THE SECOND Abertay Space School blasted off in Dundee on Saturday when it launched from the Discovery Point.

It was the first of many Space School Workshops, which will be delivered every month until the summer, when pupils will attend lessons manned by actual astronauts and other staff from the NASA Space Centre in Houston.

This year around 150 youngsters from primary six across Dundee, Fife and Perth and Kinross are taking part in three centres at Abertay University, St Andrews University and Perth College.

The first session took place in Discovery Point and Sensation in Dundee, where pupils were given an introduction to the solar system and what it means to be a space explorer.

Abertay depute principal Professor John Palfreyman said, “Dundee is well known as the City of Discovery and it is crucial that we keep the spirit of adventure alive.

“The pupils attending Space School are the scientists of tomorrow. I sincerely hope they go on to make new and interesting discoveries throughout the rest of their lives.”

During the six month programme Space School students will hear experts talk about a wide range of subjects from astronomy and physics to computing and engineering.