A NEW immersive space education project, “Mission VR: Launch Into the Universe”, which successfully launched in December with keen STEM students at Neyland Community School, is to be rolled out across Pembrokeshire in 2026.

The innovative pilot programme from the Dragon LNG Darwin Experience will also include pupils from Ysgol Bro Gwaun and Prendergast CP in January, ahead of a wider county roll-out planned from February onwards.

The project has been made possible thanks to funding from the Royal Astronomical Society, which enabled the purchase of 15 Meta Quest 3S virtual reality headsets. This investment allows the Darwin Centre to significantly expand its provision and incorporate virtual and mixed reality into its popular space-themed workshops delivered with physicist Dr Mark Smith.

Mission VR uses cutting-edge virtual reality technology to transport pupils beyond the classroom and into space, allowing them to explore the International Space Station, journey through black holes, experience microgravity, and reflect on our place in the universe through multisensory learning. The programme blends high-quality scientific content with hands-on activities, designed to ignite curiosity and deepen understanding of space science, physics, and human exploration.

Schools can choose from flexible half-day or full-day workshop formats. The half-day focuses on “Life and Science Aboard the International Space Station”, combining expert-led presentations with an authentic VR simulation developed with NASA input. Pupils experience moving in microgravity, docking spacecraft, carrying out spacewalks and learning how astronauts live, work, exercise and even make coffee in orbit.

The full-day option offers a comprehensive journey “From Earth to the Edge”, exploring topics such as the Big Bang, the Solar System, Moon landings, black holes, galaxies, Mars missions and the James Webb Space Telescope, alongside interactive activities including cosmic quizzes, model-building, riddles and constellation projects, before finishing with the VR experience.

For the VR element, classes can choose between two powerful applications: “Mission: ISS”, which simulates life aboard the space station with astronaut-guided content, and “Spheres”, a narrated, immersive exploration of the universe featuring chapters by Millie Bobby Brown, Jessica Chastain and Patti Smith.

Following the success of this week’s pilot at Neyland Community School, with Ysgol Bro Gwaun and Prendergast CP also taking part, interest is already growing from across the county. Due to limited availability this academic year, only a small number of additional schools will be able to access the programme in 2025/26; however, Mission VR will be fully embedded into the Darwin Centre’s core education programme from the 2026/27 academic year.

Samantha Williams, manager of the Darwin Centre said:

“Mission VR is about giving young people experiences they would otherwise never have access to. Thanks to the support of the Royal Astronomical Society, pupils can now experience life in space themselves — exploring the ISS, floating in microgravity and developing a real understanding of life beyond Earth. Watching pupils understand complex scientific ideas through VR has been incredibly powerful.”

Schools interested in booking Mission VR: Launch Into the Universe are encouraged to register their interest early due to limited availability.