Program Directed by
Devon Swinburne
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Washington, D.C. & Houston
Aerospace & the Race to Mars
Explore the past, present, and future of aerospace engineering, aviation, and space exploration on this high school summer program through Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park, and Houston, Texas. In the capital, investigate the evolution of flight through discussions with experts and visits to the Smithsonian to see groundbreaking aircraft up close. Take an overnight trip to Shenandoah National Park to construct and launch your own rockets and study the night sky away from city lights. Then travel to Houston to dive into the world of space science at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, meeting engineers, astronauts, and researchers working on Mars missions and the International Space Station. Throughout the program, engage with cutting-edge aerospace technologies and tackle big questions about exploration, ethics, and the role of science in shaping our shared future.
- Highlights
• Learn about aerodynamics, then build and launch your own rocket
• See historic aircraft at the Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
• Use a telescope to stargaze with a NASA Solar System Ambassador
• Go behind the scenes with NASA scientists at the Johnson Space Center
• See historic aircraft at the Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
• Use a telescope to stargaze with a NASA Solar System Ambassador
• Go behind the scenes with NASA scientists at the Johnson Space Center
““We were hoping to find a unique summer experience for our son that would tie into his passions and interests in a fun way. The program exceeded those expectations. Liam had so much fun that we didn’t get even one phone call!”
—Karen & Eric H., Greenwich, CT
Featured
Expert
An Expert joins each Career program for a portion of the itinerary, lending their insights and perspectives to the experience.
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Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and your trip leaders in Washington, D.C., where your journey begins. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Washington, D.C. — 5 days
Begin your program in Washington, D.C. and get to know your group during an in-depth orientation. While in the U.S. capital, explore this historic city, interview local experts, and deepen your understanding about what motivates humans to venture into outer space. Learn about the history of flight and the evolution from airplanes to spacecraft at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, located right on the National Mall. Visit the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, and see groundbreaking aircraft up close including the Enola Gay, the SR-71 Blackbird, and the space shuttle Discovery. Examine the past, present, and future of space exploration in discussions with government officials and historians. Visit monuments in Washington, D.C., and explore the diverse foods and flavors of the city’s restaurant scene.
Shenandoah National Park — 2 days
Take a road trip to Shenandoah National Park for a crash course on the basics of aerodynamics. Then build your own model rockets and launch them from the valley floor of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hike and explore Shenandoah’s unique ecology with a local guide, stargaze away from the city lights, and embark on a guided astronomical journey through the lens of a telescope with a NASA Solar System Ambassador.
Houston — 5 days
Fly to Houston and meet with scientists on the cutting edge of space exploration at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Learn how Mission Control communicates with the International Space Station, speak with local experts, brainstorm what it would really take to colonize Mars, and taste-test food that astronauts take on missions. Have dinner with an astronaut, meet with an engineer, and hear about experiences in zero-gravity orbit and reflections gained from orbiting the Earth. Next, go behind the scenes at NASA’s high-tech training facilities. Take a lesson on the physics of flight and aircraft design and maintenance, then try your hand at drawing up a flight plan. See if you have what it takes to pilot an aircraft during a flight simulation at the Lone Star Flight Museum, then try a thrilling ride of a different kind as you test the limits of modern engineering and experience near-zero-gravity at the Kemah Boardwalk. Enjoy freshly caught Gulf seafood and cool off by Galveston Bay. As the program concludes, wrap up your independent project to share with your group and celebrate your time together.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Houston to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and your trip leaders in Washington, D.C., where your journey begins. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Washington, D.C. — 5 days
Begin your program in Washington, D.C. and get to know your group during an in-depth orientation. While in the U.S. capital, explore this historic city, interview local experts, and deepen your understanding about what motivates humans to venture into outer space. Learn about the history of flight and the evolution from airplanes to spacecraft at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, located right on the National Mall. Visit the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, and see groundbreaking aircraft up close including the Enola Gay, the SR-71 Blackbird, and the space shuttle Discovery. Examine the past, present, and future of space exploration in discussions with government officials and historians. Visit monuments in Washington, D.C., and explore the diverse foods and flavors of the city’s restaurant scene.
Shenandoah National Park — 2 days
Take a road trip to Shenandoah National Park for a crash course on the basics of aerodynamics. Then build your own model rockets and launch them from the valley floor of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hike and explore Shenandoah’s unique ecology with a local guide, stargaze away from the city lights, and embark on a guided astronomical journey through the lens of a telescope with a NASA Solar System Ambassador.
