Pupils from a Hitchin school were over the moon to meet a globally renowned British astronaut as part of their science club project.

Students at Whitehill Junior School on Whitehill Road had an out of this world experience meeting former International Space Station crew member Major Tim Peake – who is only the sixth British astronaut to go on board the ISS.

The school runs a Year 6 science enrichment club called Young Einsteins, which aims to build on pupils’ interest in STEM-related subjects through exposure to real life scientific projects. Students were inspired by Tim Peake’s journey to the ISS and undertook a project entitled ‘Mission to Mars’ which investigated why there are several space missions set to visit the planet Mars.

Some of the Young Einstein project team were fortunate enough to meet Tim in person at the recent Principia Schools Conference in Portsmouth which gave pupils the opportunity to showcase their work linked to Tim’s mission to the ISS.

Dr Andrew Christie, who has been working with the pupils, said: “The event was a fantastic success and it was great to see so many children having been inspired by Tim’s achievements. I felt proud to watch our pupils make the most of the opportunity and share their experiences with such maturity and confidence.”

Upon returning home to Hitchin, Whitehill pupil Jack Beach said the educational visit had been the best two days of his life.

Whitehill are now looking forward to starting their new Young Einstein project entitled ‘Sport and the Human Body’ which is being sponsored by a Partnership Grant from the Royal Society.

Whitehill headteacher Steve Mills told the Comet: “The members of the team who were successful with their entry and therefore got to go with Dr Christie to the event are now all in Year 7 at their respective secondary schools. Therefore from my point of view it was also a wonderful example of collaboration between Whitehill and five local secondaries.

“I am sure the pupils will be able to share their experiences with their current schools upon their return.

“I am grateful to the headteachers of the schools for their support with Whitehill’s project.”