Primary 5 pupils from Downey House in south Belfast, along with 600,00 children from across the UK participated in the Rocket Science Experiment, in partnership with the UK Space Agency.
The aim of the experiment is to enthuse young people about science and horticulture and provide the European Space Agency with key insights into some of the challenges of growing food in space.
Hillmount Garden Centre provided the school with the gardening equipment it needed to take part in the project. All schools involved received one red packet and one blue packet of rocket seeds each containing a minimum of 100 seeds. One pack contained seeds that have travelled to space while the other remained on earth. They are being grown side by side for 35 days but, until the end of the experiment, it remains a secret as to whether the red or blue packed seeds actually travelled with Tim Peake.
Tim has wished the children well with their investigations into the impact of micro-gravity and space travel on seed germination and growth. The results will help to form a clearer picture of the potential for astronauts to grow their own food to sustain them on long-term missions.
Speaking while 400km above the surface of the Earth, Tim said: “This is a really exciting week for the hundreds of thousands of young people across the country who will begin their Rocket Science Experiments. I’d like to wish everyone taking part the best of luck with their investigations and I look forward to seeing some of the results.
“It’s possible that among those pupils taking part in the project are the young people who will help mankind reach the next big milestones in space exploration for the benefit of people on Earth. I hope the RHS Campaign for School Gardening’s Rocket Science Experiment will spark curiosity and wonder amongst young people who may become the next generation of horticultural scientists.”
Commenting on the scheme Hillmount Garden Centre’s managing director, Alan Mercer said: “We host a Kids Gardening Club at Hillmount on the first Saturday of every month, as we are committed to encouraging young children to learn and enjoy all aspects of horticulture.
“We are very excited for the outcome of such an out of this world national campaign and it’s a privilege for us to provide the equipment Downey House needed to help their space biologists participation in the experiment lift off.”
Results of the experiment will be made available after all data has been submitted to the Royal Horticultural Society.