Copernicus Olympiad — Global Round Program

Natural Science, Physics & Astronomy • Houston, Texas • January 21–26, 2026

6 Days / 5 Nights Hilton Houston North Rice University Exam NASA Tour Awards Ceremony

Note: The Copernicus Olympiad reserves the right to modify the program as necessary based on weather conditions and any other unforeseen circumstances.
Exact time will be shared daily.

D1
Airport Pick Up • Check-in • Registration
Arrival day + welcome activities
Jan 21
  • Airport: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
  • Hotel shuttle: Terminal A (115) and Terminal C (105), every 30 minutes, 5:00 AM – 11:30 PM
  • Hotel check-in: starts at 4:00 PM
  • Games at the hotel: available during the day
  • Registration: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Hilton Houston North)
  • Making new friends activity: 6:30 PM
  • Pizza time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Partner & Supervisor meeting (Coffee & Tea): 9:00 PM
Hotel: Hilton Houston North • 12400 Greenspoint Dr, Houston, TX 77060
D2
Opening Ceremony • Study Session • Talent Show
Main program begins
Jan 22
  • Breakfast: 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
  • Opening Ceremony: 09:00 AM — Hilton Houston North (Donatello Ballroom)
  • Lunch break (free time at hotel): Lunch not included; participants may order delivery (e.g., Uber Eats) or explore nearby options
  • Study Session: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (at Hilton)
  • Gift Exchange & Dinner: 6:00 PM
  • Talent Show: (at Hilton)
D3
Exam at Rice • Campus Walk • Museum
Academic day + Houston Museum of Natural Science
Jan 23
  • Breakfast: 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM
  • Bus departure to Rice University: 8:00 AM
  • Exam at Rice University: 9:00 AM – Grand Ballroom (6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005)
  • Walk at Rice University: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Lunch (free time): (not included);
  • Hermann Park: scenic walk connecting Rice University to the museum
  • Houston Museum of Natural Science: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Food Truck Dinner: Hotel parking lot, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    • Bus 01: 6:00 PM • Bus 02: 6:30 PM • Bus 03: 7:00 PM • Bus 04: 7:30 PM
D4
NASA Tour • The Galleria
Space day + shopping
Jan 24
  • Breakfast: 7:00 – 8:30 (Breakfast time as listed in the official program)
  • NASA Tour: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Lunch at NASA: not included; participants purchase lunch on-site
  • The Galleria: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Dinner (included): buses will make strategic restaurant stops on the way back to the hotel
D5
Appeal Session • Woodland Mall • Awards Ceremony
Final activities + awards night
Jan 25
  • Breakfast: 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
  • Appeal Session: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Woodland Mall: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Lunch at the mall: not included; participants purchase their meal
  • Awards Ceremony & Dinner: 7:00 PM (at Hilton) — dinner served during the ceremony
D6
Farewell Breakfast • Check-out • Airport Drop-off
Departure day
Jan 26
  • Farewell Breakfast: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM (at Hilton)
  • Check-out: by 12:00 PM (luggage storage available at front desk if needed)
  • Airport drop-off: transportation departs from the hotel every 30 minutes

Source: Official Global Round Program (Natural Science and Physics & Astronomy). :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}