Young scientists experiment with seeds that have been into space with Tim Peake

Out of this world youngsters embarked on a science project with a difference this week.

Year three pupils at Trinity St Stephen First School in Windsor started investigating seeds that have been into space on Wednesday.

In September 2kg of rocket seeds were flown to the International Space Station (ISS), where British astronaut Tim Peake is a crew member.

The seeds spent several months with him in microgravity before returning to earth in March.

The children will grow the 100 seeds alongside seeds that have not been to space and measure the differences over seven weeks.

They will not know which packet contained which seeds until all results have been collected and analysed by professional biostatisticians.

The experiment is part of Rocket Science, an educational project launched by the RHS Campaign for School Gardening and the UK Space Agency.

Teacher and science leader at the school Emily Manners said: “This experiment is a fantastic way of teaching our children to think more scientifically and share their findings with the whole school.

“It is a wonderful opportunity and might just inspire them to think about becoming a scientist in the future.”