Cameron Taylor from Rothienorman, an S6 pupil at Meldrum Academy, has won a place at the prestigious Careers Scotland Space School and is one of 26 pupils chosen from 3,000 involved in the programme who will attend a packed programme events based at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Centre in Houston.
While there Cameron will have the opportunity to meet astronauts, engineers and scientists who work for NASA.
Cameron began working towards the Space School programme in June 2006 when he completed an introductory module, involving essay work, physics questions and design work.
He was one of the 300 pupils chosen progress to the next stage. He then had to complete a further six NASA modules comprising further essay work and interactive workshops, including a one day Team Building exercise in Dundee. The final selection criteria included "quality of work, enthusiasm and commitment and potential for personal growth and development". In October last year, Cameron was delighted to discover he was one of the 26 pupils chosen to attend the Space School.
When he arrives in Houston, Cameron will enjoy a fascinating programme of events lined up in and around the famous Johnson Space Centre.
Amongst the many highlights, he will meet Eugene Kranz, the retired NASA Flight Director who was responsible for the Gemini and Apollo missions, and who is best remembered for his involvement in saving the lives of the Apollo 13 astronauts.
Cameron will also meet Deputy Director of Johnson Space Centre, Bob Cabana, who is a veteran of four space shuttle flights and astronaut Sunita Williams who holds the record for the longest space flight by a female astronaut and who has also completed more space walks than any other female in space.
Talking about the trip, Cameron told the Herald that there was no one particular event he was looking forward to but intended to enjoy "the whole thing". While there he will also have an opportunity to take part in various projects including constructing a lunar rover, rocket design, a lunar lander and constructing a working rocket.
Also included will be a visit to the historic Mission Control that was used during the Apollo Space Flights and the first Moon landing.
There will also be a busy schedule of social events on offer and as a Scottish pupil Cameron is looking forward to the challenge football match between Scotland and the NASA Young Engineers.
While there, the party will also receive advice on careers and the transition from school to college and university. Cameron is hoping to pursue Chemical Engineering at either Strathclyde or Edinburgh University after he completes his sixth year at Meldrum.
He has no definite career plans yet but hopes that a degree would enable him to work either in the oil and gas industry in Aberdeen or open up the prospects to a wider range of career options out with Aberdeenshire.
Commenting on the trip, Alex Blackwood, Head of Key Labour Market Sectors for Careers Scotland said: "This is an exciting trip of a lifetime for these pupils and is intended to inspire and motivate them to consider careers in science and technology."
Next month Careers Scotland hosts the Association of Space Explorers in Edinburgh. During the weeklong event, teams of astronauts and cosmonauts will visit schools in every local authority area to discuss their experiences.
Anyone wishing to find out more about the Careers Scotland Space School can do so by visiting www.careers-scotland.org.uk/spaceschool.