The pupils will tour two space centres

The group of 11 teenagers from six schools are jetting off for their prize from the Science in Space 2003 competition run by the International Space School Educational Trust (Isset).

The winning teams from Cardiff, Flintshire, Swansea and Llangollen will spend two weeks visiting the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida and the Johnson Space Centre in Houston.

During the trip they will witness the Delta Rocket Launch and meet some of the people behind with the Challenger Shuttle project.

They will also take part in a number of other activities and site visits including a tour of Cape Canaveral.

The teenagers were selected for the trip after impressing judges from NASA with their use of computer technology to prove a scientific process.

Winning schools St Richard Gwyn School, Flintshire Llanrumney High School, Cardiff Whitchurch High School, Cardiff Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr, Swansea Birchgrove Comprehensive School, Swansea Ysgol Dinas Bran, Llangollen

The entries were examined for the quality of research and the use of technology and presentation.

They will also take part in a number of other activities and site visits.

Whitchurch High School pupil Julia McIlquham,17, said she is fascinated with science.

"I'd love to go into space," she said.

"You'd be able to see the earth from a different angle.

"The whole science aspect of the trip is going to be great plus the chance to go to America."

Her friend and fellow pupil Carolyn Dugon said it is a fantastic opportunity.

"It's so exciting - we're having lunch with the astronauts on Monday," she said.

The competition has been running in Wales since 1999, organised by Isset director Chris Barber and supported by the Wales Information Society (WIS) at the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) and Cardiff and Swansea LEA.

"The winners will have the experience of a lifetime as they experience first-hand, the work carried out by astronauts, rocket and space scientists at the home of the world's largest human space programme," said Mr Barber.

Two of the students - Carolyn Dugon and Julia McIlquham from Whitchurch High School in Cardiff - will be sending a report to BBC News Online about the trip.