Offer your students an exciting and immersive STEAM tour in New Zealand! Start the trip with an exclusive
5-day Mission to Space STEAM Camp, offered by the International Antarctic Centre. Led by NASA-trained educators, the camp provides a unique opportunity to bring STEAM learning to life. Based in NZ’s developing space hub Christchurch, the camp will include educational workshops and team challenges, such as Nano Rover construction and experiential Astronaut training. Students will learn about robotics, aerospace and the environment, inspiring continued STEAM learning pathways and the development of critical future focused skills.
After camp, you embark on an Earth & Space Science Tour of the South Island. In Christchurch, students will learn about the human and design impact of the earthquakes, and look into the recovery effort. The tour then heads to New Zealand’s incredible Dark Sky Reserve, where students will learn about the solar system from Tekapo’s Mt John and Mt Cook. The final section of the tour visits Queenstown where they will take part in a STEM lab at iFLY. Educational tours and talks will cover astronomy and earth science, while exploring the stunning scenery.
Destination: New Zealand
Tour Highlights:
Included:
Terms & Conditions:
Day 1
On arrival in Christchurch this morning, transfer to your accommodation, where students will stay in “space” pods! Take a walk to the International Antarctic Centre where you will receive individual space suits, with an opportunity for photos prior to an orientation and an immersive 4D movie.
After morning tea, students will spend some time with a Husky Handler and their intelligent dogs, learning about huskies and their environment, as well as the connection of dogs and space travel.
After lunch, students will research and design a lunar base, learning about the lunar environment as well as materials and conditions essential for survival. Pack up and debrief, after an afternoon tea, and plan for the exciting day ahead.
Day 2
Start the day with a Q&A session with an Astronaut, before buckling up for a unique, adrenaline-filled outdoor adventure aboard a Hägglund – Antarctic
Vehicle, built to conquer the rough terrain on the ice! Enjoy morning tea.
Students will take part in an experiential Astronaut training and design a parachute to simulate a mars landing, learning all about the space travel.
After lunch, visit the Storm Dome, for an up-close experience of an Antarctic storm and temperatures of -8 to -18 degrees Celsius. Warm up with an afternoon tea and prepare for another day of adventures.
Meals: Continental Breakfast, Lunch & Restaurant Dinner
Day 3
The day begins with an intro to Robotics and a demo, followed by an opportunity for the students to design and construct a Nano Rover, built to explore the surface of asteroids and take photos.
Enjoy morning tea and then discover the penguin habitat and penguin welfare centre during a feeding session, followed by a 4D movie. After lunch, students will receive a talk from a Dawn Aerospace Guest speaker and take part in a Bee Bot Challenge or Rocket Challenge, or possibly a Dawn Aerospace visit. Explore one of the IAC galleries and there will be time for learning and worksheet completion before an afternoon tea to end the day.
Meals: Continental Breakfast, Lunch & Restaurant Dinner
Day 4
Following an induction and role allocation, students will take part in a tailored workshop, to further develop their STEAM knowledge and skills essential for all astronauts in space. After morning tea, students will have either a Rocket or Robotics design workshop, developing their teamwork as they learn new skills. Final afternoon tea ahead of last day of Space Camp.
Meals: Continental Breakfast, Lunch & Restaurant Dinner
Day 5
Following an introduction to Telescopes, students will use SA Telescopes to detect an object, before building 3D models to take home – this could be a telescope, an astronaut, or a lunar lander! Later in the morning, the group will take part in a graduation and have a final lunch with a local astronomy expert.
This afternoon, head out on the bus tour of Christchurch and see how the city has responded to the earthquakes before a group dinner.
Meals: Continental Breakfast, Lunch & Restaurant Dinner
Day 6
Visit Quake City for an educational workshop before travelling to beautiful Tekapo. Head up Mt John for stunning views and enjoy the Dark Sky Experience.
Meals: Continental Breakfast, Lunch & Restaurant Dinner
Day 7
Travel to Mt Cook where you will visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, explore the planetarium and watch an educational 3D movie experience. Later this evening you will have a guided outdoor stargazing experience!
Meals: Continental Breakfast, Lunch & Restaurant Dinner
Day 8
Take a morning hike (self-guided) and enjoy the incredible scenery of Mt Cook!
Transfer to Queenstown, making scenic stops en route, including Gibbston, K-Bridge and Arrowtown.
Meals: Continental Breakfast, Lunch & Restaurant Dinner
Day 9
This morning you will attend a STEM programme at iFLY, which will include a lecture, demonstration and a discussion with educators, covering topics such as aerodynamic differences between solids and fluids and terminal velocity.
Students will also have two individual flight experiences in the iFLY tunnel! Later today, take the Skyline Gondola for epic views over Queenstown and enjoy 3 thrilling Luge rides.
Meals: Continental Breakfast, Lunch & Restaurant Dinner
Day 10
Transfer to the Queenstown airport for your international flights home.
Meals: Continental Breakfast
