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Drone flight program - build fly learn

Programs Offered

Maximum 20 students
Duration: Up to 4 hours with breaks
Cost: $14 per student

Description: The Drone Flight program aligns the strands of STEM Skills and Connections and Structures and Mechanisms of the Ontario Science Curriculum 2022.

The Drone Flight program builds an aviation foundation and critical-thinking skill set to adapt to evolving innovations and challenges in drones. Within our aircraft hangar setting, students are given a kit for designing, building, and flying their own drone! Students work through activities to design and test their drone, carry a payload, and design and implement a delivery system, with each activity tying back to a specific career connection. Depending on the time you have available, you can compare different drone system configurations to see how well each solution meets the parameters of a set problem.

This kit brings the ultimate level of engagement while also teaching the basics of engineering and aviation through drone flight. Come build, fly, and learn with us!

NOTE All drone kits will be provided for the program. Please do not bring your own drones.
Maximum 120 students per visit.
Duration: 2 hours with breaks.
Cost: $11 per student

Description: A unique play-based learning program to introduce young learners to the thrill of aviation, transportation, and much more.
  • Hands-on activities building, flying, and learning.
  • Numbers and measurement.
  • Simple machines.
  • Shapes and patterns sorting.
  • Board and explore our DHC-5 Buffalo aircraft.
  • Full school visit interactive demonstration of lift and flight.
  • Tour of hangar displays and aircraft.
  • Enjoy your packed lunch beneath our aircraft collection.
Maximum 160 students per visit
Duration: Up to 4 hours with breaks.
Cost: $14 per student

Description: Students will explore the properties of air and the theory of flight by:
  • Identifying flight-related applications of the properties of air.
  • Learn the four forces of flight: thrust, lift, drag and weight (gravity), which make flight possible.
  • Hands-on activities to explore how air has mass and exerts a force.
  • Learn Bernoulli’s Principle and the importance of an airfoil shape.
  • Learn the parts of airplanes: fuselage, wing, empennage (tail), ailerons, flaps, elevator, and rudder.
  • Build a glider to examine the ways in which aircraft can control their direction in flight: roll, pitch, and yaw.
  • Attend and participate in a live-demonstration of the scientific concepts of air with a special guest “volunteer.”
  • Tour our hangar to explore different forms and functions of aircraft and identify their design characteristics.
Maximum 50 students
Duration: Up to 4 hours with breaks.
Cost: $14 per student

Description: Students will examine how the forces of compression, tension, torsion, and shear act not only on bridges but aircraft too.
  • Investigate and compare the various materials used to construct aircraft and other structures.
  • Learn the forces of compression and tension and how strength and stability relate to structures with various forms and functions.
  • Hands-on activities to explore how form is important for function of various structures, from bridges to aircraft.
NOTE Grade specific terminology and concepts will be delivered for Grade 3 and Grade 7 Structures and Mechanisms.
Maximum 90 students per visit
Duration: Up to 4 hours with breaks.
Cost: $14 per student

Description: Students will participate in hands-on activities and learn of the experiences of people during the Second World War. All activities include hands-on activities where students will have to collaborate and use their critical problem-solving skills.
  • Enlistment: Students will select job tags which Canadians in wartime had to do. Student volunteers will be invited to wear a Second World War fighter pilot’s uniform, and a Factory Worker’s uniform.
  • Battle of Britain Simulation: Using input from radar stations and the Royal Observer Corps, students will plot incoming aircraft raids on an 8' x 8’ map of the S.E. coast of England during the summer/fall of 1940. Student’s critical thinking and collaborative skills will be tested as they determine how to best allocate limited resources to meet a numerically superior invading force.
  • Metal Work: A hands-on activity which demonstrates the factory work many women contributed to the war effort through aircraft manufacturing. Students will be taught how to fasten sheet metal to an aircraft frame using temporary fasteners called Clecos.
  • Codes and Ciphers: Students will be taught the methods of sending messages using Morse Code. Encryption methods are also explored to explain how information was shared in secret and safe ways during wartime.
  • Evacuation: A simulation of what life could be like for youth during the Second World War. Students will be asked to decide what items they would take with them for an unknown duration of time.
  • Rationing: A presentation on the food restrictions and shortages that citizens, including children, faced during wartime. Students will learn how determined people used science and their inventiveness to lead a healthy life despite food shortages.
NOTE During public hours of operation, gallery space might be shared with the public. This option is recommended for Monday and Tuesday visits when the museum is closed to the public. Museum hangar guided tour available upon request.

