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Educational Field Trips

Exploration Meets Education  

Inspire the next generation of space explorers with a Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex field trip. Here, your students will launch into a galaxy of fun and learning through authentic NASA science, technology, engineering and math. While Kennedy Space Center's story has a rich history, today it is active as America's multi-user spaceport.

During a field trip, students come face-to-face with Space Shuttle Atlantis ® , explore the massive 363 foot-long Saturn V moon rocket at the Apollo/Saturn V Center , tour NASA's spaceflight operations, interact with immersive simulators and exhibits, and so much more. Additional ways to enhance your field trip include taking a guided bus tour, sitting down for Chat with An Astronaut , downloading the free Space Chase! app, or customizing your visit with the KSC SmartGuide . 

For the health and safety of guests and crew members, some activities may be impacted and new health procedures are in place.

Information:

• A trip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a full-day experience.
• There is a 15 students minimum to qualify for a group rate.
• We are unable to accommodate walk-up groups.
• One-week advance reservation suggested; some programs or add-on enhancements require full payment at the time of booking.
• One chaperone for every five students in kindergarten through grade 5.
• One chaperone for every 10 students in grade 6 through 12.

Currently field trips are only available at the visitor complex and cannot be provided virtually.

Space Chase!  App

Space Chase!  Explore & Learn is the mobile learning experience for students before, during and after their school field trip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Students use their smartphones to investigate and solve space-related challenges, earning stars for correctly accomplishing tasks. Enhance and extend your field trip with the  Space Chase!  app, now available in the  Apple Store  and  Google Play .

Educational Programs 

In addition to day trips, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex educational programs support the National Science Standards and NASA STEM initiatives. Learn more about the various programs .

Whether you are with a school, homeschool group or another youth group call 1.855.433.4210 from 10 AM to 4 PM EST daily to learn about all of our field trip opportunities.

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Summer Reading with Astronaut Authors

9 Free Space Virtual Field Trips You Need to Take

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read my disclosure policy .

Have you ever wanted to take your kids on a field trip through the far reaches of the universe? Show them what it’s like to stand on the moon?

Then you need to take a space virtual field trip with your kids!

Space Virtual Field Trips

There’s nothing like space virtual field trips for showing the universe to your children. You’ll explore Mars, check out the moon, tour the International Space Station, and more!

You and your kids will love taking these space virtual field trips through space in the comfort of your own home.

1. Interactive Mars Tour

See the images the Curiosity Rover sent back from Mars! The field trip begins by introducing NASA’s Curiosity Rover mission. Then you have the option of moving along Mar’s terrain, learning more about the mission, or traveling to different mission sites.

Head off on an interactive Mars field trip.

2. The Known Universe

Tour the known universe with an amazing video from the American Museum of Natural History. You and your children will start by hovering over the Himalayas before rising above the Earth and into space. This virtual field trip will take you to the farthest reaches of known space before returning you safely home again.

Don’t miss this stunning Tour the known universe .

3.The Nine Planets Solar System Tour

Head off on a virtual interactive tour of the solar system with The Nine Planets Solar System Tour. You’ll be able to view the solar system along with the constellations behind it. And you’ll also study each of the planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus. In addition, you’ll explore the composition of the dwarf planets or the sun, and take a closer look at various moons.

The Nine Planets Solar System Tour is a beautiful space virtual field trip.

4. International Space Station Tour

Expedition 33 Commander Suni Williams will take you on a tour of the International Space Station. You’ll learn about the different modules such as Harmony, Destiny, and Columbus. You and your kids will see the observation deck as well as the command post.

The International Space Station Tour is a fascinating glimpse of life in outer space.

5. Explore 3D Virtual Sites in Space

This site allows you to download and view 13 different sites in space, sites such as the Moon, Saturn, Pluto, Ceres, and the Milky Way Galaxy. Your kids will be fascinated by these glimpses into other worlds.

Head over and explore these virtual sites in space .

6. U.S. Space and Rocket Center

Tour the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville Alabama. See how large the rockets were. Take a look at a mockup of the lunar lander. And glance inside the mobile quarantine facility.

The US Space and Rocket Center Tour is an incredible glimpse into the history of US Space exploration.

7. Boeing Virtual Field Trip

Head over the Boeing for a trip to the historic Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. You and your kids will see inside the Starliner/CST-100, check out the Starliner simulator, meet some Boeing employees, and much more!

Take the Boeing Virtual Field Trip!

8. Tour of the Moon in 4K

Head to the moon for a tour in 4K! You’ll check out the Orientale Basin, the Shackleton Crater, the Apollo 17 Mission landing site, and more. Plus there are videos about how the moon evolved and seeing the Earthrise on the moon.

Tour of the Moon in 4K is an unforgettable space virtual field trip!

9. Virtual Planetarium: Sun, Moon, Stars

In the virtual planetarium show, “Sun, Moon, and Stars”, you’ll check out the sun’s daily path, classify start, note common constellations, and more.

Watch the Virtual Planetarium: Sun, Moon, Stars today.

Your and your children will love these space virtual field trips that explore the universe.

You’ll see the sun, the moon, and the stars. Meet people designing our future in space. And learn what life is like on the International Space Station.

>> Check out more virtual field trips you can take from home!

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How to Choose and Plan an Astronomical Field Trip

There are a few different topics that you can reliably trust that your kids will be interested in. Dinosaurs, construction vehicles, and proper belly-flop techniques are all worthy subjects, but if you’re looking for a great educational trip that’s sure to inspire your kids to keep exploring, there’s nothing quite like an astronomy field trip!

What is Astronomy?

At its most simple, Astronomy is the study of space, the stars, and everything else…out there. It is the oldest branch of the natural sciences, as cultures across the world have been studying the stars for literal millenia.

We’ve found star maps carved into mammoth tusks and ancient structures aligned to the sun and stars, but it’s impossible to really know the first time a human looked to the sky and began to wonder. For many years, astronomy was used for tracking the seasons and navigating the seas, but in modern times we are taking our knowledge of the stars ever further. We’ve landed rovers on Mars to search for life and we’ve even managed to send probes beyond the edge of our solar system! 

Needless to say, recent years have been extremely exciting for the astronomical community. 

Unfortunately, despite all of our incredible advancements in space-faring technology, astronomical field trips remain distinctly earth-bound. Even so, with a little bit of creativity and a cloud-free night, there are plenty of great ways to help your kids explore outer space! 

What Kind of Astronomy Trip are you looking for?

In my mind, field trips have always been about learning more about topics experientially, but that can be a bit tricky when learning about outer space. It’s pretty hard to experience outer space directly! 

Even so, there are several different types of field trips that can help your kids learn more about outer space and our continued efforts to understand humanity’s place in it. 

Stargazing with Kids

I love getting the chance to go stargazing with my kids when I can! 

As far as field trips with kids go, star-gazing remains one of the simplest ones you can do, as all you really need to have a good time is some space outside and a dark, cloudless sky. Unfortunately, more than 90% of all Americans live in areas with large amounts of light pollution, so dark skies are quite a bit more difficult to find than they were in the past. 

You don’t have to travel very far outside of town before the sky darkens enough to see many of the brightest stars, but the further away you can get from bright lights, the better, as many of the faintest stars can’t be seen except in the darkest of skies. 

The best way to maximize your star-gazing time is to find a camping spot in an area far enough away from a major city to give you some great views. The best spot that I’ve personally experienced was my family’s campsite in Badlands National Park , which came with the added bonus of waking up to bison and prairie dogs surrounding our tent! 

If you need some help finding a good spot, some sites, like Hipcamp, have dark skies filters that you can use to find the best stargazing camping spots near you. (Plus, if you use my referral code, jacobs74d938 , you can get $10 towards your first campsite booking!)

