Space Agency drops in at Croft Primary

Libby Jackson, the agency’s human exploration programme manager, visited Croft Primary in Old Town's two reception classes to talk about the science that astronauts do in space, which the children and are studying this term.

Libby, who worked on Tim Peake’s mission to space, said: “It was fantastic to meet so many enthusiastic children who were keen to learn all about space and it was great to hear about what they have been doing in class.

“Space is such an exciting subject and it’s important we use it to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.”

The pupils, aged four and five, were full of questions about how astronauts sleep, play and, even use the toilet in space.

Five-year-old Rosie Bethell said: “It was really good. She’s not actually an astronaut but she knows Tim Peake.”

Principal Elaine Murphy aid: “Our topic this term in reception is rockets and space, and having visitors from the UK Space Agency will not only engage and excite the children, but also lead to positive outcomes linked to all areas of their development.

“The visit also gifts aspirational learning to the children, inspiring them as to what they could go on to achieve in a STEM career.

"At the Croft, engaging with local corporations, industry, and services allows our children to learn about the wider community and what it can offer us.”

The UK Space Agency, based in Polaris House, is responsible for a range of education and outreach programmes from primary school age up to university.

The agency is also running its SatelLife Competition, now in its third year, which offers young people expert advice and a share of £50,000 for their ideas of how satellites could improve life on Earth. The competition is open to 11-to-22 year olds, and aims to find innovative proposals that have the potential to use data collected from space to benefit the world’s economy, health or the environment.

Entries close on March 3. To enter, visit gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency.