Scottish Space SchoolAbout the programme
2024
The Scottish Space School seeks to inspire the next generation to pursue engineering related courses of study, and consider careers in engineering and technology.
The summer school programme is an opportunity for the pupils who attend to participate in a number of engineering-based activities, all of which are aimed at increasing the awareness of engineering and the career opportunities available.
It is a one-week, residential programme run by the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. 80 S5 pupils from schools all over Scotland attend the programme and stay on the University campus for the week.
About the programme
This year’s programme will take place at the University from Monday 10th June – Friday 14 June.
S5 pupils who would like to attend can apply using our online application form which will be available at this webpage from Friday 16 February 2024, when applications open.
Further information about the programme and the application process, including the deadline to apply, is available within the sections below.
The current programme comprises of a week-long residential summer school with an eclectic mix of lectures, labs and workshops all on a space theme, delivered by leading academics and researchers, and supported by NASA astronauts and engineers.
Successful pupils arrive at the University on Monday morning and stay on-campus in university accommodation each evening, with the programme concluding on Friday afternoon. Throughout the week, colleagues from each department of the Faculty of Engineering’s 8 departments offer an activity or challenge which the pupils work in groups to complete. Groups are supported by a current student mentor who themselves attended Space School when they were in S5. NASA guests join the students in selected activities and engage with them in small group and one-to-one discussions with the explicit aim of inspiring the next generation of engineers.
There are also a number of social events which take place in the evenings, attended by pupils, mentors, staff and NASA colleagues.
There is no cost associated with attending the programme.
Who can apply?
School pupils currently studying in S5 at a Scottish School can apply for the programme.
Learning Journey to Houston, Texas
During the Space School week, staff and mentors assess the pupils based on their performance on the tasks and activities, their skills both as a team leader and a team player, and their general attitude. 40 pupils are then invited back to attend a selection workshop at the University. Following a rigorous assessment process, 8 pupils are chosen to go on a week-long Learning Journey to Houston, Texas in October following the summer school.
The Learning Journey is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the selected pupils which sees them travel to Houston, Texas for one week, accompanied by staff from the University.
During the trip, pupils have a jam-packed programme of activities including a visit to the Johnson Space Centre where they can tour facilities such as the Robotics Testing Area and Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. A visit to the annual Wings Over Houston air show, star gazing through one of the largest telescopes in the USA at the George Observatory, visits to local universities and engineering companies, and a number of talks from NASA engineers and astronauts are also included.
There is no cost associated with attending the Learning Journey to Houston, this is all covered by the University.
Back on campus
The 2023 programme ran in June on-campus following three years of being run virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We were so excited to get back to normal and welcome 80 pupils to Strathclyde. The programme was made up of lectures and activities offered by University staff as well as visiting NASA representatives. Let's see how they got on:
Isaac’s journey, from attendee to mentor
Isaac attended Scottish Space School in 2019 and was chosen as one of the eight pupils to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Houston, Texas to visit NASA and meet astronauts and engineers. Afterward, Isaac applied to study Electrical & Mechanical Engineering with us and is now in Year 4 of his degree. Isaac was a mentor at the 2023 Scottish Space School, and is can now use his own experience to encourage school pupils to follow in his path and consider a career in Engineering.