Space Camp

Twelfth Mission to Houston

"The whole programme taught me so much about careers in science and it has helped me to focus on what I want to study at university." (Zoe Ralston, Space Camp January 2008)

Students from across Scotland checked in at Glasgow Airport on Friday 5th September 2008, ready to embark on the trip of a lifetime, the twelfth mission to Space Center Houston by the Careers Scotland Space School.

Stay tuned for the Daily Log from Houston.

About Space Camp

"Space school was amazing; a once in a life time opportunity. I wouldn’t change it for anything and was definitely worth more than the effort. I met so many great people and made so many friends – I just can’t believe it’s over – it went so quickly. It has really confirmed that I want to study maths and science and who knows where I’ll be in ten years time – I might even be working at NASA! I had the best time ever in Houston and only wish I could do it again!" (Hazel Cumming, Space Camp January 2008)

There are two space camps each year; in January and September. They provide 52 students from across Scotland with a life-changing experience.

For ten hectic activity-filled days students are stretched to the limit by a mixture of lectures, workshops, group tasks, assignments and tours of NASA’s facilities, not to mention a full social programme!

Day 1 is spent travelling and experiencing (perhaps for the first time), the joys of jetlag! Day 2 is for acclimatisation and orientation, and allowing the group to get to know each other before a visit to the Challenger Center on Day 3.

The serious business starts on Day 4 at Space Center Houston, where NASA staff outline a 5-day programme of space-related activities which pit teams of students and their leaders against each other on a ‘Mission to Mars’ with big prizes for the winners and severe penalties for the losers. Notionally it is an 8-hour day, but there is homework to do and midnight oil to burn.

After all the hard work the students have earned some relaxation time on Day 9, before getting togged up for the Graduation Ceremony and Dinner, attended by many NASA top brass. The musicians among the group provide the formal entertainment but everyone joins in the informal ceilidh at the end of what has been an exhilarating but exhausting week.

Day 10 is the long trek home for a group of students who have learned a great deal, not only about science and technology, but also about themselves. Meeting a host of inspirational figures from the space programme will not really sink in until much later, when they look at the photos. Friends and families should be warned that they will hear the ‘NASA’ word for a long time to come.

Without realising it, the young people returning from space camp have become ambassadors for Scotland and science; and will influence many of their peers on their return, having joined an exclusive group of Careers Scotland Space School Alumni.