A BUDDING young astronaut from the Isle of Wight hopes to attend space school this summer — and inspire other girls to pursue careers in science.

Ventnor Free School student Amber Wilmott, 15, has organised a sponsored run to pay for her place at the Mission Discovery space school in London, run by the International Space School Educational Trust.

She has pledged to run ten miles to raise £950 for course and accommodation costs.

The summer school, which takes place in July, will include presentations from NASA astronauts, rocket scientists and world-renowned professors.

Amber said: "I have always liked the idea of working with NASA as an astronaut or someone behind the rocket launches — I've always been fascinated by space.

"I am a very motivated, determined and hard working person, and this is an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity.

"I believe girls need more encouragement to get into STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) related careers. I hope that by publicising this, other girls will see there are lots of great opportunities out there."

At the summer school, students will design an experiment that would benefit the human race — on Earth, the moon, Mars and beyond. The successful experiments will be tested on the international space station.

Amber, who is currently studying for GCSEs in English, maths, double science, drama, PE, history and French, said: "I am interested in space tourism. Taking a holiday to Mars in the future would be a life-changing experience I hope everyone can participate in one day."

Amber has been training three times a week for her sponsored run, which she aims to complete on Saturday, June 29.

If anyone would like to help Amber reach her goal, donations can be made online at https://uk.gofundme.com/international-space-school-educational-trust-fund

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