Thales UK and Spitfire AA810 STEM Collaboration

New STEM Partnership to offer young people across the UK a fascinating insight into the world of Aerospace.

Thales and the Spitfire AA810 project are delighted to announce a new partnership together in STEM provision, strengthening Thales’ existing Schools Education and Outreach programme. With both parties currently delivering motivational and inspirational material to the UK educational system, the opportunity to partner on common elements of this was a natural progression on from their existing relationship.

“The restoration to flight of Spitfire AA810 has hugely benefitted over the last few years from the support of Thales and in particular the apprentices at their Glasgow site who have been working on the restoration of our wartime reconnaissance cameras since 2022” said AA810 Project Director Tony Hoskins. “Bringing our successful school outreach programme, which already highlights so much of Thales’ work from the 1940’s to the present day, together with Thales’ existing Educational Outreach programme is a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn more about the great career potential for them at Thales.”

Thales and Spitfire AA810 will work together initially to inspire and inform RAF and CCF Cadets as part of the National Air & Space camp being held at RAF Syerston, Nottinghamshire this August. Aimed at the over 46,000 Air and CCF Cadets currently active in the UK, Industry Day as part of a week of activities and learning will give practical insights into the aviation, aerospace, and engineering industries. With over 1000 Cadets between the ages of 12 and 19 expected to attend, the day gives a unique opportunity to engage with the next generation of the aviation industry, giving specialist insight into future career paths and apprenticeship options.

Steve Murray, Thales VP, Strategy and Marketing UK said “Thales is absolutely delighted to be working with the Spitfire AA810 project on STEM Collaboration – joining together to fire the imagination of Air and CCF Cadets at the National Air & Space Camp, and to bring that same level of creativity into schools this year with new educational content.”

From the autumn of 2024 onwards, this collaboration will develop further to enhance Thales’ existing in-school presentation programme, with Spitfire AA810 offering up-to-date KS2-KS4 curricular content for use by Thales across their school network.