BROMSGROVE school pupils were recently treated to an 'out of this world' experience by University of Birmingham students with space-themed talks held within an inflatable planetarium.

More than 100 Catshill First, Catshill Middle and Fairfield First school students attended a variety of talks led by two PhD students and an astrophysics undergraduate.

George Smetana and Lucy Thomas, both 24, and Luke Booth, 21, led the discussions about an array of moons and constellations.

Lucy, a PhD student, said: "We translate our research and expertise in a way that is understandable for the children.”

The three-metre high planetarium was the first astronomy experience for many of the students, with gasps in awe as they pointed out the stars above them.

For more details about the inflatable planetarium, visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/physics/outreach

Mr Scott Smith, the headteacher of Fairfield First School, said: “It’s a brilliant experience that was thought provoking and inspired many questions.”

The university students answered many inquisitive comments from the pupils about a range of topics, from the formation of craters to the existence of aliens.

Ms Beddoes, a teaching assistant from Catshill Middle School who helped coordinate the event, thanked the university students “for the inspiring talks that enthralled our students.”