USA STEAM School Trip
Think Outside The Classroom
Science and innovation converge in one of the most dynamic countries in the world. On our USA STEAM trip, students encounter robots at MIT, explore twentieth-century aerospace technology, dive into ocean ecosystems at the New England Aquarium, or walk among the skyscrapers that redefined modern engineering. Computing, science, engineering, and maths take on real, practical meaning when the classroom becomes the world itself.Our highly flexible educational trips are designed by experts in close collaboration with teachers to ensure learning objectives, group needs, and budgets are met. Our programmes balance purposeful learning with time to explore the city together, and can include complementary experiences that highlight the intersections of STEAM areas with history and culture. Most importantly, learning while having fun is guaranteed!
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Example Itineraries for our 2026 & 2027 trips
Example activities for our 2026 trips
Visit to the MIT Museum and Campus (Boston)
Students explore robotics, AI, kinetic art, and engineering prototypes at the MIT Museum. Through interactive exhibits, they engage with real-world applications of programming, automation, and mechanical systems, understanding how theoretical concepts are translated into innovation. Students have the opportunity to participate in an interactive workshop on physics and space at the Museum before discovering more about the research undertaken at MIT.
A guided visit around MIT campus allows students to explore how interdisciplinary work drives advances in robotics, data science, bioengineering, and sustainable technologies, connecting classroom STEAM knowledge to technological challenges.
Intrepid Museum (New York)
At the Intrepid Museum, students learn about twentieth-century aerospace engineering and examine the design and mechanics behind military aviation and naval engineering systems. At the Space Shuttle Pavilion, they learn about propulsion systems, aerodynamics, and the evolution of space technology. Optional extras include flight simulators and workshops - there is a lot to do here.
Science Museum (Boston)
At the Science Museum, students engage with core principles of physics, chemistry, and engineering. Hands-on experimentation encourages problem-solving and systems thinking! Our favourite is the IMAX showing of Cities of the Future...
New England Aquarium (Boston)
At the aquarium, students learn about marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. They explore how data collection, modelling, and monitoring support marine conservation.
Museum of Mathematics (New York)
Take part in an interactive workshop at the National Museum of Mathematics. Through hands-on challenges, puzzles, and real-world problem-solving activities, students explore mathematical concepts such as patterns, geometry, probability, and logical reasoning in creative ways.
Other activities may include:
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island visit
Central Park walking tour
Boston Harbour Cruise
Times Square & Broadway experience
Freedom Trail walking tour
Theatrical workshop - learn how to stage fight with swords!
Wall Street Tour and trading experience
Chinatown exploration (NYC or Boston)
Quincy Market & Faneuil Hall visit
Harvard University campus tour
Ice skating at Boston Common Frog Pond (seasonal)
Empire State Building observation deck
American Museum of Natural History
Top of the Rock or One World Observatory
NBA or NHL live game experience (seasonal)
Theme park visit (seasonal options available)
Shopping experience at CambridgeSide or Fifth Avenue
Interactive workshops: Take part in hands-on sessions such as theatre and stage combat workshops, film and media production experiences or innovation and entrepreneurship sessions inspired by Boston's start-up ecosystem.
Visit to the MIT Museum and Campus (Boston)
Students explore robotics, AI, kinetic art, and engineering prototypes at the MIT Museum. Through interactive exhibits, they engage with real-world applications of programming, automation, and mechanical systems, understanding how theoretical concepts are translated into innovation. Students have the opportunity to participate in an interactive workshop on physics and space at the Museum before discovering more about the research undertaken at MIT.
A guided visit around MIT campus allows students to explore how interdisciplinary work drives advances in robotics, data science, bioengineering, and sustainable technologies, connecting classroom STEAM knowledge to technological challenges.
Intrepid Museum (New York)
At the Intrepid Museum, students learn about twentieth-century aerospace engineering and examine the design and mechanics behind military aviation and naval engineering systems. At the Space Shuttle Pavilion, they learn about propulsion systems, aerodynamics, and the evolution of space technology. Optional extras include flight simulators and workshops - there is a lot to do here.
Science Museum (Boston)
At the Science Museum, students engage with core principles of physics, chemistry, and engineering. Hands-on experimentation encourages problem-solving and systems thinking! Our favourite is the IMAX showing of Cities of the Future...
New England Aquarium (Boston)
At the aquarium, students learn about marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. They explore how data collection, modelling, and monitoring support marine conservation.
Museum of Mathematics (New York)
Take part in an interactive workshop at the National Museum of Mathematics. Through hands-on challenges, puzzles, and real-world problem-solving activities, students explore mathematical concepts such as patterns, geometry, probability, and logical reasoning in creative ways.
