Residential - 11th - 16th July 2027
11-16 July 2027
In-person Program
Mission Discovery Summer School
by ISSET
A hands-on STEM summer school where students design a space experiment in teams, learn from NASA and university experts, and present to judges.
Last verified: 10 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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Mission Discovery Summer School at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
International students
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-18
Location / Region
King's College London, London, United Kingdom
Cost
£719.10; £1,799.99
Duration
5 days
Format
In-person
ScienceSpace & physics
Language: English
Accommodation: Optional university halls
Meals: Residential breakfast and dinner
Certificate: Astronaut and professor signed
Schedule: Five days, 6.5-7 hours daily
Mentor model: Expert mentor for each team
Mission Discovery Summer School summary
Mission Discovery is a hands-on space and STEM summer school led by NASA and university contributors.
Students join a mentor-supported team, design a microgravity experiment, manage its planning and budget, and pitch the idea to judges.
It suits students who learn best through collaborative projects and want practical exposure to scientific research, leadership, and public speaking.
What is Mission Discovery Summer School?
Mission Discovery Summer School is an ISSET space and STEM experience centered on designing an experiment that could operate in microgravity. Students work with NASA, King's College London, and industry contributors while learning about science, teamwork, leadership, planning, and communication.
Each student joins a team with an assigned mentor and develops an experiment from the initial brief through budgeting, design, and presentation. The week ends with teams pitching to judges, who select the best experiment for potential construction and launch to space.
Why Succeed highlights Mission Discovery Summer School
Students tackle a concrete scientific design brief rather than only attending lectures.
NASA and King's College London contributors connect space science with real academic and professional perspectives.
An assigned mentor supports each team throughout the experiment-design process.
The published itinerary combines research, budgeting, teamwork, leadership, and public speaking.
Every participant receives a signed completion certificate, while one experiment may progress to construction and launch.
Who is Mission Discovery Summer School for?
Best for
Curious students who enjoy collaborative STEM projects, space exploration, practical problem-solving, and presenting ideas.
Not ideal if
You prefer independent study, want a subject-specific academic course, or would find a full-day team schedule uncomfortable.
Is Mission Discovery Summer School worth it?
Mission Discovery can be worthwhile for a student who values hands-on teamwork, direct interaction with space professionals, and a defined project to discuss in later applications. The structured five-day journey produces clearer evidence of engagement than passive attendance alone.
The main limitation is value for money: the fee is substantial, and only one team receives the conditional experiment-launch outcome. Families should judge the program primarily by its teaching, mentoring, project experience, and certificate rather than assuming selection for launch.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
£719.10; £1,799.99; includes Five days of teaching and project work, Assigned team mentor, NASA and university expert sessions, Team experiment design and judging presentation, Mission Discovery signed certificate, Residential ensuite accommodation, Residential breakfast and dinner, Residential supervision and escorted campus travel.
Accommodation
Optional university halls
Meals
Residential breakfast and dinner
Supervision or safety information
It includes an ensuite bedroom in King's College London halls, breakfast, dinner, 24-hour supervision, escorted campus travel, and opportunities to explore London.
Provider details
Review the ISSET provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
5 days; King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Mission Discovery Summer School need?
Effort level
High-intensity, full-day team program.
Best started
Begin travel, payment, and residential planning six to eight weeks before the July session.
Main challenge
Turning a creative idea into a feasible, persuasive experiment proposal.
Typical preparation
Review basic ideas about microgravity and experimental variables. Practice explaining a scientific idea in a short presentation. Think about how you divide tasks and resolve disagreements in a team. Residential students should also plan travel and personal requirements well before arrival.
Useful if
You are ready to contribute consistently to a team.
What do students do on Mission Discovery Summer School?
Students move through a five-day team project, from leadership exercises and the initial design brief to experiment development and a final presentation.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Join a team and complete NASA-themed leadership and team-building activities.
- 2
Receive the space-experiment design brief and develop initial ideas.
- 3
Plan the budget and refine how the experiment would work in microgravity.
- 4
Finalize the experiment and prepare a clear public presentation.
- 5
Present the idea to judges and attend the certificate and awards ceremony.
Mission Discovery Summer School dates and deadlines
Upcoming
Day Only - 12th - 16th July 2027
12-16 July 2027
Early bird deadline
30 September 2026
Deadline for the published 10% booking discount.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Residential - 11th - 16th July 2027 | 11-16 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Day Only - 12th - 16th July 2027 | 12-16 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Early bird deadline | 30 September 2026 | Local | Past |
Eligibility and requirements
Aged 14-18 when registering
Open to international students
Individual registration permitted
Each participant pays separately
Experiment entries must be in English
How much does Mission Discovery Summer School cost?
