SCHOOLCHILDREN are reaching for the stars by becoming space biologists.

Year Two pupils from St Patrick’s School, in Consett, have been taking part in an experiment using seeds from space.

In September, 2kg of rocket seeds were flown to the International Space Station and spent several months in microgravity, before being returned to Earth.

St Patrick’s is one of several schools around the country to have been sent a packet of 100 seeds, which pupils will grow alongside seeds which have remained earthbound and measure the difference after seven weeks.

Pupils do not know which packet contains which seeds until the results have been collected and analysed by professional biostatisticians.

The Rocket Science experiment has been organised by the Royal Horticultural Society’s Campaign for School Gardening and the UK Space Agency.

The out-of-this-world science experiment is designed to help pupils 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.

Teacher Joanne Kelly said: “We are very excited to be taking part in Rocket Science.

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