Also check out…

The Wonderful “Good-ness” Of Badlands National Park

Constellation books

There are a ton of books you can get that do an excellent job of explaining the basics of stars and constellations to kids. Be sure to check your local library before buying any, but here are a few that I would suggest starting with.

What we see in the Stars: An Illustrated Tour of the Night Sky

This book was my own kids’ first introduction to constellations and space, and it is an absolutely beautiful place to start.

Stargazing for Kids: An Introduction to Astronomy

Astronomy Activity Book for Kids

Constellations for Kids: An Easy Guide to Discovering the Stars

Star-gazing Apps

Books are great resources for learning about the stars, but when it comes time to actually find the stars in the sky, it ca be hard to find the stars they mention. Instead, I like using the Star Walk 2 app on my phone when I want more details on what I’m seeing in the sky.

I really love this one because it can orient your phone’s screen to your real world position so you can more easily find specific objects or learn more about what you’re looking at in real time!

You can check it out here . (Not an affiliate link. Just a really good app!)

Star-gazing Tours 

If you decide to do your stargazing in a popular location, there’s a chance that you’ll be able to join a star-gazing tour! 

Stargazing tours have several major benefits over watching the stars on your own. Many times, the tour guides may have access to professional level telescopes that can let you see planets, nebulas, and more with way more detail than you’d be able to see without. Plus the guides will also have lots of experience to share! 

I’ve been on star tours in the Atacama desert twice, and highly recommend the experience, if you ever visit the area. Closer to home, I know Badlands National Park has regular ranger-guided star tours, and several other national parks have stargazing festivals throughout the year. A quick search of the NPS website returns 706 results for stargazing , so you’re pretty likely to find some great astronomy opportunities at a ton of different national parks!

I love America’s National Parks System and highly recommend taking advantage of their offerings as often as you can.

Telescopes for Beginners

While you don’t need a telescope to enjoy your time stargazing, bringing a good one along can help you to see a lot more than you’d be able to see otherwise. I’ve had the opportunity to use other people’s telescopes several times, but I admit that I only own a small birding telescope, myself. It’s great for spotting animal life in the distance or looking at craters on the moon, but isn’t quite strong enough to do a great job with stargazing. 

If I had to pick one for myself, I’d love to spring for this app-enabled telescope from Amazon ! It uses an app on your phone to help you easily calibrate the telescope to find planets, nebulas, and other celestial objects. It looks super simple and comes well-reviewed, but unfortunately does cost a bit for a first-time telescope. 

If you’re looking for something less expensive, I would instead suggest this beginner’s telescope from Toyerbee . It’s still not the cheapest on the market, but comes well-reviewed and has plenty of magnification to still capture some great views!

StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Telescope

ToyerBee 70mm telescope

Cameras for taking pictures of stars (Astrophotography)

Telescopes are awesome for getting to seeing the stars, but sometimes you’re going to want to share what you’ve seen with others. For that, you’ll need a camera capable of taking a picture of the stars!

There are some professional level astrophotography cameras out there, but if you’re just getting started, you might be surprised to learn that your phone may be capable of some pretty incredible shots on its own! 

I’ve used my Pixel phones to take night-time photos several times over the years, and I have loved how well the pictures have turned out! 

So long as you have astrophotography mode enabled, all you have to do is set your phone up with its camera facing the portion of sky you want and click to start the process. After that, you’ll need to keep your phone completely still as the camera essentially takes a 5-minute long video. At the end, the phone compresses the entire 5 minutes down into a single shot!

I’ve used water bottles and rocks as makeshift holders in the past, but I’ve generally found that buying a cheap tripod and a bluetooth shutter button can make the whole process way easier, since you can more easily aim your phone where you want it.  It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be able to hold your phone still. 

65” Phone Tripod

Flexible Cell Phone Tripod and Bluetooth Remote Control

7 Great Ways To Add Education To A Camping Trip

Other Astronomical Events to watch with kids

The stars tend to be visible in most rural locations, so long as you can get a cloudless night. But there are other astronomical events that depend a lot more on timing and location to see. 

Luckily, many astronomical events occur on a repeating schedule so you can reliably predict when they will happen! In-the-Sky.org has a calendar of astronomical events that you can use to plan your next trip. (Embedded below) 

Events like comets, meteor showers, and eclipses are regular and easy to predict, which makes them great choices for field trips. Other astronomical events, like auroras, are caused by irregular events and can’t be consistently predicted, though there are usually times where they are more or less likely to happen. 

Other phenomena are completely unpredictable and you have to be lucky to spot. I will never forget the time I walked outside and saw a surprise asteroid hanging in the sky! It was small enough that astronomers completely missed it until it was less than a day away from Earth, but still big and close enough that my wife momentarily mistook it for the moon. It was absolutely incredible , and I will probably never be so lucky again. 

Other phenomena like this include meteors and meteorites, or asteroids that pass close enough to be seen with a telescope, but not with the naked eye.  

Watching Rocket Launches with kids

While stargazing trips are all about looking out at the beauty of space, watching a rocket launch is all about watching our attempts to explore the stars ourselves! 

My family recently had the opportunity to watch a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral during a camping trip in Florida. We managed to get a great site at Moss Park Campground in Orlando where there is a lakeside boardwalk with a fantastic view of the skies over Canaveral. It was a fantastic location for watching the rocket launch from a distance. Plus, it was just a really good campground. Definitely check it out if you’re looking for a campsite in the Orlando area. 

If you’d prefer a closer place to watch, Florida’s Space Coast website has a great list of popular viewing spots, as well. Just be aware that the closer to the actual launch site you get, the louder the launch will be. Even at a distance, rockets can be plenty loud enough to cause some kids stress.

If you have kids that are sensitive to noise, but who also want to experience a rocket launch, I’d suggest investing in a good pair of earplugs, like these kid-friendly ones from Alpine . Or these over-ear muting headphones , if they don’t like feel of in-ear earplugs.

While most rocket launches you can watch in the States occur at Canaveral, there are other launch sites you can check out both in the States and around the world. If you get the chance, it’s definitely worth checking out! For a complete schedule of rocket launches from around the world, you can visit RocketLaunch.live . 

Museums and Planetariums with kids

Normally I prefer field trips that allow kids to experience things for themselves, up close and personal. However, that can be quite tricky when we’re talking about other planets and stars! 

That’s where museums come in. 

Most science museums in the US will have at least a couple of exhibits dedicated to space exploration, and these are fantastic resources for giving kids a way to learn about space in a more hands-on way than just reading books. 

If you have access to a museum with a planetarium, star shows are also a ton of fun! 

The quality of the exhibits varies greatly from museum to museum, but most will have plenty of graphical representations of our solar system and a variety of different constellations for younger kids as well as more informational displays for older kids who like to read.

One of the absolute best space museums in the US is the Smithsonian National Space and Aviation Museum in Washington D.C. In fact, if you find yourself in the area, I highly recommend exploring as many of the Smithsonian Museums as you can fit into your stay! ( Protip: the DC Metro train system is reliable and inexpensive, so it can actually be both cheaper and easier to stay outside of DC and take the train in to see the sights!)

Archaeoastronomy 

Archaeoastronomy is a blending of astronomy and archaeology, and is essentially the study of how ancient cultures studied and understood astronomical phenomena. It probably leans more towards archaeology than it does astronomy, but if you time your trip to locations like Chichen-Itza , Abu Simbel, or Stonehenge appropriately, you can witness the absolutely fascinating ways that ancient cultures arranged their architecture to align with the stars! 

It’s worth noting that these areas do tend to get pretty crowded on the days when the stars line up with their design, but it’s a chance to see these archeological sites in a way that most people never get to experience, so there’s some give and take. 

