Out of this world

OASIS Academy head boy Ben Bardsley has won a place at a two-week space camp in Houston, Texas

TALENTED young scientist Ben Bardsley is over the moon after being chosen to take part in an international space mission in the United States.

The head boy at Oasis Academy Oldham, Hollins, is one of only 54 pupils from 23 countries who have won a place at this summer's annual United Space School in Houston, Texas ­- home to one of the world centres of space exploration.

Only a handful of UK students will take part in the intensive two-week programme where they will work on a project to plan a manned mission to Mars, getting guidance from professionals and taking part in activities at the likes of the world-famous NASA Johnson Space Centre and the University of Houston's Clear Lake campus where the school is based.

Ben (15), of Housley Avenue, Chadderton, found out about the programme from his form tutor at Oasis, Ben Farnworth, who himself won a competition to teach at the space school six years ago and doubles up as its head teacher.

The teenager had to submit a detailed application before being interviewed via Skype.

"I didn't think in a million years I would get accepted. When the email came through, me and my family started screaming ­- it was so unbelievable," admitted Ben, whose GCSE subjects include triple science.

"It is a great opportunity to learn so much about about a topic I enjoy so thoroughly."

Ben's love of science was inspired by his grandfather, a British Airways engineer who worked on Concorde.

Ben flies to Amercia on July 23, the day after his birthday, and will stay with a family connected to the space industry.

"Hearing my grandfather's stories about his work inspired me to take an interest in aerospace engineering and from there it has switched to astronomy.

"I find the limitless possibilities of space fascinating," added Ben who will do his A-levels in the sixth form at Blue Coat School and hopes to study either engineering or physics at university.

Mr Farnworth, faculty leader of technical at the Hollins Road academy, added: "Ben is very talented, focussed and studious.

"It will literally be two weeks of hard work from first thing in the morning to late at night."

Ben's family will have to pay around £1,200 for his flights and tuition fees at the space school, part of the private Foundation for International Space Education.

They are hoping to receive support.

Ben's dad Karl said: "We are so proud of him. His hard work and dedication have paid off.

"It's a brilliant achievement."