Friday 22 April 2016

Rocket seeds have landed from space!

In partnership with the UK Space Agency and Royal Horticultural Society, we are thrilled to be taking part in Project Rocket Science!

On Wednesday we sowed 2 packets of rocket seeds, each packet contained 100 tiny seeds.  One packet has spent time on the International Space Station, the other packet has not but we don't know which is which!

Caitlyn and Molly made 200 labels from a clear plastic cups.  Why do you think it was important for the labels to be clear?  The labels will help distinguish between both sets of seeds and will aid us when calculating the percentage of seed germination later on.

Yemi and a enthusiastic group of Year 6 pupils, carefully prepared the trays by filling them with a good-quality compost and then using a dibber, created 2cm deep holes ready for the tiny seeds.

After giving them a good water, we moved them to a well-lit windowsill and look forward to turning and watering them every two days.

'I am so excited about being a space biologist and finding out if we can grow yummy food on other planets that are so far away from Earth!'  Yemi, Year 4




The 'Rocket Science' project is designed to introduce pupils to the practice of working to a structured scientific method, as well as showing pupils the fascinating, 'hidden' science behind horticulture.  Throughout the experiment, pupils will measure and record key data for their seeds as they germinate and grow.  At the end of the experiment, schools upload their data onto a national database, enabling every school taking part to contribute to a global scientific understanding of growing plants in space.


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