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Evolution and ... Revolution! is a series of detailed STEM investigations for secondary-school pupils, inspired by the aircraft and vehicles at the Shuttleworth Aviation Museum in Old Warden, Bedfordshire.

Each investigation looks at a historical topic from a modern perspective.

We cover

• The History,  Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics of the topic

and include

• Activities for the student, both hands-on and Computer-based.

Please note that this material is under development by the Discovery Team at Shuttleworth.

Therefore, at this stage, it is not supported or endorsed by the Shuttleworth Trust.

If you (or your school) would like to be involved in the development and testing of the material, please contact the Discovery Team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

1 - Sir George Cayley

the "Father of Aeronautics"

George's scientific approach

2 - Otto Lilienthal

"Birdflight as the basis of Aviation"

Otto's mathematical approach

3 - Control Surfaces

Mastering the flight envelope

4 - Rotary Engines

Odd but fascinating WWI powerplants

5 - Air Race Handicapping

Formulas, mostly getting the wrong answers

6 - Undercarriage Design

Why did this undercarriage keep collapsing?

7 - Wing Flutter

What causes wings to vibrate alarmingly? 

8 - The R101

and other lighter-than-air disasters 

9 - Radial Engines

Sturdy workhorses

10 - Magnificent Merlins

Powering the Spitfire, Hurricane and evolving

11 - The DH Goblin

A truly revolutionary aero engine

12 - Aviation Medicine

Weird things can happen to people in aeroplanes