By KLTV Newsdesk –

British space scientist leads immersive lesson to spark students’ interest in future careers

Renowned British space scientist Dame Dr Maggie Aderin has delivered an inspiring, hands-on lesson to students from Thornhill Community Academy as part of The Hyundai Great British School Trip at the National Space Centre in Leicester.

The visit was designed to engage students with the fast-evolving world of space and technology, and forms part of a wider initiative encouraging pupils to explore future careers in science, digital media, and engineering.

A Mission to Educate and Inspire

During the visit, Dame Dr Maggie explored the interactive exhibits alongside pupils and shared her personal journey into the space sector.

She credited school trips in her own childhood as a driving force behind her career choice.

“It’s great to see young people already thinking about future careers in science, tech, and digital media,” she said.

“The challenge is helping them explore these fast-moving fields in meaningful, hands-on ways. That’s why initiatives like The Hyundai Great British School Trip matter. They spark curiosity and open possibilities.

“I’m thrilled we are also bringing this experience to classrooms nationwide, fuelling passions that will shape their futures.”

Dame Dr Maggie also introduced a first-of-its-kind virtual lesson available nationwide for pupils in Years 8 and 9 during National School Trips Week (28 April – 4 May).

Set on Mars, the immersive escape-room-style activity guides students through a space mission using five different space-related career paths, each requiring collaboration, problem-solving, and STEM skills.

Dr Dame Maggie Aderin says school trips are critical for kids’ development at Hyundai’s Great British School Trip event at the National Space Centre for National School Trips Week 28th April-2nd May

Reaching Classrooms Across the Country

The virtual lesson has been created to ensure that even schools unable to travel can take part in the experience.

It complements the wider goals of The Hyundai Great British School Trip, which aims to provide 160,000 pupils with access to educational trips by the end of the academic year.

To date, nearly 150,000 pupils have taken part.

Backed by £3 million in funding, the programme specifically supports children from disadvantaged areas, helping to reduce the inequality in access to real-world learning experiences.

The initiative comes at a time when many schools are struggling to offer trips due to the rising cost of living, leaving parents and headteachers facing difficult decisions.

Maggie watches a rocket science demonstration with pupils, while on the school trip

Addressing a Growing Career Awareness Gap

New research commissioned as part of the programme reveals that four in five parents believe school trips play a key role in shaping their child’s future aspirations.

At the same time, over a quarter say they feel uncertain about the new and rapidly changing career options available to their children.

Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai Motor & Genesis UK, said: “Now in our third year of The Hyundai Great British School Trip, we’ve seen how powerful real-world experiences can be in preparing young people for the future of work.

“Knowing over a quarter of parents would like more guidance on future career paths, and with everything else teachers juggle, it’s more important than ever to give students early exposure to the careers of tomorrow. And who better to inspire them than Dame Dr Maggie Aderin.”

A Chance to Win a Space Centre Trip

Schools participating in the virtual space lesson this week will also have the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Space Centre later this academic year.

The prize will offer students the opportunity to delve deeper into the future of space technology and build on what they’ve learned through the online experience.

For more information about how to get involved, schools can visit the official Hyundai Great British School Trip website.