Thrussington school pupils to be involved in innovative science quest

The school has been chosen as one of 10,000 to receive a packet of 100 seeds from space, which they will grow alongside seeds that haven’t and measure the differences over seven weeks.

The pupils won’t know which seed packet contains which seeds until all results have been collected by professional biostatisticians.

The out of this world, nationwide science experiment will enable the pupils to think more about the difficulties surrounding growing fresh food in challenging climates, and what astronauts need to survive long term missions in space.

In September, two kilograms of rocket seeds were flown to the International Space Station (ISS) where they have spent several months in microgravity. The seeds are due to return this month and will be given to the school as part of Rocket Science, an educational project launched by the RHS Campaign for School Gardening and the UK Space Agency.

Miss Jo Berry, Thrussington Forest School leader, said: “We are very excited to be taking part in Rocket Science.

“The school hold a gold award in science and this experiment is a fantastic way of teaching our pupils to think more scientifically.

“Recently year three and four had a sleepover at the National Space Centre in Leicester, so this experiment will be a timely project for us all to engage with.

“To bring nature and space together in an experiment the whole school can be a part of would be an incredible opportunity we would relish.”

Rocket Science is just one educational project from a programme developed by the UK Space Agency to celebrate British ESA astronaut Tim Peake’s principal mission to the ISS. It aims to inspire young people to look into careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.

l If your school or educational group wishes to take part in the Rocket Science project they can apply at www.rhs.org.uk