Whanganui Collegiate USA STEM Tour 2021

TOUR OVERVIEW

USA

STEM

4-18 april 2021

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 subject areas.

Combining learning and fun is the perfect recipe for a hugely successful tour. Students will engage with all aspects of STEM in a 6-Day intensive Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Combined with time at the home of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, a visit to Universal Studios and time to visit your partner RS school, students will benefit enormously from the fun, engaging and varied environment throughout this tour.

This is a once in a lifetime experience for the students of Whanganui Collegiate. They will be exposed to a whole new realm of learning which could, in turn, develop into an exciting and prosperous STEM based career, as well as creating those lifelong memories!

Trip Itinerary

DAY ONE

Fly from Wellington to Huntsville USA (exact flight schedule TBC), transfer to your hotel for the evening and catch up on some rest before starting Space Camp tomorrow.

DAY TWO

Enjoy some free time in the morning before checking in to Space Camp and receiving an orientation of the US Space & Rocket Centre that will be your home for the next 5 days.

DAY THREE

A typical day at Space Camp will include a range of activities, from team building and leadership, through to astronaut training simulators and rocket construction.

DAY FOUR

Briefings on the past, present and future of space exploration are conducted amid space artifacts, to show students real-world applications of STEM.

DAY FIVE

Train on astronaut simulators including Multi-Axis Trainer, the five degrees of freedom chair and the 1/6 gravity chair.

DAY SIX

Experience movies in SpaceDome IMAX or in the National Geographic Theatre. Discover the thrill of simulated space missions and as you are enrolled in Advanced Space Academy, trainees can experience a scuba based microgravity orientation in the underwater astronaut trainer!

DAY SEVEN

Celebrate your achievements during the graduation ceremony in your official Space Camp flight suit! This afternoon, hop on an afternoon flight to the Sunshine State - Florida and be met at the airport by your Haka Educational Tour Guide.

DAY EIGHT

There’s no better way to start your time in Orlando than a day at Universal Orlando Resort, which is an entire universe of action, thrills and excitement! You have access to one of the parks today - Universal’s Island of Adventure. Your day here will include a STEM Educational Workshop - Classroom in Motion (schedule dependent).

DAY NINE

Today you are off to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for an action packed space adventure. Your amazing day includes Space Shuttle Atlantis, Rocket Garden, Lunch with an Astronaut, IMAX Theatre experience, NASA Bus Tour and more!

DAY TEN

This morning we head to I-Fly Orlando for a STEM Education Workshop to include a 1 minute flight! This afternoon, we return to Universal Orlando Resort today to visit the second theme park - Universal Studios.

DAY ELEVEN

Today we depart Orlando and fly to Miami or Fort Lauderdale. We’ll have free time this afternoon to explore the local sights.

DAY TWELVE

Today is a full free day to spend with a partner RS School.

DAY THIRTEEN

This morning you will have some free time to do a spot of last minute shopping before departing for your flight back to New Zealand (free time may be dependent on flight schedule).

DAY FOURTEEN

Travel time - Cross International Dateline.

DAY FIFTEEN

Arrive back in Wellington today as your USA tour comes to an end, but rest assured the adventures, memories and friendships will last a lifetime!

INCLUSIONS

Flights and transfers

All accommodation

Daily breakfast

Expert Haka tour guide in Orlando

Activities as per itinerary

LEARNING

Become immersed in STEM education, while focusing on further studies and career preparations
Learn about mental and physical demands for astronauts, engineers, technologists and microgravity
Develop teamwork, leadership & decision-making skills
Learn what it's like to live onboard the the International Space Station

Tour starts in...

Day

Hour

Minute

Second

Enquire now

Do you have any questions about this trip or would you like to register interest for your child? Please contact the lead teacher for the tour at Whanganui Collegiate, Mr John Dalman using the form here.