PUPILS from Settle Primary School got their hands on rare samples of moon rocks and meteorites during a series of 'out of this world'  science lessons.

Children were encouraged to reach for the stars and learn more about the Universe around us during a week-long interactive experience of astronomy.

Children from Nursery to Year 6 were given the unique opportunity to actually touch a piece of space rock not of this Earth as they were allowed to handle some genuine meteorites during a week-long interactive experience of astronomy."

The rare samples were provided free of charge by the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), which provides educational packs in a bid to inspire young people to get involved in science and complement classroom studies.

The pack included a 1.2 billion-year-old piece of Mars rock and a 4.3 billion-year-old nickel meteorite. It is unlikely that students will ever get the chance to hold an object older than this, as Earth itself was formed 4.6 billion years ago.

The lunar samples were collected in the late 1960s and early 1970s during some of NASA’s first manned space missions to the Moon. During these missions, a staggering 382kg of material was brought back to Earth – mostly for use by scientists, but small quantities are used to develop educational packs.

Richard Wright, executive headteacher said: "We are thrilled to have been granted an exceptional opportunity to physically interact with rare lunar rock samples directly from the moon. The experience of touching and examining these celestial treasures has been nothing short of extraordinary. Witnessing the palpable enthusiasm among the children as they held these valuable specimens and explored them under the microscope was truly inspiring. I would like to express our immense gratitude for this unparalleled educational experience, which has seamlessly brought the wonders of the universe into our classrooms, significantly enhancing our ongoing study of Space in ways that exceed our imagination.”