In May 2016, 11 students of class VI to X were taken on a 10-day educational trip to the United States of America during which they visited NASA Kennedy Space Centre. The team had lunch with the astronauts, watched 3D movies with them, saw a shuttle launch and visited the launch pad of NASA. They also went to Niagara Falls, The Empire State Building, Times Square, Broadway, Brooklyn Bridge, The United Nations Headquarters, Disney Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios and Cocoa Beach among other places in New York and Orlando.

The trip to the United States was a highlight of the year 2016 in St. Michael’s School. We tied up with EdTerra Edventures to arrange the trip. The itinerary was well planned and accommodation and safety of the students well taken care of. A team of teachers accompanied the students for educational purposes. The students were also given an EdTerra Knowledge Kit each before the trip.
Day 1 began with the arrival in New York, lunch and a guided tour of New York. The students visited 9/11 Memorial, United Nations Headquarters, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Broadway and Times Square. Day 2 was reserved for the 8 hour-drive to Niagara Falls and some quiz games on the way. On the third day, students went to see the breathtaking Niagara Falls, learning about its history and its use to produce hydroelectric power, and of course went down to the Maid of the Mist.

Trips to the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty were scheduled on Day 4 after which the team took a flight to Orlando. Disney’s Magic Kingdom, with its unique rides and theme park was extremely thrilling. Later in the evening, the students participated in a Young Authors Program conducted in Orlando, where their literary skills were polished.

Day 6 was the day for the most-awaited trip to Kennedy Space Centre, NASA. The day started with the Explorers’ Bus Tour during which the students saw the launch pad sites, VAB and launch control centre. Saturn V Center, IMAX 3D movie theatre and Rocket Garden came next. Students got a chance to get a stimulator experience of the lift off of Apollo 11, and came face to face with Saturn V – the largest, heaviest and most expensive rocket ever built. They also got a chance to touch a piece of the moon rock and witness the landing of the Eagle on the moon’s surface. Watching a movie on Hubble Telescope in IMAX 3D, which showed real footage, was particularly thrilling. They also had lunch with the astronauts.

The day ended with a walk around Walmart, a photo session at Cocoa Beach and dinner.

The next two days were spent in Orlando, during which the students went to Universal Studios’ Island of Adventure, and then a flight back home.

“I got a chance to live entirely independently during this trip and enjoy to the fullest in a beautiful country like America. This journey was a complete package of education, entertainment, travel, photography, and surprises. I loved it,” Aditi Priya

“My daughter’s trip to NASA, which many people only dream of, was one of the proudest and happiest moments of my life. I was a bit emotional thinking my child would not be with me for 10 days, but I was sure she was in safe hands. This trip was without a doubt the best accomplishments of the school in 2016. I appreciate the entire team of teachers and officials who took care of 11 children and ensured that the trip’s purpose is completely fulfilled. I am very happy to have been associated with this school,” Santosh Kumar Sahu, Father of Ritika Sahu.