The night sky has been a constant presence in the life of humans for humanity. It has inspired countless artists, poets, and scientists over the millennia, and remains one of the easiest sources of beauty and mystery to access for most people around the globe.

Have fun exploring!

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Blast Off Into Space with a Virtual Field Trip

Ever since Neil Armstrong took his first step on the moon in 1969, children have been dreaming of growing up to become an astronaut. Learning about the solar system leaves most people starry-eyed – even billionaires. So much so that Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos, spent $5.5 billion to spend four minutes in orbit. Unfortunately, most school systems don't have billions of dollars lying around to fund a field trip into space - but that's where space virtual field trips come in! 

According to NASA, the requirements to become an astronaut are as follows: 

• must be a U.S. citizen
• must possess a master's degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field
• must have at least two years of professional experience after obtaining your degree or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time on a jet
• must be able to pass the NASA long-duration flight astronaut physical

That's a lot of time and money invested into becoming an astronaut! 

With a virtual field trip to space, students can skip over the years of training and costs of lifting off into space. Instead, they can safely explore the universe's wonders from their classrooms with a TV, tablet, or VR headset and discuss critical topics in the science curriculum.

You may be asking, how can I plan a virtual field trip for my classroom? With the help of Kai XR , students get the chance to travel around the world and beyond – opening up endless opportunities to dream big, develop 21st-century skills, and explore the universe around them. 

Kai XR is a platform built by educators, dreamers, and technologists who saw an opportunity to embrace the future of education and inspire the next generation of innovators with educational extended reality experiences. It's our mission to bridge the gap between technology and access while empowering students to build the future they want to see. Virtual field trips to outer space are just one of the many ways we do that. 

But back to the topic at hand: taking your students to the final frontier! 

In this article, we'll discuss:

• What a virtual field trip is and how it works 
• Benefits of virtual field trips
• Benefits of exploring outer space in the classroom
• Lessons for your outer space field trip 

Preparing for lift-off… 

What is a Virtual Field Trip? 

So what exactly is a virtual field trip? Isn't the point of a field trip to get out in the field? 

Yes and no. Technology has changed the paradigm around what it means to take a field trip. Remote learning, time, and money constraints make it impossible for every lesson to be out in the field to get in-person experience. Teachers report several reasons why planning a field trip can be difficult, including: 

• Funding (25%)
• Creating the plan (20%)  
• Tying in educational aspects (18%) 
• Time management (14%)
• Engaging students (9%) 

Virtual field trips are a great way to overcome those barriers. You can now get the same enriching educational experience in your classroom as in person at a museum by engaging in a virtual field trip. Kai XR's virtual field trips take kids of all ages around the world (and beyond) on any device that can connect to the internet. Leveraging interactive 360° technology, our virtual field trips simulate the in-person experience, putting kids in control of their learning experience. 

Here are five great examples of where you can take your students on a virtual field trip: 

• Explore the Taj Mahal 
• Come face-to-face with a hammerhead shark
• Discover the parts of the cell
• Go ehind-the-scenes at a mixed reality studio
• Visit the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. monument 

By now, virtual field trips are starting to sound better and better. But they’re not just something you can stream on YouTube. You'll need to take a few steps to set them up. So let's get into how virtual field trips work. 

How Do Virtual Field Trips Work? 

Virtual field trips can provide an immersive experience about a particular educational subject using virtual reality or augmented reality tools. Often, you'll need a platform that offers content, access to the internet to stream the content, and a viewing device. 

Classrooms will need different equipment based on what kind of experience you want to give your students. Let's break down the difference between virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), and learn more about what equipment you'll need for each. 

Augmented reality provides limited levels of virtual experience. This type of technology layers a digital experience over the physical world around you. AR can be experienced through a smartphone or tablet. If you're familiar with Pokemon Go, it's the perfect example of AR! 

Suppose you were to do an augmented reality field trip in your classroom. In that case, students might use a mobile device to overlay a 360° model of Stonehenge on their desk to understand the phenomenon of the structure better. Or maybe they'd use a smartphone to scan and identify a plant on a nature walk in science class. Then, information about the plant would display on the screen in real-time. 

Mixed reality takes a step closer to being entirely virtual. It's similar to AR in that you still view the physical world. However, in this case, the physical and virtual worlds still crossover and interact. For example, a student could wear a see-through headset and watch Martin Luther King Jr. give his "I Have a Dream" speech as if he was standing at the front of the classroom. 

Finally, the most immersive experience can be found in virtual reality. VR creates a 360° fully immersive experience through a headset. For example, any game played on the Oculus Rift would be considered VR. Headsets can be as high-tech as the Oculus Rift or low-tech as a cardboard headset that uses a smartphone. 

In VR, students don't interact with the physical world; they're focused and immersed wholly in a computer-generated world. One example of a true virtual reality field trip would be using a headset to dive into the Pacific Ocean to observe the wildlife at the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. 

To sum things up, you have a lot of options when it comes to taking a virtual field trip. It all depends on what kind of technology you have accessible in your classroom. Kai XR creates virtual field trip experiences with this in mind. Our interactive explore platform lets students take virtual field trips using any smartphone, laptop, tablet, or VR headset. 

Benefits of Virtual Field Trips

Field trips have been a tradition in education for a long time. They've been consistently recognized as a great way to help students engage in real-world learning experiences. Studies show that 54% of students strongly agree that a field trip has helped them increase their knowledge base of the subject. The research also shows that field trips: 

• Promote hands-on learning
• Reinforce cultural growth and personal development
• Increase student engagement
• Speed up succeeding lectures 

Until recently, it's been hard to replicate the impact of an in-person field trip in the classroom. However, with the increased access to technology in the classroom and the rise of technology platforms supporting education, facilitating this kind of learning in the school with a virtual field trip is easier than ever. 

But that's not the only benefit to consider. Students can enjoy the many benefits of virtual field trips :

• 21st-century learning skills development
• Social-emotional learning activities
• Accessibility for students with disabilities
• Pathway to a global mindset
• Exposure to career options

A well-designed virtual field trip can give students a deeper understanding of the topic by connecting the subject matter to real-world applications. That's because students engage with content not just in a cognitive way but also in a sensory, emotional, and kinesthetic way. Active learning of this kind can develop more neural pathways and help students absorb the information better. Translating that information into a real-world experience allows them to apply what they learned in real life. This is especially important when teaching science topics like climate change, pollution, or environmental protection.

One study sampled 102 middle school students that participated in a virtual field trip to Greenland to measure the impact of virtual learning.  Some students experienced the journey in a head-mounted display and others through a 2D video. The group that experienced the field trip virtually scored significantly higher on various measurements such as:

• Being present during the lesson
• Enjoyment of the class
• Interest in the experience
• Immediate retention
• Performance on a delayed posttest. 

In addition, the researchers theorized that enjoyment positively influenced their immediate retention and interest boosted delayed posttest scores, indicating these factors may play essential roles in the learning process. 

The use of technology in the classroom has been proven to improve 21st-century skills for students , such as life and career skills, learning and innovation skills, and information, media, and technology skills. That's because the experience combines creativity, innovation, and critical thinking, with the technical skills needed to operate the devices. 

One literature review found evidence that while skills-based learning outcomes were the most common gains, they also found that students were also better at recalling the information they learned about and demonstrated better learning comprehension. 

Teachers can also greatly benefit from utilizing virtual field trips in the classroom. Benefits include: 

• Flexibility in planning and timing
• A budget-friendly option
• Lighter teacher workload
• More engaged students
• Equity and access

Virtual field trips allow teachers to take their students on educational adventures without leaving their classrooms or traveling long distances. As a result, they'll save time on trying to coordinate all of the details of the day and the stress of keeping track of everyone away from the school. In addition, teachers can spend more time talking and asking questions to their students after the experience instead of trying to make sure everyone is on the bus home. 

