A TEAM of over-the-moon students have returned from America after comparing notes with some of the country's top space scientists. The four year 10 youngsters from Churchill Community School have been exploring NASA space stations after winning a competit

A TEAM of over-the-moon students have returned from America after comparing notes with some of the country's top space scientists.The four year 10 youngsters from Churchill Community School have been exploring NASA space stations after winning a competition against pupils from more than 750 schools across the country.The group, called Team Gravity, took part in mock space missions, practised moon walking and met astronauts at space stations in Florida and Texas.Amber Hartley-Watts, Joseph Plumb, Rebecca Voisey and Thomas Watson-Follet won their places on the two-week trip after they were challenged to come up with a solution to the problems astronauts encounter in space.They designed a space suit which helps combat the problem of muscles fading away when they are carrying out vital research. The contest, called Edge Into Space, was organised by the International Space School Education Trust.During the trip, the students visited Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where they learnt to moon walk and completed simulated space missions.They also watched a shuttle land and have dinner with an astronaut and space engineer.The group also visited Johnson Space Center in Texas where the pupils had the privilege of witnessing the unveiling of the Saturn 5 rocket, which had been restored after being used 30 years ago.They also had chance to relax though, with pool parties, top hotels, dinner with astronauts and a trip to SeaWorld on their itinerary.Amber Hartley-Watts said: "Before this experience I was not particularly interested in science."Seeing it in action rather than just sitting learning in a classroom is a lot more interesting.