Pupils from Sidmouth school to experiment with ‘rocket seeds’ returned from space
International Space Station - Credit: Archant
Green-fingered youngsters at St John’s International School are joining an out-of-this-world experiment into the effect of microgravity on seeds.
The 2kg payload of ‘rocket seeds’ was flown to the International Space Station (ISS) in September and it is set to return to earth next month.
The Sidmouth school is one of 10,000 being sent 100 seeds in the joint project by the Royal Horticultural Society Campaign for School Gardening and the UK Space Agency.
It is aimed at getting the youngsters to think about how human life could be preserved on another planet, what astronauts need to survive long-term missions in space and the difficulties surrounding growing fresh food in challenging climates.
Over seven weeks, the pupils will grow the seeds alongside others that have not been to space and measure the differences between them.
You may also want to watch:
They will not know which are which until the results have been collected by professional biostatisticians.
Year six teacher Kat Underwood said: “We are very excited to be taking part in Rocket Science.
Most Read
- 1 Escot springs out of lockdown and they're wild about opening again
- 2 Veterans called to muster in tribute to Prince Philip
- 3 Around the sitting room in 80 days with the amazing Diana, 98
- 4 Stableford jewel for Sidmouth member
- 5 Rewarding first night back For Sidmouth Running Club
- 6 It's our time to share our fortune and 'do our bit' as we start to re-open
- 7 Young Vikings enjoy victory on the main pitch
- 8 There will be sunshine after the rain as the town re-opens
- 9 Dreams and nightmares at the Grand National
- 10 Hayman's Butchers 'had been my life' - Stewart Hayman
“This experiment is a fantastic way of teaching our pupils to think more scientifically and share their findings with the whole community.”
Rocket Science is one of many projects to celebrate British astronaut Tim Peake’s mission to the ISS.