BABINGTON HOUSE PUPILS BUILD ROCKET WITH TIM PEAKE

Pupils from Babington House School in Chislehurst came face to face with astronaut Tim Peake at a special event in London recently.

The six students were invited to meet the astronaut by Empiribox during a visit to New Scientist Live. Taking place at London’s Excel, the event is the world’s biggest science exhibition and attracts visitors from across the globe.

Year 11 pupils Tabitha, Amelia, Emily, Sophie, Ashanti and Neha spent time chatting with Tim and telling him what they enjoy about science at school. They even joined him in building a mini NASA space rocket, which they took home after the show.

Ashanti said “I was delighted when Tim Peake sat next to me. He asked me if I liked science and then we made rockets!”

Her classmate Emily said: “I couldn’t stop my hands from shaking…I can’t believe I made a rocket with an astronaut!”

Empiribox works with schools across the UK to engage children with science and help teachers deliver fun practical lessons. The company was part of the Harwell Campus exhibition stand at New Scientist Live.

Empiribox founder Dan Sullivan said: “We were delighted to give Babington House pupils the opportunity to meet Tim Peake. It’s not every day you have the chance to meet a real astronaut- let alone build a rocket with him! We hope that the experience inspired the girls to continue their love of science and STEM learning.”