Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) is everywhere and shapes our everyday experiences, meaning STEM education is vital and we need to encourage students to understand and embrace these core subjects. Bringing together learning and fun is the perfect recipe for a hugely successful tour.
The students will spend six days at the Advanced Space Academy in Huntsville, the original and only Space camp in the world. This amazing almost weeklong experience will challenge the students in teamwork, leadership and decision making and motivate them in science, technology, math and engineering (STEM). The camp provides an inspiring opportunity for hands-on training in a unique setting outside the classroom for students interested in STEM subjects. Students will meet astronauts and legendary historical figures in space exploration during their time at the Camp.
Destination: Seattle, San Francisco & Huntsville Space Camp
Tour Highlights:
Included:
Terms & Conditions:
Please be advised that this is an ‘example’ of a schedule and that the activities may be variable dependent upon dates, weather, special requests and other factors. Itineraries will be confirmed prior to travel. Space camp starts on Sundays only.
Day 1 – Arrive in Seattle
Panoramic Tour of Seattle – Seattle, a city on Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, is surrounded by water, mountains and evergreen forests, and contains thousands of acres of parkland. Washington State’s largest city, it’s home to a large tech industry, with Microsoft and Amazon headquartered in its metropolitan area.
Overnight in Seattle
Day 2
Morning – Educational Tour and workshop at Boeing. The Boeing Tour allows the students a chance to explore the Everett factory, looking at the remarkable tools and technology Boeing uses through the lens of career exploration. This tour includes the 747, 777 and 787 observation areas, as well as career insights from Boeing staff and a special presentation for students.
The students can choose one of the following workshops:
Drone Zone – This program allows your group to explore this fast-growing technology segment, experimenting with four drone-themed stations. As they rotate through the program, students will have a chance to try a quiz game, do some practice flying (including precision landings) and exploring with a camera-equipped rover, all while documenting the experience with the drones’ cameras and other tools. For a higher-level experience, this program can be modified to include programming and other custom components, according to your educational goals.
Or
3D Printing Workshop – This Makerspace workshop gives your group a crash course in drawing objects in 3D software and operating our 3D printers. The skills learned are universal to most 3D printers, including those typically found in schools and homes. The lesson is designed for novices to start with zero previous knowledge, but experienced groups will be able to advance to more complicated objects. Each participant will see the workflow used by engineers creating prototypes with 3D printing, and have the opportunity to walk away with a 3D printed object of their own design.
In the afternoon visit Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This is a private foundation founded by Bill and Melinda Gates. It was launched in 2000, and is said to be the largest private foundation in the United States. The primary aims of the foundation are, globally, to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, and, in the US, to expand educational opportunities and access to information technology.
Overnight in Seattle
Day 3
Visit Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) – LIGO is the world’s largest gravitational wave observatory and a cutting edge physics experiment. Comprised of two enormous laser interferometers located thousands of kilometres apart, LIGO exploits the physical properties of light and of space itself to detect and understand the origins of gravitational waves. LIGO searches for black holes, neutron stars, supernovae, and more exotic phenomena. Students will meet and interact with scientists and engineers and participate in a workshop.
Overnight Seattle
Day 4 – Fly to San Francisco
Today you will visit Silicon Valley. The region is home to many of the world’s largest technology companies including Apple, Cisco, Google, HP, Intel and Oracle.
Since the early twentieth century, Silicon Valley has been home to a vibrant, growing electronics industry. The industry began through experimentation and innovation in the fields of radio, television, and military electronics. Stanford University, its affiliates, and graduates have played a major role in the development of this area.
Depending on the availability, there is an option to visit one or more places:
Overnight in San Francisco
Day 5
Morning – Visit and a workshop at Autodesk Gallery – Autodesk is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. See how design shapes the world, from the buildings we live and work in, to the machines that propel us forward, to the products that enrich our everyday experiences.
Afternoon – Visit Exploratorium – A day at the Exploratorium is a field trip like no other. Students can play, try new things, get their whole bodies involved, and see what happens when, all in the name of deep learning about science, art, and human perception.
Overnight in san Francisco
Day 6 (Sunday) – Fly to Nashville
Arrive at U.S Space and Rocket Centre for your orientation.
Overnight at Space Camp
Day 7 – 10
Today you will start your Advance Space Academy Program. Suit up for a mission to the International Space Station or train for a landing on the moon! Space Camp is the ultimate educational experience that illuminates real-world applications of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
During the program the students work as a team and confront mission scenarios that require dynamic problem solving and critical thinking — 21st century learning skills required in the workplace.
Activities included:
Overnight at Space Camp
Day 11
Day 6 and final day of Space Camp program. Graduation!
Depart from Nashville to fly home
Day 12
In transit
Day 13
Arrive home
