It’s understood the pupils and five supervisors were moved from their coastal hotel to another in Houston last night in a mandatory evacuation.

Katherine’s family and the school have been kept informed of latest developments.

Katherine, known as Katie, is scheduled to return to the UK on Monday.

Danny Logue, director of careers at Skills Development Scotland, said, “As Hurricane Ike is approaching the Texan coast we have relocated the students and their supervisors to an inland location.

“We are keeping a close eye on the situation and ensuring that family members are being regularly updated.

“We have obviously considered flying the party home early — but at the present time because of the imminent arrival of Hurricane Ike and the current demands on flight services from Houston this does not look likely.”

He said the students had taken the evacuation “very much in their stride”.

“They have had a great time at the camp so far,” he said.

The pupils were chosen from 3000 youngsters involved in a programme encouraging students to take up careers in science, engineering and technology. The Space School programme, in its seventh year, includes a tour of the NASA centre, lectures and assignments.