On 14 September, 24 students from Year 9 and Year 10 embarked on an exciting STEM with NASA trip to Orlando, Florida.
Our adventure began with a visit to NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre, where we enjoyed a bus tour, experienced the shuttle launch simulator, and explored the Atlantis Shuttle exhibition. We later met astronaut Guy Gardner and had the opportunity to participate in the Astronaut Training Experience. During this session, we worked together to solve real-world problems using authentic NASA science, including docking skills and navigating Mars terrain.
We spent several days at Universal Studios, engaging in educational programs about ride construction and special effects. These sessions allowed us to learn about the park’s production processes and get behind-the-scenes access to attractions like the 'Transformers Roll Out' and 'Rip Ride Rockit' rollercoaster. We had plenty of time to explore the different parks and experience thrilling rides, including the 'Revenge of the Mummy' and the 'Hulk' coaster.
At Full Sail University, we participated in a game development workshop, creating our own games and learning about the various features and techniques involved in game assembly. We also managed to squeeze in some outlet shopping, where we found souvenirs and gifts to take home. Most evenings, we enjoyed delicious dinners together, sharing laughs and stories from our daily adventures.
Our trip continued with two magical days at Disney World! On the first day, we visited Disney’s Magic Kingdom, where we enjoyed fun rides like 'Tron' and participated in an educational program to design our own theme park. We ended the evening by watching the fireworks at Cinderella’s Castle. At Disney Hollywood Studios, we took part in another educational session, investigating how magnets can create, speed up, and slow down rides like the 'Tower of Terror' and 'Aerosmith’s Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.' We bought many souvenirs and concluded the day with the Fantastic light show, another amazing experience.
To wrap up our trip, we visited iFly, a unique indoor skydiving experience, which was a fantastic way to conclude our STEM with NASA adventure. This trip was truly unforgettable, filled with lasting memories and new friendships that we will cherish forever.
Claire Vickery 9KU and Sophia Clayton 9LI
