The Faculty of Engineering’s longest-running outreach programme

The Scottish Space School seeks to inspire the next generation to pursue engineering-related courses of study and consider careers in engineering and technology.

On-Campus Week - June

Open to all S5 pupils in Scotland, the non-residential programme runs for one week (Monday – Friday) in June and sees pupils attend an eclectic mix of space-themed lectures, labs and workshops, delivered by leading academics and researchers from the University, and supported by NASA astronauts and engineers who travel to the University to spend the week with the attendees.

Throughout the week, colleagues from each of the Faculty of Engineering’s eight 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.

As the programme is non-residential, pupils should be able to make their way each day to the Strathclyde University Campus in the heart of Glasgow City Centre. There is no cost associated with attending the programme and a contribution towards travel expenses to and from the University each day is provided.

Learning Journey to Houston, Texas - October

During the on-campus week in June, staff and mentors assess the attendees based on their performance during 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 the week following the on-campus programme. Following a rigorous assessment process, 8 pupils are chosen to go on a week-long Learning Journey to Houston, Texas in October.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the selected pupils and they 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.

There is no cost associated with attending the Learning Journey to Houston, this is all covered by the Faculty and pupils are accompanied by University staff from the Faculty of Engineering.