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Warwick pupils hold the moon and stars in their hands

Pupils in Warwick have held the moon in their hands thanks to a rare chance to have NASA space rock and meteorite samples into the school.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Dec 2015, 10:39 GMT
Warwick prep pupils and science teachers with the moon and meteorites.Warwick prep pupils and science teachers with the moon and meteorites.
Warwick prep pupils and science teachers with the moon and meteorites.

Priceless samples of billion-year-old space rock and bits of Mars landed at Warwick Prep School for one week in November.

As well as taking part in interactive astronomy lessons, children were able to hold hand-sized meteorites and touch real pieces of life from the 6.6billion-year-old solar system.

Included in the NASA bundle was a 1.2 billion-year-old piece of Mars and a 4.3 billion year old nickel meteorite-the oldest object you can touch.

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Warwick Prep pupils Charles and Isabelle with the moon and a meteorite.Warwick Prep pupils Charles and Isabelle with the moon and a meteorite.
Warwick Prep pupils Charles and Isabelle with the moon and a meteorite.

The NASA lunar samples provided by the Science and Technology Facilities Council were collected in the late 1960s during the first manned missions to the moon.

Karen Charl, Head of Science, said: “It has been a huge privilege to have these very special materials in school this week.

“A tremendous amount of effort has gone into obtaining them on loan and it has enabled the pupils here to experience something totally unique.”

Sara Wilby, Science Teacher, said: “The security of the lunar rock was taken very seriously as NASA understandably regards the moon rocks as irreplaceable.

“The children and staff have been very excited to hold and feel pieces originating from outer space. I think we have a few budding astronauts on our hands.”

Related topics:NASAMars