NASA 

Over the school holidays ten students, accompanied by Mr Patience, returned from an unforgettable STEM adventure across the United States as part of the 2025 Space-X-plore USA Tour.

The trip began in San Francisco, where students took in the sights of the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf before diving into hands-on science experiences. They explored the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier, learning how physics, chemistry and engineering combine in real-world applications, spent time at the Exploratorium and encountered the youtuber IShowSpeed at Pier 39.

From there, the group travelled to Orlando, Florida, for three action-packed days at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre. Students trained like real astronauts through the Astronaut Training Experience (ATX), took part in a simulated mission to Mars, and explored behind the scenes of NASA’s operational rocket launch facilities.

The final stop was Los Angeles, where students investigated the physics behind rollercoasters at Knott’s Berry Farm, before enjoying the thrills of Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood. Between exploring Hollywood’s landmarks and experiencing the science behind movies, the group enjoyed a perfect balance of learning and fun.

This trip was an incredible opportunity for students to see how science, teamwork and imagination drive progress. The Space-X-plore program offered a chance for students to connect classroom science with real-world innovation — and to bring home memories that will last a lifetime.

Cameron Patience 

A huge thank you to Cameron Patience for accompanying the students on this once in a life time opportunity, and to our School Nurse, Carolyn Dickinson, for all her preparation work prior to the trip ensuring medical documentation and requirements were in place.