Tewkesbury Academy’s science department will help students embrace their love of astronomy through the school’s continued participation in the Space to Learn national project, funded by the UK Space Agency.
This year, the program welcomed local expert Dave Allden, who led a physics-focused masterclass exploring the challenges of surviving in space.
The session was attended by Year 9 students who have expressed an interest in astronomy-related careers or are considering separate sciences at GCSE.
They were expertly guided through the perils of space travel, beginning with a refresher on forces and motion and the calculations required to launch astronauts and rockets into space.
The workshop also delved into the chemistry of fuel and combustion, featuring exciting demonstrations with mini whoosh bottles. Students gained hands-on experience in understanding pressure differences by using mini marshmallows inside syringes – a fun and visual representation of how the human body reacts to varying atmospheric pressures in space. This led to an engaging discussion about the many ways space presents dangers to astronauts.
To cap off the event, students designed and built their own model rockets, which were launched high above the school grounds, showcasing their creativity and newfound knowledge in action.
Dr Alice Kennedy, Director of Science at Tewkesbury Academy, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity to highlight the science, scope, and possibilities within the UK space industry.
“It was amazing to see how engaged, enthusiastic, and interested the students were throughout the session.”
