1. As part of the payload on his rocket, Tim carried a packet of seeds. These will have flown with him up to the space station and experienced the same traumatic vibrations and g forces of launch, and the radiation and microgravity of space. After spending six months in space, Tim gave the seeds to Scott Kelly, an experienced NASA astronaut who was serving on the ISS with him. Scott returned to earth on 1st March, bringing the seeds with him. As part of the payload on his rocket, Tim carried a packet of seeds. These will have flown with him up to the space station and experienced the same traumatic vibrations and g forces of launch, and the radiation and microgravity of space. After spending six months in space, Tim gave the seeds to Scott Kelly, an experienced NASA astronaut who was serving on the ISS with him. Scott returned to earth on 1st March, bringing the seeds with him. This December, Tim Peake, the first British ESA astronaut, was launched into space to spend 7 months on the international space station A group of our sixth formers cheered him on during the launch at the science museum in London, getting themselves featured on the website buzzfeed as a result.

2. The seeds will be delivered to Seven Kings after the Easter holidays along with an identical packet of seeds that have remained on earth. We won't be told which seeds are which until after we grow both packets and compare them. No one knows how well the seeds will grow, compared to the ones left on earth and the knowledge of how things like seeds cope with space flight will be vital when planning future missions to Mars and beyond.

3. While the experiment may not quite have the glamour of Tim Peake and his fellow astronauts, this is an opportunity to take part in real space science and actually handle for yourself objects that have flown in space. Whatever we discover about the growths of these seeds, we will be able to say we have made a small contribution to the history of spaceflight. Students wishing to help conduct this important scientific research will need to write a short application letter (no more than a page) to Mr Joshi and deliver it to the science office by 11th April. Students from all year groups are invited to apply, and you certainly don't have to be taking physics A level or triple science to take part. You will however be expected to commit around half an hour per week to the project. Numbers are strictly limited to 6 students. For further information, contact Mr Joshi at r.joshi@sevenkings.school Deadline for applications is 11th April, the first day back after the Easter Holidays.r.joshi@sevenkings.school