YOUNG scientists are to conduct an out of this world experiment — with seeds that have been to space.

Pupils at Sacred Heart RC Primary School in Westhoughton, and Little Lever High School are preparing to embark on a voyage of discovery by growing the special seeds.

In September, 2kg of rocket seeds were flown to the International Space Station (ISS) on Soyuz 44S where they will spend several months in microgravity before returning to earth in March 2016.

The seeds have been sent as part of Rocket Science, an educational project launched by the RHS Campaign for School Gardening and the UK Space Agency.

The two schools are among 10,000 schools to receive a packet of 100 seeds, They will grow them alongside seeds normal seeds and measure the differences over seven weeks.

The pupils will not know which seed packet contains which seeds until all results have been collected by the RHS Campaign for School Gardening and analysed by professional statisticians.

The experiment will enable the pupils to think more about how we could preserve human life on another planet in the future.

Chris Brannan, Science Subject Leader at Sacred Heart, said: “We are very excited to be taking part in Rocket Science. This experiment is a fantastic way of teaching our pupils to think more scientifically and share their findings with the whole school. The Science Squad will be responsible for reporting the Year 6 pupils’ progress to the whole school community."

The experiment will be run by the school's science club.

Taylor Borrill, aged 10, said: "This is important because one day we may have to leave earth, if the population continues to grow and grow, and we need to find out if we can grow food in space.

"We are exploring Mars now so we need to know if we can grow food there too."

Abbie Parker, aged 10, added: "I was really shocked and excited to find out we were involved in the project to see how the seeds will grow."

James Kaye, also aged 10, added: "I think the seeds will be affected by being in space."

Applications to take part in Rocket Science are still open and will close in March next year or until all packs have been allocated. Schools and educational groups can apply at rhs.org.uk/schoolgardening.