SCHOOL children are to become space biologists by embarking on a voyage of discovery by growing seeds which have come from space.

Thousands of UK schools, including Lostock Gralam Primary School, are to take part in a live science experiment to contribute to knowledge of growing plants in space.

After participating in a classroom experiment in May and June, pupils will be asked to enter their results in a microsite so results from schools can be collated and analysed by professional biostatisticians.

In September 2kg of rocket seeds were flown to the International Space Station (ISS) on Soyuz 44S, where they spent several months in microgravity before returning to Earth in March.

The seeds were sent into space as part of Rocket Science, an educational project launched by the RHS Campaign for School Gardening and the UK Space Agency.

Lostock Gralam Primary School is one of 10,000 schools which have received a packet of 100 seeds from space, which they will grow alongside seeds which haven’t been to space, and measure the differences over seven weeks.

The Rocket Seed Experiment Team won’t know which seed packet contains which seeds until all results have been collected by the Campaign for School Gardening and analysed by biostatisticians.

“The out-of-this-world, nationwide science experiment will enable our pupils to think more about how we could preserve human life on another planet in the future, what astronauts need to survive long-term missions in space and the difficulties surrounding growing fresh food in challenging climates,” said Angela Brennan, teaching assistant and the school’s Gardening/Eco Club co-ordinator.

“We have a new team in our school preparing to become space biologists and embark on a voyage of discovery by growing seeds which have been into space.

“This experiment is a fantastic way of teaching our children to think more scientifically and share their findings with the whole school.

“We are very excited to be taking part in Rocket Science. B&Q have kindly provided some plastic drip trays, a watering can and compost to help our experiment, and we’re looking forward to seeing the progress over the coming weeks.”