Other activities may include:
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island visit
Central Park walking tour
Boston Harbour Cruise
Times Square & Broadway experience
Freedom Trail walking tour
Theatrical workshop - learn how to stage fight with swords!
Wall Street Tour and trading experience
Chinatown exploration (NYC or Boston)
Quincy Market & Faneuil Hall visit
Harvard University campus tour
Ice skating at Boston Common Frog Pond (seasonal)
Empire State Building observation deck
American Museum of Natural History
Top of the Rock or One World Observatory
NBA or NHL live game experience (seasonal)
Theme park visit (seasonal options available)
Shopping experience at CambridgeSide or Fifth Avenue
Interactive workshops: Take part in hands-on sessions such as theatre and stage combat workshops, film and media production experiences or innovation and entrepreneurship sessions inspired by Boston's start-up ecosystem.
Which Curriculum Subjects do we cater for?
Maths
Alongside observing applied maths in other fields, students can also explore the National Museum of Mathematics in New York for a uniquely inspiring look at numbers. Many of the engineering principles explored on the tour also involve numbers, and students can investigate mathematical modelling in everything from aircraft and spacecraft design to skyscraper engineering and stress testing.
Science
Applied Physics and Aerospace Systems
At the Intrepid Museum, students analyse aerodynamics, propulsion systems, and materials science through real aircraft and space technology. At MIT, physics themed workshops are available to inspire students in the field.
Environmental and Marine Science
At the New England Aquarium, students investigate ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainability challenges, applying scientific observation and critical analysis.
Design Technology
Engineering Design Process in Practice
Across museums and innovation spaces, students observe how prototypes move from concept to implementation, analysing user-centred design, testing cycles, and material selection. A highlight is the 'Designing for Flight' workshop experience at the Intrepid Museum.
Computing
Robotics and AI
Students can explore automation, machine learning principles, and algorithmic thinking, interacting within the MIT Museum. They observe how programming logic and hardware integration create responsive robotic systems. Opportunities abound for hands-on workshops, including programming and robot-building workshops in Boston.
Engineering
Engineering in Practice
At the Intrepid Museum, students can learn about engineering for flight, space, and sea with a hands-on workshop. Simply observing the New York skyline with skyscrapers and bridges raises questions, and students can learn about how the city has been engineered to resist extreme weather.
What size groups do we cater for?
We can welcome groups of any size, though larger groups may need to be divided into smaller groups for some of the planned activities.
We generally offer one free teacher place per 10 students, but we can work to your supervision ratios should you need.
We generally offer one free teacher place per 10 students, but we can work to your supervision ratios should you need.
Access for visitors with disabilities?
The majority of the planned activities are suitable for students with disabilities, though some changes to the planned itinerary may be needed depending on the nature of the disability.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
We welcome all students on our trips, though please discuss any specific needs when enquiring about the trip so we can work with you to design an appropriate itinerary.
Anything else?
All our trips are fully adaptable. We can create shorter itineraries or tailor programmes with a blended focus, combining learning in computer science, robotics, innovation, AI, and engineering with sightseeing or experiences linked to other disciplines such as history, arts, and geography.
Whatever your budget, we'll work with you to create a trip that fits. For example, some of the activities can be replaced with cheaper options, costs can be saved by using public transport instead of a private coach, and students can be accommodated in hostels instead of hotel rooms to maximise the value for money on a US trip.
Whatever your budget, we'll work with you to create a trip that fits. For example, some of the activities can be replaced with cheaper options, costs can be saved by using public transport instead of a private coach, and students can be accommodated in hostels instead of hotel rooms to maximise the value for money on a US trip.
Who are Think Outside The Classroom?
Think Outside The Classroom specialises in robotics, STEAM, geography, and scuba diving educational trips. Trips are planned, organised, and often guided by people who are passionate about computer science, technology, artificial intelligence, and robotics. We have carefully selected venues and activities in the itinerary based on relevance to topics in the computer science GCSE and A Level syllabi, and can provide educational resources developed with a qualified teacher of computer science to enrich your students' learning experience. It is also possible to customise further depending on your interests and needs.
We look after all the small details in the USA beyond the activities planned on your itinerary, as the overall experience is very important to us. Whether this be coffee for the teachers on your trip or reacting to changes in the weather with alternative activities, you can relax as we take care of everything. We are ready to support you 24 hours a day when you are in USA with anything that your guide cannot solve for you.
Teacher Checklist
£5m Public Liability Insurance Risk Assessments Free Places for Teachers Resource Packs ATOL Licence Tailor your trip
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