Wargaming to build UK education centre

MMO maker Wargaming is to sponsor Britain’s Royal Air Force Museum and plans to build an education centre that will offer attendees the opportunity to learn STEM subjects.

The education centre will be built in Cosford, and aims to provide the museum’s Access and Learning department with an important resource to engage with schools and teachers in the Midlands and surrounding areas.

Wargaming said the centre will allow the museum to develop new education offerings focusing on the STEM subjects as well as creating a space where community groups and adult education partners can take part in its exhibits.

“Wargaming is passionate about military history, so we jumped at the opportunity to help be part of a truly historic endeavor,” said Wargaming CEO Victor Kislyi.

“The story behind the Dornier 17 is truly unique and we’re looking forward to helping share that tale at the new Education Centre at Cosford.”

The World of tanks creator will be funding an exhibition at the RAF Museum, which explores the background of its Dornier 17 recovery project, taking place in both London and Cosford.

As part of a £75,000 grant, the museum will develop new approaches to the display and interpretation its Dornier exhibition, such as augmented reality version of the Dornier flying above the Museum, giving museum visitors a glimpse of the aircraft as it would have been seen in 1940.

Visitors will also be able to view this through their smartphones and through specially created viewing equipment at the Museum. The science behind the recovery and conservation of the Dornier will be explored through a specially created mobile app.

Peter Dye, director general of Royal Air Force Museum, added: “I am delighted that Wargaming are supporting the Museum’s Dornier project by funding our exciting plans to tell the story of the recovery and conservation of the Dornier 17. This is innovative project and the support of Wargaming will allow us to tell that story in an innovative way. Augmented reality, mobile applications and the use of user generated content are new developments for the Museum and we are excited about exploring their possibilities.”

The Dornier aircraft is the only known example of its kind in the world and was spotted by divers in 2008.

The RAF Museum isn’t the first museum to look to gaming to revitalise its chances of reaching new audiences. Last year, Nintendo partnered with the Louvre Museum in Paris to bring audio-guided tours to its exhibits using its 3DS handheld.