Lunar Landing

Pupils had the opportunity to handle samples of the Moon as well as meteorites from Mars and the asteroid belt.

The Physics Department organised the sessions in conjunction with the Science & Technology Facilities Council, who loan out priceless samples from NASA to UK schools.

Every student in school, from our youngest Junior School pupils to Sixth Formers, were able to handle the lunar samples and meteorites, some of which had been found in sand and polar deserts. Pupils made the most of the opportunity to learn more about the Apollo missions, where the lunar samples were collected, and look ahead to future space missions, including the Artemis mission which aims to put the first woman and the next man on the Moon.

Pupils commented: “It was thrilling to actually be able to hold matter from the Moon and our wider Solar System. It was amazing how heavy some of the iron meteorites were! We were very lucky to be able to handle a meteorite from the Moon and from Mars – rocks that have been broken from the surface of the astronomical body and entered our atmosphere.”