Stars & STEM
Stars & STEM is a daytime, evening or overnight immersive STEM program designed for students who want to experience the wonders of space exploration through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
We provide engaging, hands-on activities developed to match grade level standards so students are challenged, inspired and eager to explore STEM concepts.
Stars & STEM forms
- Stars & STEM daytime registration form
- Stars & STEM evening registration form
- Stars & STEM overnight registration form
- T-Shirt Order Form
- Stars & STEM Fact Sheet
- Medical Release Form
Program enhancement options
Tours and experiences
T-Shirt
Stars & STEM T-shirts come in adult sizes (small, medium, large, X-large, XX-large). All sizes are $15. After you register for your visit, you will be sent an order form with your initial confirmation or you can download the form here (pdf). The T-shirt form can be mailed or you can bring the form the night of your Stars & STEM reservation. Payment may be a school check, credit card or cash. You will receive your shirts during the Stars & STEM event.
Patches
Patches are $7 and can only be purchased the night of the event with cash or credit card. Patches will be made available for purchase only during the evening of the event.
Meals
Group meal plans are available as an option for second-day visits.
Area hotels
Contact us
If you have more questions about the program, contact our education coordinator at campins@spacecenter.org or call +1 281-244-2131.
Frequently asked questions about Stars & STEM
Yes, all students, teachers and chaperones must pay before entering the building. Each paid adult and child will receive an admission ticket for the evening and a ticket for the second day for the following morning. Bus drivers may obtain an event ticket at the adult rate or a second-day ticket (valid only the second day of visit) for $12.95.
Space Center Houston accepts school or district checks, credit cards and cash (large bills please). We do not accept personal checks or purchase orders. Please do not mail cash.
The number of students and payment are due six weeks before your Stars & STEM visit. Space Center Houston reserves the right to cancel any reservation if a final payment and signed contract are not received six weeks prior to visit.
Unfortunately, we do not accept pay-on-arrivals. All payments need to be made before your group arrives to ensure that each person has a ticket and a wristband before entering the building the evening of the event.
No refunds will be issued after the payment due date. Food, staff and materials are determined based on the number of students given six weeks before your Stars & STEM visit. For this reason, refunding partial or full payment is not possible.
Yes! Additional students may be added if there is availability. Please remember that payment must be received for any tickets purchased after the final payment has been sent prior to your arrival.
All Stars & STEM programs have an event minimum of 20 people. If an event does not meet the 20-person minimum, it can either be refunded or rescheduled to a later Stars & STEM event date. Stars & STEM evening and overnight programs have a maximum of 250 people. The Stars & STEM daytime program has a maximum of 60 participants, but is subject to space availability. Please note that attendees ages 18 and younger must have a chaperone.
The earlier that you make your reservation, the better chance that you will have of getting the date of your choice.
Stars & STEM is geared toward groups, but any school-aged students are welcome to attend as long as the minimum requirement of 20 students is met. If the minimum participant requirement is not met, the event can either be refunded or reschedule to a later Stars & STEM event date.
Space Center Houston requires at least one (1) adult chaperone for every ten (10) students.
The Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL) is not located at Space Center Houston. Your group will be responsible for providing transportation to and from the NBL. The group must travel together in a bus or van. Personal vehicles are not allowed on the NBL grounds. You will meet your tour guide in the Reservations office at Space Center Houston 30 minutes prior to your confirmed tour time to allow for travel to the facility. Click here to learn more about NBL tours.
Meal tickets need to be redeemed at the Launch Foods counter before 3 p.m. in the Zero-G Diner.
Yes, each participant, student and adult, needs to complete a Space Center Houston medical form that can be downloaded from the Stars & STEM webpage. The lead chaperone of the group needs to have these forms on their person during the entire Stars & STEM event.
The tram tour, which takes you to NASA Johnson Space Center, takes 60 to 90 minutes. Time spent inside Space Center Houston depends on whether your group views any large-screen films or live shows. Three to five hours is usually sufficient, however, we invite you to stay as long as you like!
On the evening of your event, larger groups will be broken into groups with no more than 30 students. These groups will each have an instructor to guide them through their activities that evening after dinner. The tram tour is the only part of your second day that will be guided. Touring inside the center is completely self-guided.
The exhibits and gift shops will be available only when you use your second day ticket. The Stars & STEM program will keep you busy with hands-on activities throughout your evening.
