A trip of a lifetime that’s out of this world! That is what Aspirations Academies Trusts delivers every year through their Space Education Adventure programme, in partnership with NASA.
inspiring the next generation of astronauts
The Space Education Adventure trips are designed to offer students the chance to develop their interpersonal skills and discover the realities of a career on the frontier of space exploration. During the trip, the selected students are able to travel to Houston, Texas and Merritt Island, Florida in the USA and enjoy exclusive tours of NASA facilities. They have the chance to speak to leading experts in the space industry and visit historical artefacts, as well as gaining a better understanding of new and upcoming programmes currently being worked on.
cultural capital
In addition to this, students have the opportunity to experience and immerse themselves in American culture. The trips include a private astrophysics lecture at Rice University in Houston, Texas and a tour of the campus. Students also get to visit a local elementary school, where they will work in teams with pupils from the school and lead a water rocket building activity.
The primary aim of these trips is for students to build on their personal development skills through undertaking a series of unique opportunities and experiences. The chosen students will complete a variety of activities, including taking part in space mission simulations under different key roles and giving presentations on “Life in the UK” to students in different American schools.
core principles
By competing these activities, students have the chance to develop their networking, presentation and leadership skills; as well as increase their confidence and self-worth, which are core principles of the Aspirations Academies Trust.
who can attend?
The trip is aimed at Year 12 students, who are ambitious, able to work well in a team and eager to put themselves forward and learn as much as possible. While the trip is mainly science-focused, any student can apply for the selection process, regardless of their interest in space or science (although this is desired).
Any teachers or schools interested in sending students on the Space Education Adventure trip can contact Max Howick, Digital Marketing Officer at Aspirations Academies Trust, through email at maxhowick@aspirationsacademies.org or by calling 020 7360 4403.