At Tudor Grange Academy Redditch, our Year 9 pupils have been reaching for the stars—literally. Over the past academic year, a dedicated group of students has been working after school on an ambitious science project exploring Earth’s atmosphere and beyond. In partnership with the Royal Society in London, and supported by a PhD student from the University of Warwick, the project—TGAR Orbit—has given students the opportunity to engage in real scientific research.

Thanks to a successful application for a Royal Society Partnership Grant, our pupils have been tasked with designing and launching a meteorological weather balloon to the edge of the stratosphere. Their goal? To collect valuable scientific data on atmospheric pressure, temperature, and greenhouse gas emissions, while also capturing stunning images of the Earth’s curvature.

With around 12 Year 9 students involved, the team meets weekly after school, each member taking on a specific role within the mission. The project has not only sparked scientific curiosity but has also helped raise science capital among students and their peers—opening doors to experiences they may never have had otherwise.

Although the team hoped to launch the balloon before the summer term, delays due to air traffic control restrictions and sourcing specialist parts from Europe have pushed the launch to September. Like any real space mission, setbacks are part of the journey—and our students have shown incredible patience and perseverance throughout.

We are immensely proud of their dedication and look forward to seeing TGAR Orbit take flight in the new academic year.