Fourteen pupils at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School became space biologists today (April 19).

Two students from each year group at the Catholic school in Chestnut Drive, Wanstead were selected to take part in an experiment to see how space affects growth in plants.

The children planted 200 seeds, 100 of which were flown to the International Space Station (ISS) last September and the other 100 that stayed on earth.

The children will be checking on the seeds every day for six weeks, to see which ones grow stronger.

A Year 4 space biologist said: “I wanted to plant the space seeds because I have always loved space and nature.

“I would love to be an astronaut like Tim Peake one day.”

Another space biologist from Year 3 said: “I think gravity will affect how the space seeds grow.

“I think the plants will grow bigger but because there is no gravity in space I think they might grow downwards.”

The space seeds project is taking place in schools across the country and has been organised by the Royal Horticultural Society for School Gardening to mark British astronaut Tim Peake’s mission to the ISS.

Year One teacher Miss Snow said: “Anything practical and hands on the kids absolutely love because they can really get stuck in.

“Not only are the space biologists more than willing to give up their lunchtimes to take part in the project, the rest of the school have all written great pieces on Tim Peake and it’s got them really excited about space.”