Take a Virtual Field Trip to Space

Clearly, NASA virtual field trips can be an excellent opportunity to take the lesson out of the classroom without having to leave physically. Also, thanks to the universe's vastness, there are many topics classes can cover when it comes to learning about outer space! The possibilities are endless! 

For example, Kai XR offers various options to launch your space explorers into learning, and we're expanding daily! Our platform provides access to seven different field trips to space: 

• Aerospace Engineering - Students can explore an aerospace engineering career path with a scientist working with NASA
• Our Solar System - Study the solar system, the Asteroid Belt, and the Kuiper Belt
• Asteroids - Learn how comets, meteors, and asteroids fall to the Earth because of gravity
• Touch the Sun - Discover how scientists safely observe and learn about the sun at the Space Launch Complex in Cape Canaveral 
• Astronaut Training - Our International Space Station virtual field trip helps students learn what it takes to be an astronaut at the station
• The Night Sky - Learn how to recognize constellations in the sky and decode their meaning 
• Discover Space Shuttle - Take a tour of NASA's historic Discovery Shuttle 

And we're adding new experiences every day! 

Kai XR is dedicated to equipping programs and schools with more than just a library of digital content. We also provide professional development for educators and curriculum and lesson plans centered around the experiences we provide. 

So if you're not sure how to tie in our outer space virtual space field trips with a real-world experience, we have a few ideas: 

• After exploring The Night Sky , ask students to show their parents a constellation in the sky on the next clear night. 
• After a day of learning about Our Solar System , ask the students to draw the planets, including the correct size, color, and order.
• Have a class discussion about what they think would happen if large Asteroids hit the Earth. Then tie it back to a lesson about the Mesozoic Era (We have a field trip for that too!) 

As you can see, there are plenty of ways you can tie our outer space field trips into your science curriculum. 

Benefits of Exploring Outer Space 

Space is the perfect place to give kids a taste of adventure and learning. There's so much to learn, and NASA and other space organizations worldwide make new discoveries daily! 

In a 2013 report, NASA and the International Space Exploration Coordination Group highlighted three main benefits of space exploration :

• Innovation 
• Culture and inspiration
• New means to address global changes 

Space exploration has sparked countless technological innovations that further Earth's workforce development and industrial capabilities. These technologies have pushed industries like health care, robotics, and automation forward. For example, studying the human body's experience in the International Space Station microgravity environment can help doctors better understand the process of aging. 

Studying space also has intangible benefits, such as its effects on humankind's social development. Space travel has expanded our view of the limits of the human experience on a global scale. It has unified humanity as global citizens on many occasions. For example, the iconic photo of Earth taken from the Apollo 8 mission in 1968 gave the world a new perspective on Earth's place among the cosmos. It raised awareness about the need for global solutions to environmental challenges. 

It's clear that space exploration has significant benefits for all of society, but why is it such an important subject to explore in the classroom? Much like the societal benefits highlighted above, there are many reasons why it's essential to teach kids about space. Here are just a few:

• Sparks interest in science
• Introduces children to new ideas and concepts 
• Encourages kids to strive for greatness
• Teaches students how to think out of the box 
• Helps students think from a global perspective 

Teaching your children about space is a great way to engage them in science. Through this curriculum, students will learn about the solar system, its planets, and other celestial bodies in our galaxy. They will also learn about the history of space exploration throughout history.

Space is an exciting subject that can help develop critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities. Learning about space will inspire children to think big, solve problems, and aim high when it comes to their own goals in life.

The Sky's the Limit with Kai XR 

Virtual field trips have a wide range of benefits. From encouraging social-emotional learning and engagement to building critical 21st-century skills, virtual reality is a new frontier for education just waiting to be explored! Now that you know the benefits of virtual field trips, especially in space, it's time to explore your options! Check out Kai XR's vast library of virtual field trips today. 

Here's a sneak peek at what other adventures our platform has to offer: 

• Travel to UC Berkeley to learn about CRISPR
• Visit the Obama's Whitehouse 
• Explore the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum 
• Dive with the fish in the Great Barrier Reef 

Ready to take the next step? We offer demos for programs and schools and pricing for households and small groups. So get started with Kai XR today! 

You might want to check out: 

• Virtual Field Trips to the Zoo: A Chance to Explore
• How to Create a Calendar of Virtual Field Trips for Families
• Educational, Engaging, Accessible: The Benefits of Virtual Field Trips
• Take Your Classroom 360º with These 10 Virtual Field Trips

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There’s so much for you and your students to explore. All you need to do is start. Try out Kai XR on your smart device, tablet, VR headset, or laptop. We’ll be your guide!

Dive deeper into the metaverse, XR, VR, and all the tech bringing the next generation of learning to your classroom.

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National Geographic Education Blog

Bring the spirit of exploration to your classroom.

Next Virtual Field Trip Destination? Our Solar System and Beyond!

Explore outer space with this National Geographic Virtual Field Trip! Meet an astrophysicist searching the stars for distant planets, a nonprofit founder making space accessible to young people, and the co-creators of a new solar system graphic that appears in National Geographic magazine.

Originally airing live on Wednesday, September 29 at 1 p.m. ET, this Virtual Field Trip is available now on YouTube .

The Virtual Field Trip features:  

• Munazza Alam : Munazza is an astrophysicist and National Geographic Explorer. She is a Ph.D. candidate at the Harvard and Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and is currently researching a category of large, bright exoplanets called hot Jupiters. 
• Ilias Psyroukis : Ilias is a National Geographic Young Explorer, space pioneer, and educator. He is the co-founder of Space Innovation (SPIN), a nonprofit that develops and shares knowledge about space technologies and makes space accessible to young people.
• Patricia Healy : Patricia is a graphics researcher who recently co-created a detailed infographic of the solar system featured in the September 2021 issue of National Geographic magazine.
• Manuel Canales : Manuel is a National Geographic senior graphics editor who develops maps and illustrations featured in National Geographic magazine. He teamed up with Patricia to create the new solar system infographic. 

Subjects:  Physics, Earth Science, Astronomy, Technology

Content recommended for grades 4-8 

This Virtual Field Trip is hosted by Krista Strahan, and is presented in partnership with the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative .

Photo courtesy of Marty Schnure.

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The Nine Planets

Solar System Tour

Solar System Scope is an incredibly accurate solar system tour, allowing you to explore the solar system, the night sky and outer space in real-time.

All of the objects on the tour are accurately positioned based on where they are right this very second, and the tour contains interesting facts and information about the many objects in space.

Every now and then, don’t you wish you could just pack your bags and jet off on an exciting, awe-inspiring journey across our breathtaking solar system? Ever wondered what it’d be like to skim past the gas giants or marvel at the icy rings of Saturn up close? Well, while Elon Musk is still working on making that a reality, I’ll be your virtual guide on a one-of-a-kind solar system tour – an enlightening adventure, without the risk of being lost in space!

Our journey starts right here, on our very own life-logged planet, Earth. As we embark on this space voyage, we’ll traverse through the neighboring rocky planets, glide past the incredible asteroid belt, and sweep across the majestic giants, their icy rings and numerous satellites. Towards the end, we’ll be gracefully riding the gravitational waves, leaving the outer edges of our solar system, where you’ll get a rare glimpse of the enigmatic region populated by icy objects known as the Kuiper Belt.

But before we start our engines and head for the inky vastness of space, it’s important to remember that although space explorations have given us a fair idea about these celestial bodies, there’s still an ocean of mysteries waiting to be unfolded. The real beauty of our cosmic neighborhood lies in its sheer vastness, diversity and the endless scope of discovery that it harbors. From the scorching heat of Mercury to the frigid reaches Pluto and beyond, brace yourself for an  out-of-this-world experience !

