Science school trips to Houston
School trips to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston offer student STEM groups an unparalleled educational experience that we've no doubt will inspire them. The five-day Space Center University® programme includes engaging activities like coding, rocket design, and uncovering the habitat potential of Mars, alongside tours of Mission Control and astronaut training facilities.
During this once-in-a-lifetime trip, your students will have opportunities to interact with NASA engineers and astronauts, gaining direct insight into space travel. There'll also be daily workshops for students to partake in, culminating in a graduation ceremony – the highlight of the week – at the end of the course. Guaranteed to create lasting memories, this unique trip will ignite your students’ passion for STEM fields, as they come away with real-world applications of classroom topics.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Discover the world of space exploration with an inspiring STEM programme at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Designed for UK secondary school students, this immersive experience combines hands-on workshops, coding and engineering challenges with behind-the-scenes access to one of the world's most famous space facilities. Students will explore real-world applications of science, technology, engineering and maths, meet NASA professionals, and gain valuable insight into future STEM careers, all while developing teamwork, problem-solving and critical thinking skills beyond the classroom.
- Depart UK for Houston
- Arrive in Houston
- Transfer to hotel
- NASA Visit – Day 1/5
- Welcome talk, Tour of Rocket Park & NASA Vehicle Mock Up facility, and Rocket Overview
- Lunch at NASA
- NASA Programming, Rocket Construction, Thermal Tile & Cryogenics challenge
- Pizza night at hotel
- NASA Visit – Day 2/5
- Rocket launch, Tour of Mission Control Centre and Mars habitat proposals
- Lunch at NASA
- NASA Programming, Mars habitat challenge and presentations
- Dinner
- Bowling
- NASA Visit – Day 3/5
- Q&A session with a NASA engineer, Thermal Tile & Cryogenic testing
- Lunch at NASA
- Afternoon at NASA
- Evening meal at Kemah Boardwalk
- NASA Visit – Day 4/5
- Guided tour of the Starship Gallery, Vex Robotics, Coding Presentation
- Lunch at NASA
- Ves Robotics Coding & End Effector Challenge
- Evening meal at a Mexican restaurant
- NASA Visit – Day 5/5
- Independence Plaza & Falcon 9 Tour
- NASA Astronaut Q&A Session
- Graduation & Certificates
- Meet coach and transfer to airport
- Return flight to UK
- Arrive back in the UK
This NASA school trip to Houston provides GCSE and A Level students with a unique opportunity to explore space science, aerospace engineering, robotics and computer science at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Through the Space Center University® programme, students apply classroom learning in a real-world STEM environment while developing skills relevant to future careers in science, technology and engineering.
GCSE Science (Combined Science, Physics, Chemistry)
- Apply principles of forces, motion and energy through rocket design, launch activities and analysis of spaceflight systems.
- Develop understanding of the Earth and the universe, including space exploration, planetary environments and the challenges of sustaining life beyond Earth through Mars habitat projects.
- Investigate materials and their properties through thermal tile and cryogenics challenges, linking classroom learning to aerospace engineering applications.
- Strengthen practical and problem-solving skills by participating in team-based STEM activities and engineering challenges.
GCSE Computer Science
- Develop programming and computational thinking skills through coding workshops delivered as part of the Space Center University® programme.
- Apply coding to real-world challenges, helping students understand how software supports space missions, robotics and scientific research.
- Build collaboration and problem-solving abilities through hands-on STEM projects and robotics activities.
A Level Physics
- Explore advanced concepts in mechanics, forces and energy transfer through the study of rocket propulsion and spacecraft systems.
- Investigate space science and engineering applications, providing context for topics such as motion, materials and thermodynamics.
- Gain insight into how physicists apply scientific principles in industry and research through direct interaction with NASA engineers and technical specialists.
A Level Computer Science
- Experience practical applications of programming, automation and robotics through coding and engineering challenges.
- Understand how computing supports complex technological systems, including spacecraft operations and mission planning.
- Develop analytical, collaborative and project-management skills through team-based problem solving and design activities.
Engineering & STEM Enrichment (GCSE and A Level)
- Apply the engineering design process from concept development through testing and evaluation during rocket and robotics challenges.
- Explore STEM career pathways through Q&A sessions with NASA engineers and astronauts.
- Develop employability skills, including teamwork, communication, innovation and critical thinking in a real-world scientific environment
Features
Trip details
All Equity packages are tailor-made to suit the needs of our groups. Here are our standard package inclusions:
- Return travel by air (air packages include overseas airport transfer. Coach to UK airport from school is available as an optional extra)
- All security charges, airport and local taxes
- 1 free staff place for every 10 full paying passengers by air
- Half-board accommodation
- Excursions
- 24-hour emergency service support
- All travel documentation, luggage labels and resort information
- ESTAs / Visas. Electronic VISA Waivers (ESTAs) are compulsory for all British passport holders travelling to the USA. Travellers with non-British passports may require a full VISA for travel
- Meals en-route. While travelling to and from your destination you need to consider meals. These are not included in the package prices. Meals are provided on flights
- Tipping. Tipping is customary in North America and is not included in our packages.
- Air passenger duty. Any paying passengers over the age of 16 at time of travel will be charged a small tax fee.
Prices are subject to change based on intended dates of travel and final numbers, the Equity team are here to offer you advice and guidance from start to finish, ensuring your school trip runs smoothly and is a great success.
Travel by: Air
Nearest airport: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Best times to travel: Year round
