Guernsey Press

Primary schools’ pupils given a chance to study moon rocks

AMHERST and La Mare de Carteret primary school pupils had a chance to get their hands on some priceless materials as part of their studies of the solar system.

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Sophie Robins, left, and Mia Dorey, both 10, were among the pupils from La Mare de Carteret Primary to be taken to Amherst Primary to examine in detail rocks brought back from NASA moon landings. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 20391868)

Amherst teacher Val Kilpatrick looks after the creative curriculum for both Years 5 and 6 and had organised the delivery to the school of a selection of samples of rock and soil brought back from the NASA moon landings, as well as pieces of meteorite and fossils.

An invitation was sent to La Mare pupils and 43 were bussed to Amherst to attend a special exhibition in the school hall.

Mrs Kilpatrick said it had taken about 14-15 months to arrange for the samples to be brought to the school, such was the level of demand for them.

There was also a lot of security involved.

The case containing the items was delivered by courier and only after they had arrived was Mrs Kilpatrick given the code to unlock the case.

As well as the actual samples, she said there was a lot of background information supplied so the pupils would be able to have lessons based on what was sent, but the exhibition day had all been about engagement.

Full story in Saturday's Guernsey Press