Students at Burleigh Commnity College have recently returned from a mission at the Challenger Learning Centre at the National Space Centre in Leicester .

Imagine consoles instead of desks; computers instead of whiteboards; and databases instead of libraries. Students become scientists and engineers, and their lessons become missions. Their classroom? The Challenger Learning Centre.

Students were quickly divided into two teams, one based at Mission Control and one at the Space Experiment Unit. Each student was allocated one of eight roles that suited their own talents and interests, including Medical Technicians; Navigators and Communication Officers. Those in deep space had to plot the path of a comet, and make sure the probe could collect samples of rock, which scientists on board then analysed. Life support had to make sure astronauts didn’t lose oxygen, and medical staff made sure everyone remained healthy. They had to pull together as a team, averting crises in the deep void of space.

Mission Control kept contact with the space team only through the communications officer, whose dulcet tones we could be heard over the loud speakers, or through the bank of computer consoles in front of them. Mission Controllers had to stop performing calculations and sending electronic messages several times, as the emergency lights and sirens went off, telling them that their astronaut team-mates were in trouble.

Despite this, the mission was highly successful. A new comet was discovered and named ‘Burleigh’. Students also had the opportunity to view the galleries displaying space rockets, satellites and take part on the space station simulator. Students had an exciting and memorable experience. Overall, the mission was……successful!

Event organiser Jenny Bubber, a maths teacher at the College said:" The students thoroughly enjoyed this experience and their understanding of the relevant maths and science concepts has improved a lot as a consequence.