Groups that purchase a Stars & STEM overnight will spend the night in the center. Daytime and evening Stars & STEM participants that need a hotel should make their own arrangements.
What to bring?
- Back packs, duffle bags or small roller suitcases “carry-on” size luggage is ideal.
- Sleeping bag and sleeping pad (sleeping pad goes under your sleeping bag) Sleeping pads are highly recommended as we do not allow air mattresses and the floor is carpeted, but still hard.
- Pillows and extra blankets as the air conditioning does get cold, even in summer, so it is always a good idea to bring an extra blanket.
- Basic toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and hair brushes are ideal and wet wipes are a great way to freshen up since we do not have showers.
- Pajamas.
- Clothing should be comfortable. Casual clothes and good walking shoes are recommended. Remember to bring a jacket or sweater no matter what time of year you are coming.
- Charging banks are a great idea and allow you to charge your device without an outlet. There are some outlets available in the sleeping area as well as charging stations around the center but you are not guaranteed a sleeping location near an outlet.
- Money for gift shop.
- Food/snacks if you have food allergies or are unable to partake in the provided meals, you may bring your own. However, NO food or drinks can be consumed in sleeping areas.
- Medical forms for every scout and adult are required to be brought to the Overnight Program. The adult chaperone should have them readily available if needed for an emergency.
- Air mattresses and cots, the only exception to this rule is if you or someone in your party has a medical condition. If you did not already request to bring one in the comments section of your registration, please email Reservations or the Program Coordinator.
- Glow sticks (flash lights and phone lights are ok)
- Electrical hair appliances (blow dryers, straighteners, curling irons etc.)
- Only registered scouts and their leaders/chaperones attend the Overnight Program. Chaperones are not permitted to bring any children who are not registered or who do not meet the designated age level or gender requirements for the Overnight Program. Adding Additional Scouts or Adults to Your Reservation? If you need to add more scouts or adults to your reservation, please call Reservations at +1 281-283-4755.
- If you have a medical condition that does not allow you to sleep on the floor and you need to bring an air mattress or cot, please let us know as soon as possible before the camp so that we can accommodate you.
- If you need to bring a CPAP machine, let us know so that we can place you near an outlet.
- If you have any allergies to food, you can view the current menu and list of ingredients that will be offered during the Overnight Program, on our website at any time. If you need to bring your own food, you may do so.
- Our Instructors and staff will not administer any medication to anyone. If a child is bringing prescription medicine that needs to be taken during the event, then either their parent/guardian or adult chaperone must administer it to them.
- We do have a first aid kit with very basic supplies for minor injuries or illnesses. The Security department also has a fully equipped first aid kit.
- The troop/pack leader needs to have all of the medical forms for every student and parent readily available in case of an emergency.
- Cancellations to your reservations may be made up until 6 weeks before the date of your event.
- Refunds will only be given up until 6 weeks before the date of your event.
- If your camp is less than 6 weeks away and you are not able to attend, you can reschedule individuals or your entire group and apply your ticket(s) to another Stars & STEM event.
- If Space Center Houston cancels your camp due to bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, we will either refund you or you can apply your tickets to another Stars & STEM date.
- Rescheduling your event date can be done by calling Reservations at +1 281-283-4755. Please note that all dates are subject to availability.
What NOT to bring? Please keep in mind that you will be sleeping with other troops and packs and we ask that you show the same courtesy and respect to them that you would like them to show you. Think of it as an indoor-camping trip and the camp site, just like in the forest, has a few rules so that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time.
Medical Conditions
First Aid
Cancellation and Refund Policies
Yes! Safety is Space Center Houston’s number one concern. Security personnel are at each camp-in round-the-clock, as well as patrolling the outside area.
Space Center Houston houses a first aid station that is available during the day. For the overnight, each group is responsible for a First Aid Responder being present. Space Center Houston Camp Staff has access to a basic first aid kit for your use.
Space Center Houston’s policy requires that all campers be under the direct supervision of an adult leader at all times. The counselors really need your help with: maintaining discipline/attention, staying with your team, upbeat attitude (campers mirror you), helping the campers with some activities. Leaders must have all of the participants’ (campers and adults) medical forms readily available in case of an emergency.
About as much sleep as you would get from a slumber party with 350 people. Sleep time is about 8 hours. Lights out ranges from 10:30-11:30 p.m. depending on the camper/scout level evening.