Day-only fee
£719.10 — Published discounted price for the day option.
Funding or discounts
- Residential fee: £1,799.99 — Published discounted residential price.
What's included
Five days of teaching and project work, Assigned team mentor, NASA and university expert sessions, Team experiment design and judging presentation, Mission Discovery signed certificate, Residential ensuite accommodation, Residential breakfast and dinner, Residential supervision and escorted campus travel
How to apply to Mission Discovery Summer School
- 1
Choose the day-only or residential attendance option.
- 2
Open the official Mission Discovery booking checkout.
- 3
Select the required option and quantity for each participant.
- 4
Complete a separate registration and payment for each student.
- 5
Share any friend-grouping request so ISSET can consider it when forming teams.
Next step with Succeed
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What does Mission Discovery Summer School cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Leadership and teamwork
Students build an effective team through astronaut-inspired leadership activities.
Experiment ideation
Teams interpret a design brief and generate ideas for a space experiment.
Microgravity design
Students refine how their proposed experiment would function in microgravity.
Planning and budgeting
Teams test feasibility by planning the project and working through its budget.
Scientific communication
Students prepare and deliver their experiment proposal to a judging panel.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Mission Discovery Summer School?
A typical day during the program.
Monday
NASA team building and leadership activities establish the working teams.
Tuesday Wednesday
Teams receive the brief, develop ideas, plan budgets, and design their experiments.
Thursday
Students finalize experiments and complete a public-speaking seminar.
Friday
Teams present to judges before the winner announcement and closing ceremony.
Who teaches on Mission Discovery Summer School?
The published host team includes NASA astronaut and geologist Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, NASA senior leader Sarah Murray, and King's College London academics Professor Steve Harridge and Dr Julie Keeble. Each student team also receives its own Mission Discovery mentor throughout the project.
The named host lineup also includes ISSET founder Chris Barber and lecturer and former Manchester United academy physiotherapist Diane Ryding.
Where do students stay on Mission Discovery Summer School?
Residential plan
- University halls: Students stay in King's College London halls near the program venue.
- Private ensuite room: Each residential student has an ensuite bedroom and access to a private kitchen.
- Meals and London activities: Breakfast, restaurant dinners, and opportunities to explore London are described.
- Supervision and escorts: Students receive 24-hour supervision and escorted travel to and from campus.
Non-residential plan
- Day attendance: Students may attend the five teaching days without residential accommodation.
Residential students are grouped with similar-age peers in single-sex flats.
What happens after Mission Discovery Summer School?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Use the completed experiment project as evidence of STEM engagement.
Add the signed completion certificate to an achievement portfolio.
Reflect on teamwork, leadership, budgeting, and presentation development.
Explore further study in space science, experimental research, or related STEM fields.
For the selected team, progress toward experiment construction and a potential space launch.
Experiment construction and launch apply only to the selected proposal.
Where does Mission Discovery Summer School take place?
The program is held at King's College London, giving students a university setting for the five instructional days. Residential students stay in King's College London halls a short walk from the program venue and are escorted between accommodation and campus.
The residential option also describes organized opportunities to explore London sights and dine at local chain restaurants.
Mission Discovery Summer School FAQs
Students work in teams to design a microgravity experiment. The process covers leadership, ideation, budgeting, planning, experiment design, public speaking, and a final presentation to judges.
Yes. Most students register individually and are assigned to a team on the first day. Friends may ask to be placed together.
Each team receives a Mission Discovery mentor. The wider host group includes NASA professionals, King's College London academics, space scientists, professors, and industry contributors.
Monday runs from 09:30 to 16:00, Tuesday through Thursday from 09:00 to 16:00, and Friday from 09:00 to 15:30.
It includes an ensuite bedroom in King's College London halls, breakfast, dinner, 24-hour supervision, escorted campus travel, and opportunities to explore London.
Yes. Participants receive a Mission Discovery completion certificate signed by a NASA astronaut and King's College London professors.
No. Teams compete through their final presentations, and the best experiment is selected for construction and a potential launch to space.
Yes. ISSET states that students may attend multiple Mission Discovery programs.
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Sean Stevens
Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)
Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Mission Discovery Summer School - London 2027
- Terms of service – ISSET
- Refund policy – ISSET
- Mission Discovery - A Space & STEM Summer School at King's College London 2027 – ISSET
- FAQs – ISSET
- Mission Discovery Space & STEM Summer School – ISSET
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
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Mission Discovery Summer School
by ISSET
Upcoming
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