NASA trips resume for students at Space Studio West London which has places available for Years 10 & 12 Sept 2022 start

Year 12 students at Space Studio West London will resume their annual trip to NASA this year – more than 24 months after it was brought to a halt by the pandemic. 

The 10-day visit, which provides an experience that is out of this world, includes behind-the scenes visits to the Johnson and Kennedy Space Centers and is designed to inspire the astronauts and astrophysicists of the future. 

This coming academic year, which begins September 2022, will see two NASA trips take place – one in October and the second in February – to make up for the disruption caused by Covid-19.

The trips will provide students with plenty of opportunities to speak to leading experts in the space industry including NASA scientists and engineers. They will also include a private astrophysics lecture at Rice University in Houston, Texas and a tour of the campus. 

The NASA venture is a highlight of the academic calendar for Year 12 students at schools across the Aspirations Academies Trust, including Space Studio West London which is based in Feltham.

Organised under the Trust’s Space Education Adventure programme, the selection process for a place on the trip is a competitive experience!

Students are tasked with making a presentation and also completing a number of science-based challenges when deciding who will earn a place on the trip.  

Space Studio West London currently has places available in Years 10 and 12, September 2022 start. Find out more about the school, which specialises in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) at an open evening and STEM experience event on March 14th which begins at 5.30pm. To find out more or to book a place, please email: office@spacestudiowestlondon.org or visit the website: spacestudiowestlondon.org

Space Studio’s principal, Andy Morgan said: ‘‘The annual trip to NASA is one of the highlights of the academic calendar. Our students at Space Studio are delighted it has returned. It’s a great opportunity for the students to meet leading experts in the space industry and go behind-the-scenes at Johnson and Kennedy Space Centers. 

‘‘Students will also have the chance to gain a better understanding of new and upcoming programmes currently being worked on. The selection process for a place on the trip is highly competitive but it is a rewarding experience.’’

Space Studio West London is home to 300 students aged between 14 to 18-year-olds and class sizes are kept to no more than 25 pupils.

There is an emphasis on one-to-one learning and a teaching model that aims to nurture the engineers, scientists, inventors, entrepreneurs and aerospace experts of the future.

Students regularly secure places at prestigious Russell Group universities and Cambridge.

The last academic year (2020/2021) saw an impressive 47% of their A-level candidates achieve a grade A* or A. Some 69% scored A* to B and 89% achieved grades A* to C.

Year 11 students also enjoyed impressive GCSE success with 70% achieving a Grade 4 or above in English and Maths. Some 41% scored a Grade 5 or above in English and Maths, 77% scored a Grade 4 or above in Maths and 60% a Grade 5 or above.

Over 35% of students taking Biology, Physics and Chemistry achieved a grade 7+ or above. Over 70% of students taking these subjects scored a Grade 5 or above.

Space Studio has close links with employers in the aerospace, science and technology sectors providing plenty of opportunities for students to secure valuable work experience.

Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, British Airways, BP, Heathrow, the National Space Academy and National Physical Laboratories are just some of the businesses the school works with.

Principal Andy Morgan said: ‘‘Space Studio is a calm, safe and productive learning environment where pupils work collaboratively with each other, their teachers and industry mentors. Expectations are high. Opportunities for project-based learning with industry professionals, and work placement are numerous.’’