Citation
(2009), "Backing for Aviation Centenary Programme in West of England", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 81 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2009.12781aab.024
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Backing for Aviation Centenary Programme in West of England
Article Type: News and views From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 81, Issue 1
BAC 100, the programme that will mark the centenary of the founding of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, recently made a significant breakthrough with awards for two of its key projects: the compilation of an oral history of aviation workers, supported by awards for All, and a series of creative workshops in schools, funded by Science City Bristol. Both projects will contribute to the development of the year-long BAC 100 programme which will be delivered in 2010.
Filton Community History will use their grant from awards for All to carry out and transcribe interviews with people who have worked in the aviation factories at Filton and other company sites. These will be made available through the BAC 100 publications, web site, exhibitions and education work, and form a permanent archive for posterity.
In addition to the support of awards for all, South Gloucestershire Council has provided funds for the purchasing of new digital recorders. Filton Community History will shortly be recruiting a part-time worker to manage the project.
Education will be at the heart of the BAC 100 programme. The Science City Bristol award will be used to run a pilot project in six primary schools as a test-bed for the type of workshops and resources that could be offered in 2010. The core activity of this project will be the delivery of a series of creative workshops led by poet Claire Williamson and science-educator Luke Jerram exploring how dreams and the imagination provide the starting point from which scientific and engineering innovations can grow.
Sarah-Jane Chilcott, Programme Manager for Science City Bristol said today: We are pleased to be able to support this project which develops many of the qualities that we see in our Science City: combining a history of science and engineering with the modern technology and innovation of the Bristol area, it brings together art, science and business in a way which will help to inspire our scientists and engineers of the future.
Claire and Luke will be supported by graduate trainees from Airbus and Rolls-Royce who will act as role-models for the young participants, encouraging them to raise their aspirations and broaden their horizons. The workshops will take place during the 2009 spring term and the participating schools will be given activity packs to carry out preliminary research into the region’s aviation industry during the autumn.