NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida

You’ll kick off one of the most exciting STEM-focused educational student trips you’ve ever been on by touching down in one of the top ten busiest airports in the country. Once you arrive in sunny Orlando, you’ll take a private transport to your hotel and settle in, explore the city, or grab some local fare.

Load up early to head to your first of two days at the Kennedy Space Center. When you arrive, you’ll navigate the Center easily by using their Mission Zones, which are arranged in chronological order. With a heavy focus on all things discovery and innovation, STEM enthusiasts will be satisfied with activities like touring the “garden of giants” and exploring the rockets from former NASA programs and learning about future projects like journeying to Mars.
Wrap up your day at the Center (don’t worry if you missed anything – you’ll be back tomorrow) with plenty of time to make your way over to the coast to embark on your late afternoon adventure. There, meet your guide to launch your kayaks, and soak in the last of the day’s warm, Florida sunshine surrounded by local water friends like dolphins and manatees. As night falls, keep your eyes on the surface as the bioluminescence part of the tour steals the show and lights up movements underwater with an Avatar-like blue glow. After you enjoy a peaceful paddle back to shore, you’ll head to your accommodations for a well-earned night’s sleep.
The next morning, grab a quick breakfast, and it’s back to the Space Center. Cover whatever you didn’t get to yesterday, but be sure that includes the two-hour bus tour to get a unique ‘behind the scenes’ look at the facility. After you’ve had your fill, head back to Orlando for the evening.

Wake up ready for a truly hands-on experience in science as you head to the Orlando Science Center for the morning. There’s something for everyone with exhibits like Dino Digs, Kinetic Zone, and Fusion, an exhibit that is entirely devoted to art created using STEM. Make your way over to a ‘Science Live!’ program in one of the exhibits to add an extra bit of interaction to your experience.
Since you’ll be in the heart of downtown Orlando, you can grab lunch at one of the local cafes in the area before renting bikes and cycling about three miles though Urban Trail, which helps showcase why Orlando’s nickname is ‘City Beautiful.’ Take in impressive industrial landscape and wind around six different lakes surrounded by mature trees on your commute. End your trek and spend the rest of the day biking around more of the city (there are over 40 miles of trails!), or take it easy and eat a meal on the water at one of the many restaurants in the area with a lovely view of the lake.

Today’s theme is exploration through nature, and Alexander Springs has plenty to offer. Located only an hour outside of Orlando,  the springs are situated on the fringe of Ocala National Forest and boast turquoise waters that stay a cool 72 degrees year-round, no matter what the fickle Florida weather is up to. Canoe, kayak, swim, hike the interpretive loop trail which highlights some history in the area or go a little further into the actual forest using the access points. Maybe have a picnic lunch under the shade of trees or in the pavilion. Soak in as much sun, wildlife, and perfect water as you can before making the commute back to Orlando for the night.

On your last full day, put on your STEM hats once more for an immersive and interactive experience at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI). After you make the trip from Orlando to Tampa, you’ll begin with Connectus, an exhibit showcasing technologies of the future. From there, you’ll visit the Idea Lab to get creative, or over to Mission: Moonbase for another look at what NASA is dreaming up. Don’t miss the Sky Trail Ropes Course before you go! 

Venture back to Orlando for dinner and one last night of fun at ICON Park; an entertainment-focused area where you will check out SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology or even see the city from up high on the giant observation wheel!

Grab a latte at one of the local craft coffee shops, and head to the airport where you can wave to the palm trees as you depart for home.