The Exciting Experience of a Solar System Tour

Imagine the prospect of a real-life  solar system tour . It’s akin to a child’s joy on their first trip to a theme park. A hands-on space exploration that goes beyond the textbooks, casting a mesmerizing spell on minds open to the wonders of the universe.

Propelling past Earth’s atmosphere, you’d first mark a date with our closest celestial neighbor—the Moon. The Apollo astronauts traversed its dusty plains more than five decades ago. Yet for us, it would still be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Next on the itinerary is our scorched twin, Venus. Here’s a fun fact,  Venus  is the only planet in our solar system that spins opposite to Earth.

Then we arrive at the pièce de résistance: our bloodline, the Sun. During the visit, you could learn more about its billion-year lifespan and its constant solar storms. The solar system tour would not be complete without a stopover at Mars. Known as the Red Planet, it’s been the subject of numerous  space missions , most notably the Mars Rover mission seeking evidence of life.

Here’s a quick tabular overview:

From the asteroid belt to Jupiter’s turbulent storms, every celestial body sits ready to unfold its story. With the tour continuing to the outer reaches of the universe, you’d experience the icy solitude of the outer planets like Neptune and Uranus.

However, we shouldn’t forget about an often overlooked, yet significant part of our solar system. Those are the  comets  and asteroids, remnants from the formation of our system almost 4.6 billion years ago.

Being part of a solar system tour , you wouldn’t just be observing the cosmos. Instead, you’d immerse yourself in a cosmic ocean, each wave presenting a new revelation about the universe. It’s not merely an experience; it’s the chance to physically connect with the vast expanse of space that usually only feels a speck away in the night sky. This would indeed be a ticket to the greatest show in the cosmos.

Traveling through the Solar System: What to Expect

Imagine blasting off into the cosmos on a spaceship designed for a thrilling expedition! As we set off on our  solar system tour , the things we’ll perceive are extraordinarily vast and stunningly diverse. This voyage will give us a newfound respect for the majesty of the cosmic neighborhood we inhabit.

Our first stop will be  Mercury , the closest planet to the sun. It’s a small, bare, and intensely heated planet. We shouldn’t forget the sunscreen as daytime temperatures can soar up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit!

Next, we’ll swing by  Venus  – the hot, hurricane-ridden planet awaits us with an unbelievably corrosive atmosphere. It’s interesting to note that Venus rotates in the opposite direction to most planets, including Earth.

Continuing our journey, we’ll visit  Mars . Mars has the tallest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, three times the height of Mount Everest. And don’t forget about the giant canyon, Valles Marineris, which would stretch from New York to Los Angeles if it was on Earth!

Yet, our extraordinary adventure won’t be all about planets. We’ll have a chance to marvel at the  Asteroid Belt , a ring composed of millions of rocky bodies. This celestial obstacle course lies between Mars and Jupiter.

Of course, we’ll also encounter the majestic giants of our solar system. The gas giants,  Saturn  and  Jupiter , as well as the icy giants,  Uranus  and  Neptune , will present captivating sights. We’ll see Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, an anticyclonic storm larger than Earth, and Saturn’s intricate ring system. Uranus and Neptune, on the other hand, will dazzle us with their stunning cool-blue hues.

Admittedly, going further to behold the beauty of  Pluto , once a planet, now a dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt, caps off this unique expedition. The journey end will leave us with an understanding of the infinite yet harmonious chaos that forms our solar system.

So buckle up, folks. The adventure through our heavenly bodies is par for the cosmic course. Our solar system, with its varied and breathtaking celestial bodies, offers a journey like no other. It’s going to be a wild ride! Just remember, despite the vastness of space, we’re never too far away from our home planet, Earth.

Conclusion: Reflecting on Our Intergalactic Journey

Wraping up, we’ve journeyed past planets and stars, across cosmic fields, and brushed alongside cosmic neighbors throughout our solar system tour.  Isn’t it just incredible that we live in such an expansive universe that holds so many unseen wonders?

Throughout our intergalactic expedition, we’ll forever remember the unique characteristics of each celestial body. Let’s just take a quick review again:

• Mercury,  with its sweltering days and frigid nights,
• Venus,  stunningly bright yet shrouded in clouds,
• Mars,  our red neighbor that pique our curiosity about extraterrestrial life,
• Jupiter’s  giant gas storms,
• Saturn’s  enchanting rings,
• Uranus  and  Neptune’s  icy allure,
• And let’s not forget about our little cosmic sibling, the dwarf planet  Pluto .

Something important stood out during our journey, invoking a sense of interconnectivity. Each exists in symbiosis, drawing and relying upon the sun’s energy. Just like how everything on Earth is connected, so are we connected to our cosmic counterparts.

So, what’s the takeaway? Should we plan to pack our bags and ship off to Mars? I’ll leave that up to you. What I will stress, though, is the importance of space exploration. It’s not just a testament to human curiosity, it’s a driver of scientific breakthroughs and a reminder of the vast unexplored universe that lies ahead of us.

It might seem frightening, or perhaps intriguing. Yet isn’t that the essence of exploration? Stepping into the unknown, learning new things, using that newfound knowledge to improve and innovate. And in doing so, perhaps we’ll find more about ourselves along the way.

To sum it up, our universe offers infinite mysteries and wonders for us to discover. As we move forward, let’s keep looking up and fueling our curiosity. Remember, no question is a bad question and our solar system tour just has begun. As we continue to explore the stars, who knows what we’ll uncover? The only thing for sure is that the stars await, ready to share their secrets with us.

Due to errors in the way the solar system model works embedded on this page, we now link directly to Solar System Scope.

19 Space Field Trips for Kids in Southern California

Calling all Space Cadets!  10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1……blast off!  Southern California is home to numerous Space Field Trips for Kids , where children can learn and explore our outer universe!  Whether playing at Moon Park in Costa Mesa to watching the night sky at the Palomar Observatory, children have the opportunity to go more in depth with this topic.

So pick a place and take your child on one of these 19 Space Field Trips for Kids today!

Space Field Trips for Kids in California

California Science Center , Los Angeles

The California Science Center has over 100 hands-on exhibits in their exhibit halls, which makes science concepts easy to grasp and fun to explore for the whole family.  All exhibits are free except for traveling exhibits.

Guests who come to see The Space Shuttle Endeavour begin their experience in Endeavour: The California Story, a companion exhibit featuring images and artifacts that relate the shuttle program to California, where the orbiters were built.  Following their visit to The California Story, guests are directed to the Samuel Oschin Pavilion to see the Endeavour.

After your all-day science adventure, watch an IMAX film on the science center’s seven-story IMAX.  Experience an IMAX movie and get the big picture! 

Columbia Space Memorial Center , Downey

The Columbia Memorial Space Center is the only space science learning center in the Los Angeles area dedicated to hands-on robotics and boasts LA’s only Challenger Learning Center.  During your visit, you will learn about Downey’s place in the exploration of space flight, from the Apollo capsules to the Space Shuttle Orbiters.

Field trips last approximately two hours and are appropriate for all ages.  Included is quality exploration time on their two exhibits floors, an interactive STEM activity, and a programming lesson in the Robotics Lab.

credit: The Downey Patriot

For 5th grade and up, the center offers a field trip to their Challenger Learning Center.  Here students are transformed into scientists, engineers, and researchers on a simulated space mission, complete with mission control and spacecraft.  Advance reservations are required for groups of 16-36 participants per mission.

The center also hosts a club called Columbia Astronomers for kids that meets the third Saturday of every month at 7 pm.  Kids and parents are invited to expand their knowledge of the universe, share their love for the night sky, and talk all things astronomy.  Following every monthly club meeting, telescope viewing is set up in front of the Columbia Memorial Space Center.

credit: Columbia Space Memorial Center

Discovery Science Cube OC , Santa Ana

We have been to Discovery Science Cube OC on numerous occasions.  One of my daughter’s favorite exhibits is the Planetary Research Center.  Here students can view the earth on a suspended, animated globe from a completely unique vantage point.  Explore weather patterns, observe historic storms and relive catastrophic earthquakes and observe flight patterns around the globe as lights soaring across the night sky.

