Four lucky Jon Egging Trust (JET) students from Cornwall and Shropshire have had an out of this world experience attending NASA’s Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. The six-day camp immersed students in the world of space and aimed to help them realise their potential and truly reach for the stars.
Kitt, 13, and Domas, 12, from Helston Community College in Cornwall and Esmae-Hope, 13, and Harry, 12, from the Hadley Learning Community in Telford, Shropshire are currently enrolled on JET’s long-term Blue Skies programme. Their once-in-a-lifetime trip to the USA was made possible by JET’s Platinum Partners, Northrop Grumman, who have funded the camp for eight years.
Space Camp gave the students the opportunity to train like astronauts and take part in STEM and aerospace challenges and teamwork exercises which boost confidence and resilience and shine a spotlight on some of the extraordinary careers available in the sector.
Teacher Danielle Long from Helston Community College accompanied the students and said: “It was simply the best week of our lives. The boys had a wonderful time, and we are all so grateful to Northrop Grumman. They rode zero gravity rides and 1/6 gravity chairs, managed missions, fired rockets, made friends for life and gained the biggest smiles. Domas’s mum said he grew two inches inside due to this experience. They are changed for good, and we are beyond grateful.”
Natalie Stewart, STEM co-ordinator at Hadley Learning Community accompanied the year eight pupils and said: “This once-in-a-lifetime adventure was packed with hands-on science, high-tech simulations, and incredible international collaboration. From the moment we touched down in Huntsville, Alabama, we were immersed in a world of space exploration. One of the highlights of the week was taking part in simulated missions to Mars and the Moon – but the experience went far beyond simulations. Esmae and Harry had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with students from all over the world, sharing ideas, learning about different cultures, and working together as one global team of future scientists and engineers.
“Seeing our students shine in such a high-pressure, inspiring environment was amazing. They stepped up to every challenge, made friends from across the globe, and represented our school with pride.
“A huge thank you goes to Northrop Grumman and the Jon Egging Trust, whose support made this extraordinary opportunity possible. Their commitment to inspiring young people through STEM education helped Esmae and Harry aim higher than ever, literally! Space Camp Alabama wasn’t just about rockets and simulators, it was about growing confidence, sparking curiosity, and showing our students that the sky isn’t the limit…it’s just the beginning.”
Nick Chaffey, Chief Executive, UK for Northrop Grumman, said: “As we continue to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape, engaging the broadest possible range of talents to meet the challenges ahead of us, is more crucial than ever. Our shared vision with our longstanding partner, the Jon Egging Trust, is to inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers, and problem-solvers. JET’s programmes have been instrumental in creating pathways and supporting young people by engaging in STEM activities. It’s essential that we inspire young minds from diverse communities throughout the UK to pursue careers in STEM. By building these bridges, we not only tackle the skills gap but also strengthen our industries and communities for the long term.”
The students are part of the Blue Skies programme run by JET which supports young people over three years through a STEM-inspired syllabus. The programme provides young people who face barriers to learning with long-term support and access to inspirational teams and individuals.
Laura Carey, Director of Programmes and Impact at the Jon Egging Trust, said: “We’re so grateful for the continued support from Northrop Grumman which makes Space Camp possible for some of our Blue Skies students. We see such a boost to their confidence and enthusiasm for academic life after attending the camp, which for many is their first experience outside of the UK.”
