Moon Week: Pupils Handle Rock Samples From The Moon

Moon Week was very exciting at Forres Sandle Manor School as pupils were lucky enough to touch rock samples from space.

Pupils analysing the rock samples

Pupils examined soil and rock samples from the moon, looking at orange soil, anorthosite, breccia and highland soil. These were all collected on the 1970s Apollo Mission and was provided to the school by the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council.

The objects sent to the school by the STFC included a 1.2 billion year old Mars Rock and a 4.3 billion year old nickel meteorite. 

Soil samples provided by the STFC

Year groups ranging from Nursery to Year 8 carried out science experiments looking into the impact of meteorites and the geochemistry of the Moon’s surface.

During the week pupils learnt also about astronomy, planetary science, and the cosmos.

Pupils learnt a lot about space, and were left inspired after seeing objects from the moon. It even encouraged pupils to think about pursuing a career in STEM areas. 

Pupil showing the soil samples

STFC’s Executive Chair, Professor Mark Thomson, said: ‘Samples like these are vital in teaching us more about our solar system, allowing us to confront theory with fact. We hope this experience will encourage students to take up a career in science.’