(Above) Battle of Britain pilots, part of the Duxford in the Battle of Britain Exhibition. Courtesy IWM Duxford
News: Museums are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 2010 and here's a round-up of their online resources and real-life offers for school visits.
Battle of Britain lesson plans from the Royal Air Force Museum
The Access and Learning Department of the Royal Air Force Museum has two free downloadable lesson packs for teachers of key stage 2 and key stage 3 pupils about the Battle of Britain in the run up to this year's 70th anniversary.
More RAF Museum online resources for you
The Learning section of the RAF Museum website has downloadable worksheets to support a visit to the Museum. During a visit to the Museum, pupils can complete a Battle of Britain Discovery sheet and there is a WWII Aircraft Battle of Britain teacher resource pdf.
Learn more about aircraft controls with a simple interactive from the Museum.
This month's podcast from the RAF Museum is Phases of the Battle of Britain.
Battle of Britain fighter pilot Douglas Bader is honoured in one of the RAF Museum's online exhibitions, Douglas Bader, Fighter, Pilot.
Get hands-on at the RAF Museums
Come along with your school group and enjoy the RAF Museum London's Aeronautics Interactive Centre. Pupils can explore the science of flight and how the properties of air, forces, light, electricity, materials and the human brain relate to flight with dozens of fun hands-on activities.
They will learn about how aircraft fly, attempt to drop a package from a large transport plane onto a small patch of ground; experience the weight-shift method of controlling a hang-glider; discover some secrets of helicopter flight and test their aptitude to be a top fighter pilot in real and simulated cockpits.
Click on the link for more information about education at the RAF Museum, London.
RAF Museum, Cosford has its own hands-on gallery called Fun 'n' Flight. Click on the link for more information about education at the RAF Museum, Cosford.
RAF - The Battle of Britain History
The Battle of Britain History Site has catalogued the official reports of events.
IWM (Imperial War Museum) resources
Tell your pupils and their families about the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain events at IWM Duxford with an exhibition, a chance to meet veterans, a chance to see WWII aircraft, a memorial flight and air show and more.
Discover how an aeroplane flies with the KS2 Science Flight WebQuest from the IWM.
See a Spitfire in glorious 360 degrees courtesy of the IWM online.
Find out more about learning at the Imperial War Museum Duxford and take a look at the resources on offer, including teachers' notes on educational sessions at the Museum.
IWM Battle of Britain-related educational sessions
The War in the Air 1914-1918 and 1939-1945
Using slides, students consider the rapid application of the newly invented flying machine to the needs of warfare and its development into reconnaissance, fighting scout and bomber aircraft.
Dates: Monday-Friday, by appointment
Session length: 60 minutes
Suitability: Key Stages 3-4
Party size: Maximum 36 students and 6 adults
Cost: £60 per session.
The Home Front 1939 - 1945
Using slides and artefacts, students examine themes such as preparations for war, shelters, the blackout, rationing and evacuation. They also view film clips, including extracts from 'If War Should Come', 'Rationing in Britain' and 'London Can Take It'.
Dates: Monday-Friday, by appointment
Session length: 60 minutesSuitability: Key Stages 3-4
Party size: Maximum 36 students and 6 adults
Cost: £60 per session.
The Battle of Britain
Duxford airfield played an important part in the Battle of Britain. Students examine slides and film from the era, and discuss the preparations for the Battle of Britain, including the key targets attacked.
Dates: Monday-Friday, by appointment
Session length: 60 minutes
Suitability: Key Stages 3-4
Party size: Maximum 36 students and 6 adults
Cost: £60 per session.
Discover Battle of Britain events, workshops and more on Culture24.
Channel 4's Blood Foreigners season
As part of their Bloody Foreigners season, Channel 4 have a new game on their website called Battle of Britain: 303 Squadron.
The Battle of Britain: 303 Squadron game links with the drama documentary The Untold Battle of Britain which tells the story of the 34 Polish fighter pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain as 303 Squadron and shot down 126 Luftwaffe aircraft.
As well as playing the game, your class will also enjoy making a WWII model paper aeroplane courtesy of fishinabottle, the design agency who created Battle of Britain: 303 Squadron
More on Show Me - our kids' site
You'll find more pupil-friendly World War Two features and games in the 20th Century Britain section on Show Me.
Keep up to speed with the latest news about the Battle of Britain 70th anniversary at www.culture24.org.uk/battle-of-britain.
