HUNDREDS of excited youngsters were over the moon to meet their hero at a space conference in York today.

British astronaut Major Tim Peake, who launched to the International Space Station in December 2015, was the special guest at the UK Space Agency’s Schools Conference at the University of York.

There was a welcome surprise for Tim, as it was announced he had been made the UK’s first honorary STEM ambassador. The National STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Learning Centre is based at the University of York.


Tim gave an inspiring talk about his time living and working on the International Space Station to about 400 students from schools across Britain, who successfully applied to attend the event.

Children were then able to present their work to Tim through talks and exhibitions, as well as experts from the UK Space Agency, the European Space Agency (ESA), partner organisations, and the space sector.

During his talk, Tim said: "The most special part of being in space is the view of planet Earth."

Tim, who is heading to Houston in Texas straight after the conference today, explained that he spent two weeks in quarantine before his Principia mission, which lasted for six months. He told youngsters about his "wild ride" into space.

"I found it very addictive the feeling of G-force [travelling into space]," he commented.

Tim says for the first few days in space, he was "overwhelmed" by the view of Earth from space. "It was quite incredible to see the detail", he added.

While in space for six months, Tim had the opportunity to do a space walk and control a rover back on Earth from the space station.

As well as carrying out science work, Tim says an important part of the mission was about engaging young people.

The UK Space Agency has invested £3million in the biggest education and outreach initiative ever undertaken for a ESA astronaut.

Young people have taken part in a broad spectrum of curriculum-linked projects, including scientific experiments, coding challenges, family shows at local science centres, creative writing and more.

Tim also told students about the perilous journey back to Earth and described the first smells after they landed.

He said: "All you can smell when you first open the doors is burning.

"But when you smell the fresh air it is beautiful."

Among the children at the conference was a group from South Bank Space Club, who are all pupils at Knavesmire Primary School in York.

The youngsters presented their findings from all the experiments and space related activities they have taken part in that were inspired by Tim's mission.

They have carried out experiments about gravity, launched rockets and even laid out a scale model of the solar system on the Knavesmire using fruit.

A member of the club, Nell Bannister, aged nine, said: "He’s very brave, he makes me think that you shouldn’t ever stop trying even if new things are a bit scary at first."

Fellow member, Rowan Ward, also aged nine, said: "I absolutely want to be an astronaut when I’m grown up, if Tim can do it then I will too."

Dan Jones, a teacher from St Wilfrid's School in York, was with a group of students from years five and six who had written and performed their own space-themed song for ukuleles.

After the conference Mr Jones told The Press: "It's inspirational for children to meet someone so down to earth who has done something so astonishing. He had time for everyone and was genuinely interested in what the children had to say."

Deirdre Souch, a teaching assistant was with six Year 2 pupils from Hempland Primary, all dressed in space costumes, and said: "Tim Peake was enthusiastic about everything he talked about. He talked about his training, his flight up and his re-entry into the atmosphere. He made it accessible for all the children."

One of the group, Ollie Bradbury, who is six, was dressed as the International Space Station with a miniature version of his real-life hero suspended from his costume embarking on a space walk. 

"He said it was cool," said Ollie, after meeting Tim Peake.

Hempland teacher Gareth Dyer was with six Year six students, and said the opportunity to meet their hero at the conference was the highlight of more than a year-long study of space and related topics. 

"It was amazing. He stopped and spoke to every single child and shook their hand. He answered their questions, and not with just one word answers; he went into detail.

"The children didn't look over-awed. They were quite happy asking questions.

One of his students, Irie Theyers, in year 6, said: "It was really good. I shook Tim Peake's hand. The best part of the day was the poster exhibition because we could look at what other people had done."

Their group's presentation to other young delegates focussed on what they had gained from being  members of the school's STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) club.

"I explained about what made STEM club so special," said ten-year-old Irie who wants to become a space biologist. "You dare mighty things."

The conference continues tomorrow at the university with events open to the public, including talks, film showings, an exhibition of UK Space Agency projects and family-friendly workshops.