Education Update

This year we’ve been working hard to carry out our education work and the mission of the charity to show XH558 to as many young people as possible to inspire them with the sight of this masterpiece of British engineering.

Below is a link to an Education Brochure detailing the Vulcan XH558 Education Programme and the number of schools and students that have been impacted by the work of the Trust and our education partner, The Work-wise Foundation.

In addition to what we’ve already achieved you can read below about our education activities for 2024. Primary and secondary school pupils will have the opportunity to take part in ‘Dr Pleming’s Operation Vulcan Design Project’, named in honour of Dr Robert Pleming, who was responsible for returning the iconic aircraft to flight. They can also join the ‘Get in the Spirit’ competition, named after the aircraft which was dubbed the Spirit of Great Britain.

Your support is helping towards keeping XH558’s story alive for future generations.

Primary and Secondary schools: Dr Pleming’s Operation Vulcan Design Project

For Primary schools:

We would like students from Year 5 or 6 to create sustainable models of Vulcan XH558 to be displayed as part of an Operation Vulcan Squadron at Get up to Speed with STEM on 20 March 2024.

These models can be created individually or as a team. All entries will be judged by visiting VIPs on the day, and the winners will be announced after the event. The winning team and their class will be invited for a trip to see Vulcan XH558 close up, explore the aircraft and meet some of the people involved in maintaining it and learn more about its story.

For Secondary schools:

Ever wondered how an ejector seat works? Well, now is your chance to find out! We would like students from Years 8, 9 or 10 to get to grips with the science and engineering behind this. They should then design and build a scale model of their own ejector seat, to be explained and demonstrated to our expert panel of judges.

Students should base their ideas on the Vulcan’s own ejector seats and devise a mechanism that allows it to operate in a safe, environmentally friendly and secure manner. Students will be given the opportunity to learn about and see an ejector seat from Vulcan XH558 at the launch day.

Primary and Secondary schools: Get in the Spirit!

For Primary schools:

Create a Vulcan Superhero!

We’d love you to create a Vulcan inspired Superhero character (but they can’t be called Vulcan as Marvel Comics got there first!). Come up with a name for your Superhero and think about their superpowers linked to Vulcan Technology, and what great things they can do to help save the future of the planet.

For Secondary schools:

Create a Graphic Story/Short Film

We’d love you to create a graphic story (using our storyboard, or draw your own!) or a short film that tells the story of Vulcan XH558 and its contribution to British engineering from its initial design through to the modern day and explore what its future could be.