Three… two… one… we have lift off!

MAS students embark on nationwide science experiment

Students at Mulberry Academy Shoreditch have been selected to receive a packet of 100 seeds that have spent several months in space. The seeds have been sent as part of Rocket Science, an educational project launched by the RHS Campaign for School Gardening and the UK Space Agency to inspire careers in STEM subjects.

MAS students will become space biologists, growing the seeds from space alongside normal seeds and measuring the differences over seven weeks. It will remain a mystery as to which seeds were on the International Space Station until results from all 10,000 chosen schools have been collected by the RHS Campaign for School Gardening and analysed by professional biostatisticians.

Through taking part in this experiment our students are experiencing first-hand the ground-breaking research into preserving human life on other planets in the future. The scientists will use the plants to think more about the difficulties surrounding growing fresh food in challenging climates and the requirements of long-term space missions.

Mr Palmer, Science Teacher at Mulberry Academy Shoreditch, says: “We are very excited to be taking part in Rocket Science. This experiment is a fantastic way of teaching our students to think more scientifically and share their findings with the whole academy and our local community.