Space Camp USA 2016
There will be an Information Session at 6.30pm on Tuesday 4 August in the Lecture Theatre for all interested parents and students. If you intend to participate in this tour please come along.
Advanced Space Academy: Huntsville, Alabama: The Advanced Space Academy is fully endorsed by NASA and offers hands-on training aimed at students between 15 and 18 years. The students will participate in a rigorous program that teaches them about the mental, emotional and physical demands astronauts' face and provides leadership training as well as learning the importance of teamwork. They will be able to focus on their own field of interest: Pilot, Mission Specialist and rotate roles in the Orbiter, Space Station and Mission Control. Computer and engineering skills are put to the test as the students design and test a virtual reality Mars rover as well as 1/6 gravity simulations, a Multi-Axis Trainer and a Neutral Buoyancy Trainer. (An Underwater SCUBA Trainer, a smaller version of the Underwater Astronaut Trainer)
Kennedy Space Centre: Cape Canaveral, Florida: The group will also travel to Orlando to visit the Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral, and see the history of US space travel. They will experience a very realistic simulated shuttle launch and walk through a full-scale space shuttle then be amazed by the Apollo Saturn V moon rocket. Students will meet and have lunch with a NASA astronaut and view an IMAX movie afterwards. The group will have the opportunity to join a site tour, take part in a Shuttle Launch Experience, Astronaut Encounter and may participate in numerous hands-on activities at the Visitors Centre.
Students will also participate in a variety of other activities such as:
Orlando Science Center: Orlando, Florida: The Orlando Science Center has been specifically designed as an interactive learning and discovery experience containing hundreds of exhibits, programs and labs, and giant screen films.
Everglades Airboat Ride: Orlando, Florida: Enjoy one of four unique airboat adventures and idle along canals to find exotic birds, turtles and the Florida alligator wallowing in their natural environment. Then soar atop the swamp water at speeds reaching 45mph. You'll feel like you're flying through the wetlands as you enjoy the best Everglades experience in Central Florida.
Universal Studios: Orlando, Florida: Take part in an exclusive Educational Program "Innovation in Motion" and participate in an in-depth discussion of ride design and the application of science and physics when building attractions at Universal Studios® and Universal's Islands of Adventure®. Hear what engineers at Universal Orlando® use on a daily basis to design state-of-the-art attractions. Experience the Transformers 3D Ride, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and the hilarious Simpson's Ride.
Exploratorium, San Francisco, California: This is a twenty-first-century learning laboratory, an eye-opening, always-changing, playful place to explore and tinker. With creative, thought-provoking exhibits, tools, programs, and experiences that ignite curiosity, encourage exploration, and lead to profound learning.
U.S. Department of Energy National Ignition Facility (NIF) - Lawrence Livermore NationalLaboratory, California: This facility is home to the world's largest and highest-energy laser system. They are using lasers to initiate Nuclear Fusion (the power of the Sun). Unlike Nuclear Fission, which involves splitting uranium atoms, Fusion involves fusing atomic nuclei together to ultimately provide a safe, clean source of virtually limitless energy.
City Tour and Alcatraz: San Francisco, California: The San Francisco city tour visits the famous sights of one of the most eclectic cities in the USA. See the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Park, Sausalito and much more. 2.4km off the coast of San Francisco Alcatraz operated as a federal prisoner from 1933 - 1963 and housed some of the USA's most notorious prisoners including Al Capone, Mickey Cohen and Machine Gun Kelly. Visit the Rock and hear the history as you walk the most secure federal prison that existed.
Silicon Valley/Palo Alto: California* Google's Mountain View office - lovingly referred to as the "mothership" - is one of the best tech campuses in the world. You'll see a ton of crazy stuff, like a putting green, self-driving cars, and even their own gardens and basketball court. The Computer History Museum is the world's largest history museum for the preservation and presentation of artefacts and stories of the Information Age located in the heart of Silicon Valley.
*Silicon Valley sights/activities are subject to change
