Students of the Alkhobar-based Dunes International School were recently taken on an educational trip to the Kennedy Space Center Orlando, one of NASA’s renowned field launch sites.
The NASA tour, the second one organized by the school, offered an extraordinary and transformative experience to its students. This immersive adventure not only broadened the students’ horizons but also ignited their passion for space exploration.
“Our students enjoyed unlimited access to a three-day robotic program, the space simulator shuttle launch experience, an IMAX film screening, the Rocket Garden and the Space Shuttle Atlantis,” the school said in a press release. “An eagerly anticipated rendezvous with Sam Gemar, an esteemed astronaut, further fueled our students’ curiosity and ambition. The excited students delved into the intricacies of programming and artificial intelligence and participated in track and surface challenges, where they added another feather to their caps by obtaining the highest score among the competitors.”
Besides exploring the space center, Dunes students enjoyed additional treats by indulging in fun and adventure activities at Universal Studios and Disneyland. Next, they had a once-in-a lifetime experience at Niagara Falls, Maid of the Mist, and Niagara National Park. Their hectic schedule with curated events in Washington, DC, included guided tours of the White House, Capitol Hill, the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, plus a memorable concluding experience at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
“We would not have achieved this major milestone without the vision and support of our School Director Amjad Khan, who envisions Dunes as a pioneer institution in the region, harmonizing modern day technologies with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030, thus advocating our school motto — ‘In sync with future.’”
The trip required comprehensive planning and dedication to make it a success. Vice Principal Shahzad Bilal took on the responsibility of guiding and supervising the entire expedition. Supporting him fully were Academic Supervisor Rachna Rastogi and senior science teacher Nasreen Fatima. They ensured the safety, well-being, and enjoyment of each student throughout the trip.
“The school is very grateful to the ITL Team for facilitating and arranging the tour so that it was as smooth as possible,” the management said.
According to the press release, Dunes believes in exploring and excelling in order to keep an edge over others. Besides successfully running and delivering results in the CBSE curriculum for more than a decade, the school is reopening its British curriculum from KG to Grade 6 for the 2023-24 academic year.
Dunes offers state-of-the-art infrastructure, agreeable classroom ambience, a well-equipped auditorium, and a spacious soccer field among other facilities.