School Visits / Field Trips
NOTICE (March 2023): The format for school visits has changed. Please see our main education page for the latest updates.
A trip to Te Awamutu Space Centre is an experience your students won't forget. The venue is full of interesting displays and interactive activities to fire the imagination for all ages (including adults).
We can accommodate up to about 60 students of any age.
How it Works
Step 1: Make a booking
Use our booking form to request a visit, or contact us if you'd like to discuss it first.
Cost: $8 per student. Teachers and adult helpers are free. If you can't afford our standard rates, we have some subsidies available for schools or students in high need. Please ask if you'd like to apply for a subsidy.
You can pay in advance, on the day of the visit, or we can invoice you after the visit.
Step 2: Prepare for your visit
As Dave is no longer giving a presentation, we recommend that you watch his talk online before your visit. The whole talk is 40 minutes but you don't have to watch all of it. Make a note of any questions and bring them when you visit.
When you organize adult helpers, please make it clear that they will be actively helping to supervise and assist students. Only bring people who have agreed to this, and only bring as many adults as you need. We recommend the following adult/student ratios:
- Year 0–3: 1/5
- Year 4–6: 1/6
- Year 7–8: 1/7
- Year 9+: 1/15
For primary schools, it helps to have students organised into groups of 8 to 10 per group, with 1 or 2 adult supervisors per group.
For secondary schools, adult helpers and students groups are not necessary—your normal teaching staff should be sufficient.
If you need a Risk Assessment & Management Form you can use our RAMS template (we don't need you to send it to us, it's just for your own records if you want it). You can find more compliance information and documents here.
Step 3: The visit
You should allow about two hours for your visit but you can stay longer if you like. When you arrive, there will be a short welcome from our staff. From there, you simply start exploring the venue. Things to do include:
- Various displays and interactive activities.
- Complete challenges to earn "astronaut wings".
- 15-minute virtual reality show.
You can take a break at any stage for a run around outside, have some food, etc.
To finish the visit, we can gather all students for a Q&A session and wrap-up.
Facilities & Accessibility
The venue is wheelchair-accessible. There are two toilets in the main building. The female toilet doubles as the disabled toilet.
Directions and Parking
See our map. Cars and vans can park on the grass beside the main building or on Whitmore Street. Please do not park in the neighbour's property. Buses can park on any of the three roads surrounding the Space Centre, or on the tar seal next to the church. Your bus driver may like to drive around the whole triangular block before choosing exactly where to park (it's a small block).
And finally...
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us.
Ready to book?
Go to the booking form.