Discovery Science Cube LA , Sylmar 

Similar to the Discovery Science Cube OC, the Cube in Los Angeles has a Planetary Research Station as well.  They offer very similar field trips.

credit: Discovery Cube LA

Donald E. Bianchi Planetarium , Cal State University, Northridge

The Donald E. Bianchi Planetarium provides bi-weekly star shows and other programs for the many communities of the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas.  At the heart of the 100-seat star theater lies the Spitz-512 Star Projector, capable of recreating the night sky on our 40-foot dome with accuracy and brilliance.

Over 2,000 stars, the five visible planets, and all of the apparent motions of the sky come alive overhead in a unique and relaxing environment.  The Bianchi Planetarium is also equipped to support large format image projection and captivating digital sound. 

El Camino College Planetarium , Torrance

This fun planetarium has GOTO Chronos planetarium projector with star plate technology that projects 8,500 stars (down to magnitude 6.5), planets, and the Milky Way.  Thirteen of the brightest stars in the sky are projected in their natural colors.  In addition to stars, the Chronos projector can accurately display 26 of the most popular celestial objects like the Adromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula with dedicated projectors for the Magellanic clouds.  They host regular public viewings and school groups.

OCC Planetarium , Costa Mesa

The Orange Coast College Planetarium is committed to providing an innovative, immersive, and illuminating experience for Orange County and beyond.  They offer field trip experiences for the local school community from kindergarten through high school which include spectacular star shows, spherical science, and more.  Field trips are scheduled into two blocks each weekday, at 9:00 am and 11:00 am and public programs operate on Friday evenings and weekends.

George F. Beattie Planetarium , San Bernardino

The 57-seat Planetarium features a star projector that can provide views from the North Pole to the South Pole, showing all the stars that can be seen with the un-aided eye on the darkest and clearest nights.  All public shows are at 7 p.m. on Friday nights.  One of the most popular shows is “The Christmas Star,’’ which is presented three times in December.

Griffith Observatory , Hollywood

At Southern California’s most popular observatory, visitors can look through telescopes, explore exhibits, see live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.  Admission is free.

photo credit: Matthew Field

Jet Propulsion Laboratory , Pasadena

JPL’s educational tours are designed for schools and educational groups of 20 people or more.  The tour is specifically geared for children in 3rd grade and up for comprehension of information.  However, we had younger children in our group when we went a few years ago and it was fine.  

First, we saw a short multimedia presentation about JPL entitled “Journey to the Planets and Beyond,” which provides an overview of the Laboratory’s activities and accomplishments.  Next, we visited the von Karman Visitor Center, the Space Flight Operations Facility, and the Spacecraft Assembly Facility.  It is truly an amazing field trip!

Moon Park , Costa Mesa

Moon Park commemorates the July 20, 1969 Moon landing.  The 30-foot cratered gray concrete dome, which simulates the lunar surface, is a prominent feature of the park.  The park is located at 3337 California Street, Costa Mesa.

RCC Planetarium , Riverside Community College, Riverside

This planetarium hosts monthly public showings that start at 7 pm.  To schedule a field trip your home or school group, please call their Community Education Department at 951-222-8090.

Tessman Planetarium , Santa Ana Junior College, Santa Ana

Families can see one of the planetarium’s 75 minutes interactive astronomy shows and discover the wonders of the universe.  All of their shows contain information about the latest discoveries in astronomy and science.  Field trips are aligned with the K-12 State of California Science Content Standards.  Every December they present a special Holiday show called “The Star of Bethlehem” that takes a trip through time to see how the sky looked 2000 years ago.

Palomar College Planetarium , San Marcos

This specific planetarium is the 5th largest planetarium in California.  The theater has 138 seats that sit under a 50-foot Astrotec dome.  The planetarium hosts field trips for area schools each Tuesday & Thursday morning all year long. 

At the planetarium students are given a brief tour of current constellations and the night sky.   The students are then taken on a n informative virtual journey through the Solar System.

Palomar Observatory , Palmor Mountain

Palomar Observatory is owned and operated by the California Institute of Technology.  The Observatory is a popular destination in Southern California and receives tens of thousands of visitors a year from all over the world.  Most come to see the famous 200-inch (5.1-meter) Hale Telescope — for decades the largest effective telescope in operation.   They also offer guided tours of the facility.

photo credit: Coneslayer

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center , San Diego

Join the Science Center on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. or 8:15 p.m. for a special program called The Sky Mountain, a tour of the solar system narrated by the Fleet’s astronomer.  

For optimal viewing, each show is limited to 250 attendees. Avoid sold-out shows by purchasing tickets in advance.   For ages 5+.   Free telescope viewing with the San Diego Astronomy Association os available outside after the shows, weather permitting.

The John Drescher Planetarium , Santa Monica College, Santa Monica

At its heart of this planetariums is the Evans & Sutherland Digistar II planetarium projector, which was the first of its kind on the West Coast.  Using digital technology, audiences can fly beyond the solar system and soar among the stars.  They are open to the public every Friday night, offering public planetarium shows designed for the whole family, and provide weekday special shows for schools and other groups.

UCLA Planetarium and Telescope Shows , Los Angeles

Public planetarium shows (free and suitable for all ages) are given by current astronomy and astrophysics graduate students.  Content varies with presenters, but commonly includes discussion about the current night sky, constellations, astronomical phenomena, and more.  Every Wednesday night at 7 pm they host a show for the public!  See website for show listings.

Victor Valley College Planetarium , Victor Valley

The planetarium has a regular schedule of shows open to the public for a small fee in the evenings.  All seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.  Seating is limited to 50 persons per show.   Reservations are not normally accepted, but groups of six or more may call in advance with their name, date of attendance, and size of party.

Do you know of any places that host space field trips for kids in Southern California?  Please let us know and we will be happy to add it to the list.

Happy Field Tripping!

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Free Virtual Field Trips to Space

Posted by Julie Bello on 3/18/2020

Outer Space

Why not visit another world from the comfort of your home! With these interactive virtual tours, you can explore the galaxy and even take a trip to the International Space Station.

• Interactive Mars Virtual Tour – NASA has teamed up with Google to create an interactive Mars virtual tour using the data collected from the Mars Curiosity Rover launched in 2011. Learn about the Curiosity mission, click around the terrain to move the Rover across the surface, and travel to different mission sites.
• International Space Station – NASA – NASA has provided videos that allow you to tour the ISS with the astronauts on board.
• International Space Station – ESA – The European Space Agency has also provided a guided 3D tour of the International Space Station.
• 3D Mekanlar Virtual Sites in Space – 3D interactive tours of several our space destinations including Saturn, Jupiter, the International Space Station, Neptune and Triton, and more
• US Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL – Take a look at the Saturn 5 Rocket and more on this virtual field trip at the US Space and Rocket Center.
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• Space Travel + Astronomy

13 Things Tourists Should Know Before Traveling to Space, According to Astronauts

We asked the pros for their best tips on handling a first trip to space.

For most of human spaceflight history, those lucky enough to reach the stars were professional astronauts hired and trained by government agencies around the world. But since the early 2000s, when seven intrepid travelers paid millions to spend a few days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), space tourism has begun to take off. We're now on the cusp of a new era of space exploration, with commercial companies like Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin launching spacecraft capable of taking paying travelers beyond the Earth's surface.

We spoke with former NASA astronauts Leroy Chiao and Scott Parazynski to get their tips for first-time spaceflight participants. During his 15 years with NASA, Chiao participated in four missions — three aboard the space shuttle and one to the ISS, in which he served as commander. Parazynski worked at NASA for 17 years, flying five shuttle missions throughout his career. Read on to discover what they think aspiring space tourists need to know.

Your only job on the flight will be to kick back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

If you're taking a suborbital flight, which is what companies like Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin have offered, your ride will be a quick up-and-down to reach space, rather than a full orbit of the Earth. The short journey is relatively easy compared to what professional astronauts experience. For starters, you won't need to worry about flying your spacecraft. That's all up to the spaceflight provider. "You won't have any responsibility other than to enjoy the experience — and not kick anyone else in the head," says Parazynski. "Their obligations on the flight are pretty straightforward."

As such, the training programs for suborbital space tourist experiences are relatively minimal, perhaps only a few days in length at most. "The downside of not having a lot of training is that you don't have the confidence that comes from lots of training," says Parazynski. "Contrast that with the training I had on the space shuttle, where we trained for hundreds and hundreds of hours for launching in space. If something were to go awry, we would know exactly what to do and our hearts wouldn't skip a beat."

So, other than learning to place your complete trust in your spaceflight provider, Parazynski recommends talking to people who have flown before in order to ease any nervousness. Chiao agrees: "The best advice I can give on launch — and it's easy to say, harder to do — is to try to relax and enjoy the whole process," he says. "Pay attention during your training, talk to other people who've been there if you can. And actually, you might be surprised — it's quite calm!"

Make sure you’re physically and mentally fit.

"I think people should treat this as their Olympics or Super Bowl. This is a really big life experience, and though you don't need to be an Olympic athlete or a Super Bowl champion to fly in space, it helps to be fit," says Parazynski. After all, your body will be experiencing quite a range of new sensations during your spaceflight."

But it's not just about physical fitness — mental fitness is key, too. "I think through fitness comes mental acuity as well," says Parazynski. "The more you can be engaged in the experience, the more you'll remember of it — it'll be more impactful to you."

The G-forces experienced on launch and reentry are not as intense as you might expect.

If you've ever watched a livestream of an astronaut launch, caught any Hollywood flick about space travel, or ridden Mission: Space at Walt Disney World's Epcot theme park, you know that during launch, astronauts get crushed back into their seats. (And, actually, during reentry, too!) They're experiencing strong G-forces, or a sensation of weight felt during acceleration. It's the same feeling you get when you speed up quickly in a car or zoom through a loop or a sharp curve on a roller coaster, but during a rocket launch, those forces are stronger and more sustained. While the experience might seem a little terrifying, the pros say it's quite manageable.

"The G-forces aren't nearly as bad as they show in the movies," says Chiao. "If you're good enough to be given medical approval to go on a trip like this, you're not going to have any problems handling the G-forces." He also notes that you'll likely go through centrifugal runs during your training to prep for the sensation — you'll be strapped into a spinning machine that lets you experience strong G-forces, just like that spinning amusement park ride where you're pressed against the wall and the floor drops.

But to make launch and reentry as comfortable on your body as possible, you'll want to physically relax your muscles so you don't fight against the G-forces. "If you relax and let your body sink into the launch couch, you're going to tolerate it much better," says Chiao. "If you're rigid, that's where you might hurt yourself. And make sure your limbs and arms are inside of the couch."

To prep for weightlessness, you should book a zero-gravity flight.

While it takes quite a bit of effort (and time and money) to get into space to experience weightlessness, you can actually experience the sensation right here on Earth — or rather, just slightly above it. All you need to do is book a zero-gravity flight , where a plane flies in a series of parabolas (or arch-like shapes) during which passengers experience simulated weightlessness through free fall.

It's physically the same as skydiving or even riding a roller coaster, but in those two instances, your senses tell you you're actually falling. "When you're in a zero-G airplane, the airplane is falling at the same rate you are, so you're floating inside the airplane," says Chiao. "That's what it's like in a spacecraft when you get up into space and the engines cut off."

Through commercial companies like the Zero Gravity Corporation , anyone who can spare the cost of a ticket can experience weightlessness — and anyone who's planning on making a trip to space should definitely give it a go. "If they have the means, they should get on a zero-G flight before they go on a suborbital flight," says Parazynski. "It would take some of the mystery out of 'what am I going to feel like?' and 'how do I move?'"

Learning how to scuba dive is good weightlessness training, too.

While being underwater isn't exactly like floating in space, it's a pretty good way to practice moving around in a weightless environment. In fact, NASA even has a life-sized replica of the ISS set inside a giant pool, so astronauts can train for spacewalks underwater.

"Moving in weightlessness comes to you very quickly when you spend some time underwater," says Parazynski. "Get neutrally buoyant underwater and very gently try and move yourself along the ocean floor or bottom of your pool. It doesn't take a lot of force, but it does take a lot of thought."

Come up with a game plan for your few minutes in space.

On suborbital flights, you're only going to have a few minutes in weightlessness, so you should plan exactly how you want to spend your time up there. Figure out if you'd like to bring a memento like a family photo or college pennant for a fun picture. (U.S. Naval Academy graduates and former astronauts Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford famously put a "Beat Army" sign in the window of their Gemini VI spacecraft, so there's a long tradition of this.) Decide in advance if you want to attempt what spaceflight veterans call "stupid astronaut tricks," like flips or spins. But most importantly, budget time to look out the window.

"The most important thing I would tell future astronauts is to savor the view out the window," says Parazynski. "It's, for lack of a better term, a God's-eye view, and so few people have ever had a chance to see it. It's really a beautiful thing to be hovering in space and looking down at your planet."

Don’t worry about taking your own photos.

"As far as taking photographs, I don't know that I would recommend it," says Chiao. "You're not going to be very good at it, first of all, because it takes a little bit of practice to get used to zero-G. Don't waste that time taking photos. Get your memories, look out those windows, and enjoy the whole experience of being weightless." Plus, given the price tag of these spaceflights, we're pretty sure that your operator will provide you with photos and videos of your journey anyway.

When you get into zero gravity, you might feel a little dizzy.

The body functions a bit differently when you remove gravity from the equation for a sustained period of time, and side effects may include dizziness and nausea. "You're going to feel full-headed because there's no longer gravity pulling fluid down into your legs," says Chiao. "And so all that fluid comes up into your torso, and you can feel it right away. It feels kind of like you're standing on your head."

But the good news is, on suborbital flights you might be able to avoid the worst of it. "The adrenaline and excitement are going to make you do OK at first, and by the time you might start feeling bad, it's time to strap back in and come back down," says Chiao.

If you’re spending a few days in space, be prepared for some bumps and bruises.

On a suborbital flight, you won't have a ton of time in space, so you won't really have to worry about acclimating to zero gravity. However, some private spaceflight companies are looking to send their clients up into orbit for longer stays and there are even talks of a space hotel within Voyager Station . If you're going to spend a few days or even a few weeks up in space, you're probably going to bump your head more than once, no matter how much you've trained for the experience.

"It's really funny watching rookie astronauts the first day or two up on a mission," says Parazynski. "We called them the bull in a china shop. They push off with full force and they crack their skull or bang their knee."

You’re also going to make a mess.

Doing routine tasks like brushing your teeth (you can't just spit your toothpaste into a sink), clipping your fingernails (you don't want them floating off into your space station), and going to the bathroom (have you ever thought about how to use a toilet without gravity?) are all very different experiences in weightlessness. Inevitably, you might have a few mishaps early on in your trip.

"Just sitting down for a meal, you put your fork down, and it's gone in 30 seconds," says Parazynski. "You may find it two days later in the cabin air cleaner because that's where the air currents have taken it." Luckily, a lost fork is an easy mess to clean up — and the situation can be prevented by tethering it down. Other messes are a different story.

