YOUNGSTERS guided a space craft to meet a comet as part of a summer school for gifted pupils. The Rendezvous with a Comet week at The Priory School, in Bedford Road, Hitchin, was one of 22 summer schools held throughout Hertfordshire as part of the coun

YOUNGSTERS guided a space craft to meet a comet as part of a summer school for gifted pupils.

The 'Rendezvous with a Comet' week at The Priory School, in Bedford Road, Hitchin, was one of 22 summer schools held throughout Hertfordshire as part of the county council's Gifted and Talented programme.

Altogether 34 Year 6 students spent three days on mission training.

They were taught communication skills, science, fitness training and writing CVs to apply for their role on the mission.

One day they visited the Challenger Learning Centre at the National Space Centre in Leicester. They split into two teams, and the space team guided a space craft to meet the comet Enche with the help of advice from the mission control team.

They also carried out experiments such as measuring meteorite impacts using remote arms.

Gifted and Talented co-ordinator June Wischhusen said: "It gave them a chance to work with new people, at times under stress and pressure and learn things about themselves."

Two Year 10 students photographed and videoed the week with the intention of editing it into a DVD.