Whitnash pupils have an out of this world night under the stars

The budding astronomers and space scientists from Briar Hill School in Whitnash have attended the second annual Space Camp pitched for the Year 2 children.

Pupils have taken part in various space-related activities culminating in spending the night in their school hall in tents, all supervised by staff.

The children, aged 6 and 7, studied the Rosetta Space probe and then designed their own version.

To investigate the solar system, the pupils looked at all the planets and their relative sizes to the Sun using a large exercise ball to represent the star down to a grapes and smaller everyday objects to represent the planets.

After which pupils got to send a postcard home from a planet of their choice moving outside to use a large telescope and binoculars to stargaze.

Before zipping up their sleeping bags and tents the pupils had a hot chocolate and some more virtual stargazing, using an iPad.

The star-struck youngsters were woken early for breakfast and turned their eyes heavenward to check on the planets and moon.

Mrs Sharon Byrne, Head of School, said: “It is such a fun afternoon and evening for both children and staff - parents are invited to an assembly where the children show them what they have been doing.”