"As far as using the restroom, that's what you need to pay attention to during your training. The toilet is not particularly simple and you have to be careful," says Chiao. (In case you were wondering, space toilets use airflow to guide things where they're supposed to go.) "But be prepared to make some messes," says Chiao. "And everybody has to clean up their own mess."

If you’re going to do a spacewalk, the stakes are much higher for you and your crew.

If you want to zip around space with a jetpack like George Clooney in "Gravity," sorry, but chances are that's not going to happen any time soon. Most private astronauts will be safely tucked inside their craft for the duration of their flight.

Unlike suborbital flights, future orbital flights with a spacewalk will require extensive training, given that spacewalks are inherently more dangerous than simply riding in a vessel. "If you're careless with your tethers and you float off into the void, there's not a whole lot anyone can come do for you," says Parazynski. It's possible that a crewmate may be able to head out to rescue you, but then you're endangering their life as well. "It's paramount for a spacewalker to think not just about their own health and well-being and their experience, but also that of their crewmates," he says.

If you’re in a capsule, be prepared for a bumpy landing.

While the only way up to space is by rocket, there are two ways to come back down: via a winged vehicle, like the space shuttle or Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, or a capsule, like Apollo, Soyuz, and Blue Origin's New Shepard. The experiences are quite different, as winged vehicles land like an airplane on a runway, whereas capsules descend beneath parachutes onto land or water. While both experience a range of G-forces during reentry, capsules have a bit of a rougher ride, particularly at the very end.

"When the parachute comes out, you can expect to get jostled around a fair amount, so that can be disorienting," says Chiao. "Then, whether you're hitting the water or the ground, you're gonna get a good bump. There are shock-absorbing mechanisms, of course, that make it not too big a deal. But on Soyuz, you smack the ground pretty darn hard. It was kind of surprising!"

It’ll be worth every penny.

Sure, it's going to cost a small fortune to go into space as a tourist — for now, that's somewhere in the ballpark of several hundred thousand dollars for a suborbital flight and millions of dollars for longer-duration orbital stays. But ask any astronaut, and they're sure to tell you it'll be worth the investment.

"What I would tell prospective astronauts is that it's going to change their lives forever," says Parazynski. "It's a perspective that can't be captured in emotion on film. Even in 3D IMAX, there's no way to capture the way it's going to make you feel, the connectedness you feel to planet Earth, and the awe you have when you look out into the universe."

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Journey to outer space in the latest Navigating Nuclear virtual field trip

In partnership with Discovery Education, ANS launched its third virtual field trip on May 6. “ Nuclear Frontiers: Powering Possibility ” takes students on a journey to learn how Earth-based nuclear science and technology are paving the way in space exploration. It is available on-demand on the Navigating Nuclear website .

Who’s who: In the video aimed at grades 3-5, students virtually meet former NASA astronaut Franklin Chang-Diaz; David Poston, chief reactor designer for the NASA Kilopower Project at Los Alamos National Laboratory; and Candace Davison, assistant director for education and outreach and senior reactor operator at the Penn State University research reactor. Poston and Davison are ANS members.

Fusion-powered space travel: Chang-Diaz, who participated in seven Space Shuttle missions, and space-walked outside of the International Space Station, is helping to develop the Advanced Plasma Rocket systems that may one day transport passengers to Mars. He explained how nuclear fusion works and why it is necessary in deep space exploration.

“We will still need conventional chemical rockets to get off the surface of the Earth and land on the Earth, but the interplanetary travel will be driven by nuclear power,” Chang-Diaz said in the video. “Space is an opportunity for the whole world, and I long to see that day when space will be a place for all.”

Failure isn’t bad: Davison followed with a tutorial on the research being done at Penn State with the research reactor. She also explained the importance of the scientific process, which sometimes means an experiment that fails.

“A lot of people think failure is a bad thing, but it can also be good,” Davison said. “Don’t be afraid because actually in failing you get to learn more than if it worked the first time. Failure can help you improve and do better than you did the first time. Failure of an experiment is still a good experiment.”

Living in space: The final segment of the video, featuring Poston, centers on how humans could some day live in outer space. To be successful, there needs to be enough power to produce oxygen to breathe, produce heat, power computers, and grow food. “Nuclear power allows us to take a whole lot of energy potential into one small space and use it regardless of whether the sun is shining or whether there’s a dust storm on Mars,” he said.

“Having a base on the moon or Mars is really important as the first step to us expanding out into outer space,” Posen added. “Using nuclear power can take us out to explore not only the planets but eventually outside the solar system to learn all we can about the universe.”

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Virtual field trips take students inside nasa’s commercial crew program.

Danielle Sempsrott

By Danielle Sempsrott NASA’s Kennedy Space Center

As NASA begins a new era of space exploration – returning to the Moon and eventually on to Mars – education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects is increasingly important to the future of our nation’s space program. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program (CCP) plays an integral role in the agency’s deep space exploration goals as it works with commercial partners to launch astronauts to the International Space Station from U.S. soil on American-built rockets and spacecraft. In an effort to inspire the next generation of explorers, NASA’s NextGen STEM CCP project is introducing immersive technology into classrooms to share the story of groundbreaking innovation coming from this government-industry partnership.

One such technology uses virtual field trips to take students along on a journey into the heart of CCP—visiting the NASA centers where the program first began, and the Boeing and SpaceX facilities where next-generation, human-rated spacecraft and rockets are being developed and tested for flight.

“The goal was to use technology to take students and educators to places they probably will never get to see first-hand. We want to excite and inspire with something experiential,” said Joshua Santora, a NASA public affairs officer who conceptualized and developed the tours.

Through 360-degree video and virtual reality technology, students can get a behind-the-scenes look at NASA and commercial partner facilities without leaving the classroom. Teachers can run one video to 30 sets of virtual reality goggles – a class set – centering an entire lesson on space exploration, or they can allow students to choose from a library of videos, making it an individualized experience.

“These field trips are really nice because they allow teachers to bring NASA to their students and explore places they wouldn’t have physical access to otherwise,” said Brianna Parsons, an intern with NASA’s Internship and Fellowship Program in Kennedy Space Center’s communication and public engagement department.

Field trip tour “stops” feature the inside of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX’s Crew Dragon crew capsules, the NASA and provider facilities where astronauts train, and launch pads where commercial crew flights will lift off to the space station.

These videos can play on any device that can download and use virtual reality – even iPhones. For those who are prone to motion sickness, Google Expedition is another form of virtual reality technology being utilized that contains static images rather than videos and features different points of interest for a more controlled experience.

“The technological leaps and bounds from mine, to my kids’ to today’s youth is very cool,” said Denise Coleman, NASA’s NextGen STEM CCP project manager at Kennedy. “I see the passion within NASA, within the educators and within those who want to help the educators. We just have to make sure we instill that same passion in the kids.”

The virtual field trips and mobile app are part of a larger effort by the agency’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) to educate students and teachers about NASA missions and research while providing resources for teachers to engage students in authentic STEM experiences. The NextGen STEM program focuses on four themes: Small Steps to Giant Leaps , CCP , Moon to Mars and STEM on Station – each of which offer unique K-12 educational materials developed for hands-on lessons.

“Engaging students in STEM activities might get them thinking or will help turn that switch on that this is something they’re interested in,” said Jen Hudgins, an education specialist with Paragon TEC at Kennedy. “We need those hands-on careers, even more-so now as NASA prepares for human spaceflight missions that will take us farther than we’ve ever gone before.”

To access the CCP virtual field trips, click here .

Live demonstrations of the virtual field trips also will appear in a series of webcasts each Monday at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time beginning Oct. 28 through Dec. 9 at https://go.nasa.gov/DEEP .

For more information on the full suite of NextGen STEM educational resources, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/stem/nextgenstem/index.html .