Houston — 5 days
Fly to Houston and meet with scientists on the cutting edge of space exploration at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Learn how Mission Control communicates with the International Space Station, speak with local experts, brainstorm what it would really take to colonize Mars, and taste-test food that astronauts take on missions. Have dinner with an astronaut, meet with an engineer, and hear about experiences in zero-gravity orbit and reflections gained from orbiting the Earth. Next, go behind the scenes at NASA’s high-tech training facilities. Take a lesson on the physics of flight and aircraft design and maintenance, then try your hand at drawing up a flight plan. See if you have what it takes to pilot an aircraft during a flight simulation at the Lone Star Flight Museum, then try a thrilling ride of a different kind as you test the limits of modern engineering and experience near-zero-gravity at the Kemah Boardwalk. Enjoy freshly caught Gulf seafood and cool off by Galveston Bay. As the program concludes, wrap up your independent project to share with your group and celebrate your time together.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Houston to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Program Theme
Aerospace & the Race to Mars • During your time in Washington D.C., you can expect to interact with flight experts, astronomers, and volunteers with a passion for planes and space crafts as you learn about the history of flight and the future of aerospace. In Shenandoah, enjoy a break from city life to engage with nature. Spend two nights under the vast starry sky while learning from local park rangers and astronomers. While in Houston, you will participate firsthand in flight simulations and see the astronaut training facilities at the Johnson Space Center. Here you will do phenomenal STEM education activities focused on aerospace technology and space exploration. These hands-on activities will test your skills and understanding of astronauts' work and life in space.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During program orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of aviation of particular interest to you—interview astronomers about their relationship to the night sky, write an in-depth report on the future of space exploration with help from your Expert, or create a presentation on the evolution and updates of aircraft throughout history.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program. You can expect to do plenty of walking around cities and museums, and may also kayak and swim. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Accommodations
Accommodations at each of our stops are comfortable hotels. Leaders reside with students throughout the program.
Meals
We enjoy meals at local restaurants and cafes, and sometimes take picnic lunches to local parks.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Program Theme
Aerospace & the Race to Mars • During your time in Washington D.C., you can expect to interact with flight experts, astronomers, and volunteers with a passion for planes and space crafts as you learn about the history of flight and the future of aerospace. In Shenandoah, enjoy a break from city life to engage with nature. Spend two nights under the vast starry sky while learning from local park rangers and astronomers. While in Houston, you will participate firsthand in flight simulations and see the astronaut training facilities at the Johnson Space Center. Here you will do phenomenal STEM education activities focused on aerospace technology and space exploration. These hands-on activities will test your skills and understanding of astronauts' work and life in space.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During program orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of aviation of particular interest to you—interview astronomers about their relationship to the night sky, write an in-depth report on the future of space exploration with help from your Expert, or create a presentation on the evolution and updates of aircraft throughout history.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program. You can expect to do plenty of walking around cities and museums, and may also kayak and swim. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Accommodations
Accommodations at each of our stops are comfortable hotels. Leaders reside with students throughout the program.
Meals
We enjoy meals at local restaurants and cafes, and sometimes take picnic lunches to local parks.
A Day in the Life: Washington, D.C. & Shenandoah
Due to the dynamic nature of this summer program, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Washington, D.C., & the Shenandoah Valley.
- Morning
8:00am
Make a pancake breakfast with your group at your hotel
10:00am
Head to Udvar Hazy for a demonstration of flight on earth compared to space
11:00am
Get an in-depth look at space artifacts like the Space Shuttle Discovery and a Blackbird SR-7
- Afternoon
1:00pm
Enjoy lunch as a group then begin your drive to Shenandoah National Park
4:00pm
Settle into the park’s lodge accommodations, then have an early dinner
- Evening
7:00pm
Head out on a twilight hike guided by one of the National Park guides
8:00pm
Meet up with a NASA solar system Ambassador for a stargazing session
10:00pm
Group meeting to reflect and discuss the next day’s plan
A Day in the Life:
Washington, D.C. & Shenandoah
Due to the dynamic nature of this summer program, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Washington, D.C., & the Shenandoah Valley.
- Morning
8:00am
Make a pancake breakfast with your group at your hotel
10:00am
Head to Udvar Hazy for a demonstration of flight on earth compared to space
11:00am
Get an in-depth look at space artifacts like the Space Shuttle Discovery and a Blackbird SR-7
- Afternoon
1:00pm
Enjoy lunch as a group then begin your drive to Shenandoah National Park
4:00pm
Settle into the park’s lodge accommodations, then have an early dinner
- Evening
7:00pm
Head out on a twilight hike guided by one of the National Park guides
8:00pm
Meet up with a NASA solar system Ambassador for a stargazing session
10:00pm
Group meeting to reflect and discuss the next day’s plan
“I was able to gain so much knowledge about the history of aerospace engineering and which made me excited to get involved in this field again.”
—Takaaki Y., Avon Old Farms School, Tokyo, Japan
Program Directed by
Devon Swinburne
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