Maximum 40 students
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: $14 per student

Description: Making Freedom Fly tells inspiring stories from the Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian home front during the Second World War. Using the museum’s archival collection, technology combines with the past to bring historic moments alive. The common thread that weaves throughout the exhibition is Canadians’ efforts and determination to preserve democracy.
  • Immersive Dome: Travel back in time to observe Canadians in their roles at home and overseas. A dynamic presentation with original sound, using the museum’s collection of digitized and colourized historical films.
  • Interactive Avatars: Life-sized avatars of real Canadians share their stories in this interactive storytelling journey. Each avatar is based on their personal recollections from within the museum’s archive, along with a selection of virtual artifacts.
  • HD Interactive Cinema: Create and view a personalized playlist of vintage Canadian military films from the museum’s collection.
  • Augmented Reality: Take a tour around and inside the iconic Avro Lancaster. Explore some of the engineering and technology of the aircraft and take a selfie to put yourself in a wartime role.

Planning Your Visit

Book online using our online form. Alternatively, book at 905-679-4183 ext. 222 or edserv@warplane.com.
Booking requests are not confirmed until you receive a Confirmation email. Any changes in participant number must be confirmed with the Education & Public Programs department no later than 5 business days prior to your visit. Cancellations after that date will be charged a cancellation fee equivalent to the minimum charge of the program.
Payment in full for your visit is expected upon arrival. We accept payment by Visa, Mastercard, Interac, cash or cheque made payable to Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. Alternatively, payment can be made over the phone by credit card. E-Transfer is also available upon request. Late payments will be subject to a $20.00 + HST administration fee.
Time may be allocated for a short visit to the Gift Shop. Please check hours of operation prior to your visit.
Supervisors are required to always remain with their students. Please ensure that your students and supervisors be made aware that the following conduct is not acceptable:
  • Running inside of the building
  • Loud, profane and inappropriate language
  • Sexual harassment
  • Racial and ethnic discrimination
  • Disrespectful or physically aggressive behaviour
  • Conduct which is harmful to the exhibits and displays or disruptive to other visitors
  • Food and drink outside of designated areas
  • Possession of Illegal drugs/substances, firearms, knives or weapons of any kind are not permitted on the property. Any violation will result in immediate removal from the museum without refund.

Prices

Prices Per Student Per Supervisor Minimum Charge
Kindergarten to Grade 2 (Thunderbirds) $11. FREE $165.
Grade 3 (Ribs’n’ Wings) $14. FREE $210.
Grade 6 (Flight) $14. FREE $210.
Grade 7 (Frames and Forces) $14. FREE $210.
Grade 10 (A Wartime Experience) $14. FREE $210.
Drone Flight $14. FREE $210.
School Bus Parking * Driver FREE

Notes:

  • School staff supervisors are free to a maximum ratio of 1:10 (supervisors to students). The ratio is 1:15 for Grade 10. Additional adults will need to purchase their own admission at the general admission rate. A student support person(s) accompanying students are free.
  • Programs, prices and policies are subject to change without notice. No additional coupons, promotions, passes or membership discounts apply.

 Book School Trip

For further information, contact Christine Stevenson, Education & Public Programs Assistant Manager, at 905-679-4183 ext. 222 or edserv@warplane.com.

© Canadian Warplane Heritage 2025

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