about how to enter may be obtained from Virginia Price on 01932 857381 ext 248 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).