THREE teens from a Poole school are learning the skills needed to become an astronaut this week on a trip to NASA headquarters.

Ashley White, Sophie Warren, and Hannah Ballinger, all 17, from Magna Academy in Adastral Road, headed to the USA on Tuesday as part of an initiative by Space Education Adventures (SEA).

During their four-day trip, the ladies will get to meet astronauts who have been into space, look around the main NASA buildings and undergo an astronaut training experience.

Space Education Adventures aims to inspire young people by providing opportunities to experience first-hand the science and engineering of space flight and space-based activities.

Sophie said: “At first, we had to send a letter and an email to the company explaining why we wanted to go and how we would extend what we learned out into the community.

She added: “We also had to do a presentation to staff at the academy, an interview with a test, and another maths and space exam. The last stage was coasteering with nine other students.”

Paul Dallyn, head of sixth form, said: “I think that we started the application process in mid-June, so it has taken several months to get to this stage. Hannah, Ashley and Sophie will get to do all kinds of things including an astronaut training walk, micro-gravity wall, and will get to take a trip in a space shuttle flight simulator.

“They will then come back and tell the other students at the academy about what they learnt, and all of this will help them with a range of skills to support their future job prospects.

“It’s a fantastic once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all three of the students.”