Residency opportunity for UK teachers

The American Air Museum Summer Residency, supported by global defence and aerospace company Northrop Grumman, is a unique professional development opportunity run by IWM Duxford. It brings together teachers from the UK and the USA for two weeks to develop together a greater knowledge of Second World War history through primary evidence and science and technology.

The organisers are now looking for UK teachers to take part in the 2015 American Air Museum Summer Residency. To be eligible, would-be participants should be either secondary school history teachers with responsibility for delivering Second World War history or STEM teachers delivering aviation studies, design and technology or other related subjects. The residency will run from Thursday 30 July to Thursday 13 August 2015.

Participants will take part in exclusive tours and special lectures at IWM Duxford and will visit sites of national historic significance, including Churchill War Rooms, IWM London, Bletchley Park, Chislehurst Caves, Dover Castle, the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, HMS Belfast and the Tower Museum at Bassingbourn.

Working with museum professionals and wartime veterans will enable the residents to deepen their understanding of the Second World War, especially the war in the air and the importance of technology. They’ll discover how technological advances are driven by necessity in war and conflict and will gain a contemporary focus with a visit to the Northrop Grumman facility at RAF Waddington.

Previous resident Mark David from Shropshire says: “More than anything, it was the opportunity to work with other teachers from a wide variety of backgrounds that really had the most profound effect on my preconceptions and also will have on my teaching practice.”

Sam Emerson of Norfolk adds: “I found the combination of historic sites, museums and modern air bases really fascinating. I felt this was an effective way to consider both the wartime role and continuing impact of the American Air Force in Britain. I know it challenged many of my own preconceptions and it certainly triggered some lively discussion amongst those participating in the course.”  

Participation in the American Air Museum Summer Residency programme is subsidised. The majority of expenses, including accommodation, meals, transport to IWM Duxford, field trips and educational resources, are free of charge. In return, those taking part will need to commit to carrying out a project with students at their school. They will also be asked to submit a report reflecting on their experience of the programme.

To apply, interested parties should submit a CV, a short statement (no more than one page) outlining their interest in taking part, and a letter of support from their head of department, indicating that they have the support of their school to participate in the American Air Museum Summer Residency and to carry out follow-up, internet-based project activities in school.

The closing date for applications is Monday 5 January 2015.

www.americanairmuseum.com